needs tips for sewing faux fur ...

[spectrabrite]

I am trying to sew a playa coat, every time I try to sew on my machine the thread breaks. I am not sure where to go from here or how to fix. tension etc?

[Elderberry]

I guess I would consider here 3 things(assuming you are using a new needle). One being not just the thickness of the needle, but the type, as in what type of bevel in the hole and the shape of same. Are you using a "Jeans/Denim needle for instance and Two, what is the type of thread you are using and is it what is needed for these thicker fabrics and is it suited to the neede and Three, what is your machine tension set at? Would easing your tension be of help?

You could also try sewing just using the hand wheel.

And you could try using a sewing hammer.

http://www.sewconsult.com/sewing_machin ... ooting.htm

http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/12/tip ... -faux-fur/

Please don't ask me any follow-up questions. I know nothing about sewing. Your question just peaked my interest and I decided to Google it. (There's plenty more on this topic on Google, FYI)

[Ratty]

Here's some things to think about.

Fur comes in all kinds. Is the back of it stiff and scratchy like a rug or soft enough for a baby's skin? If the backing is firm and scratchy it will cut through thin thread. (Try saying that 3 times fast.) Use a needle meant for jeans. They have a sharp point and are industrial strength.

Is the fur so thick that you have to squeeze it under the presser foot? This can throw everything off and your face plate under your fabric can also cut your thread. Get out your little scissors and sheer that sheep. Cut away the fur along the edge where you are going to sew. Brush it afterwards with a wirebrush, animal brush or a fine hairbrush. I use wirebrushes on all my fur.

All threads are NOT equal. $1.00 is not as good a $3.50 thread. If you already have a bunch of thread give them a pull and use the strongest one. Color doesn't matter. Always use the same thread on the top and on the bobbin. Otherwise you will have tangles and problems.

Some people give up and sew fur by hand.

[LowePro]

Ug I did a project with faux fur 2 years ago, it's hard stuff to work with. I'm a total newbie, but internet taught me a few tricks. You can run a strip of blue masking tape (The "delicate" one) along the edge of fur fabric to keep the fur out of the way. Leave a few millimeters exposed where the seam will go, comb the fur over with you hand and put the tape on the fur gently so you can peel it off when you're done. Tape both pieces of fabric this way. Line up the fabric pieces fur-sides together and pin them. This way the fur is sandwiched between the fabric backing. Sew it pretty slowly w/ the machine. Use a long straight stitch. Be careful backing up.

You will get bits of fur everywhere! It's kind of a nightmare. I won't do it again haha.

http://www.fleecefun.com/1/post/2014/09 ... ricks.html

[Ratty]

EVERY time you make a cut into fur brush it with a wire brush. You can buy one at the hardware store very cheap. I don't try to pin fur projects. I use clamps like you have in an office , clothespins or forceps.

[Drawingablank]

I actually sew fur items for sale, and everything I needed to learn about how to do it I learned in this video:

[media]

[pretty_monster]

as others have said, make sure you have the right kind of needle.

i find that prep makes all the difference with fur. it's "time consuming" but you'll make up the time on the back end by not having start/stop/fix/start.

comb all of the fur inward, away from the seam line and pin, pin, pin the crap out of it. it'll keep everything as flat and flush as possible. it'll also minimize creep and keep your needle from picking up hairs.

i like upholstery pins. they're long and sturdy and the heads won't disappear into the backing or fur.

[Drawingablank]

Quilting pins work well too. lomg, easy to handle, and they are less likely to break the needle.

[pretty_monster]

Quilting pins work well too. lomg, easy to handle, and they are less likely to break the needle.

and whatever pins you use, GO SLOOOOOOW. you can watch your needle slip past pins if you go slow. go too fast and you'll jam right into one and break something.

a tangent: i noticed she said in that video that pinning the way she does isn't the "usual way". i... had no idea. that's how i've always pinned everything.

[spectrabrite]

I am using brother 90 weight thread wich is meant to be bobbin thread in my embroidery machine and is very good and strong

the backs of the furs are all soft and not rough or thick

the furs do push up on the foot, I will try shaving down the sew lines

Here's some things to think about.

Fur comes in all kinds. Is the back of it stiff and scratchy like a rug or soft enough for a baby's skin? If the backing is firm and scratchy it will cut through thin thread. (Try saying that 3 times fast.) Use a needle meant for jeans. They have a sharp point and are industrial strength.

Is the fur so thick that you have to squeeze it under the presser foot? This can throw everything off and your face plate under your fabric can also cut your thread. Get out your little scissors and sheer that sheep. Cut away the fur along the edge where you are going to sew. Brush it afterwards with a wirebrush, animal brush or a fine hairbrush. I use wirebrushes on all my fur.

All threads are NOT equal. $1.00 is not as good a $3.50 thread. If you already have a bunch of thread give them a pull and use the strongest one. Color doesn't matter. Always use the same thread on the top and on the bobbin. Otherwise you will have tangles and problems.

Some people give up and sew fur by hand.

[spectrabrite]

what is the correct needle to use for furs??

[pretty_monster]

denim or leather needle, ideally.

to be honest, i'm a lazy fuck and tend to use universal whenever i can get away with it. i hate changing out needles i get through most projects just fine if i take the time to prep really well and go slow with my stitches.

[Ratty]

Lollergirl your 'lazy' comment hits home with me. I grab any old needle and never change thread color unless I have to. Hey, it's Burning Man not the damn prom.

[Ratty]

I tried to post a link to my 'fall back' info on needles but it's a pdf file and won't post here. If you google Schmetz needle chart all your questions will be answered.

After looking at several pages they recommend a quilters machine needle for fake fur. I'll have to read some more to find out what it is and why I should buy some. I don't think it would fit my machine because it's not industrial but I would like to know the general reasoning.

If your fabric resists being fed through you can always put tissue paper under and over the project. Sew right through paper and all. It rips right off afterwards. This is especially helpful if it is rubbery.

[trilobyte]

I'd +1 the stronger needle and better thread tips, for fur I'd generally use a heavier duty coat thread. I'd also recommend not doing the job on an embroidery machine, ideally you want to use a regular machine that's got a walking foot. You'll notice that a lot of the advice above recommends going slow... they're right. Fur can be tricky to work with, have patience... and good luck with your project!

[Drawingablank]

Needle wise I just use whatever happens to be in the machine, but personally find it slightly easier to use a needle meant for knits - they have a ball point which helps it slide between the threads rather than through the threads. I believe they also call them jersey needles.

[spectrabrite]

this tip I think will be great! I was having trouble with it feeding, it isnt rubbery but it wasnt going along as it should

If your fabric resists being fed through you can always put tissue paper under and over the project. Sew right through paper and all. It rips right off afterwards. This is especially helpful if it is rubbery.

[spectrabrite]

I think you mis read what I wrote, I am using a reg machine, I am using a 90wt thread that I had for the embroidery machine because it is stronger than the thread I tried first.

I also have a computerized embroidery machine but it is not getting used in this project

I'd +1 the stronger needle and better thread tips, for fur I'd generally use a heavier duty coat thread. I'd also recommend not doing the job on an embroidery machine, ideally you want to use a regular machine that's got a walking foot. You'll notice that a lot of the advice above recommends going slow... they're right. Fur can be tricky to work with, have patience... and good luck with your project!

[Ozness]

Hi. I am yet to start creating my outfits, but have bought some awesome faux fur to add to a few items, and the girl at the shop suggested that I just use fabric adhesive/glue rather than try and sew it on. Is this an option, or is it unlikely to hold? I'm thinking I glue the majority of it and just sew by hand in a few integral areas to ensure it doesn't come loose.....

[spectrabrite]

I dont think fabric glue would hold up

[Elderberry]

There's a discussion on fabric glue and patches here, but I think the comments would apply to fur too. Maybe even more so because of the weight of fur.

[CyanEssence]

Here's some things to think about.

Is the fur so thick that you have to squeeze it under the presser foot? This can throw everything off and your face plate under your fabric can also cut your thread. Get out your little scissors and sheer that sheep. Cut away the fur along the edge where you are going to sew. Brush it afterwards with a wirebrush, animal brush or a fine hairbrush. I use wirebrushes on all my fur.

Ratty, thanks for this tip. I started a new vest (or maybe it will turn into a jacket) last night, and remembered reading your idea about sheering the fur along the edge where it will be sewed. I decided to try doing this with electric hair clippers (the kind you would use for shaving your head). It took some practice to get it right, and I removed a little too much (a 1/2 wide strip along the edge) the first time, but it made the "floating" that happens when I try to sew faux fur a lot easier to deal with.

[emma21]

1.
Look at the right side of the faux fur fabric first, and notice in which direction the fur naturally falls. For example, if you were creating a bear costume, you'd want the direction of the fur to fall toward the feet. The costume wouldn't look its best if you cut all of your pattern pieces with the fur heading in the wrong direction. So be sure to lay all of your pattern pieces in the same direction.
2.
Cut out your pattern pieces by removing the excess paper from around the cutting lines. Due to the thickness of fur, pattern weights can be helpful to hold your pieces in place. Pins tend to get buried and distort the paper, which in turn would distort your cuts. Lay the pattern pieces on the wrong side (or back side) of the fur. Use a marking pencil to mark the cutting lines on the fabric back. To cut the fur, you'll be working with a single layer at a time. So if a pattern piece says to cut two, mark the cutting lines twice on the fabric, rather than folding the fabric to cut two pieces ...
3.
Using a craft razor or sharp scissors, carefully cut just the backing of the faux fur. my friend Josh knows more about it.