[MR] Re: *WH* need help with FUR

[Duston Mullins]

How old is the coat? What condition is the "skin". Fur coats that have not
been properly stored will "dry rot" deteriorate.  BEFORE YOU CUT...

You need to examine the fur from the skin side to determine if you need to
repair any weak areas.  Weak areas are tears, cuts, old seams, needle holes
and thin spots in the skin.  You will be amazed at the flaws covered by all
that hair!  Small cuts and tears can be repaired with a bit of chamois and a
dry to dry application of rubber cement or weltwood contact cement as a
patch.  Dry to dry= look on the bottle-brush the patch-let it dry, brush the
skin-let it dry , then very carefully place the two together.  (This is
permanent bond, no mistakes.)

It is always best to make a muslin or paper pattern for the area you are
going to sew (for instance a cuff, a collar....) then work out all of the
seams, curves, etc.  For very delicate applications, like collars where the
fur will need to support itself on the outside of a costume, I would suggest
shaving the fur (trim very closely or near to the skin) in the seams and
back with muslin.  If the skin is very thin in spots a light weight fusible
or non-fusible interfacing can work wonders to firm up the skin.

I agree with the fur suggestion of no scissors.  Like with leather a clean
break-away cutter is perfect.  Scissors also cut hairs and then the cut has
a lower pile at the cut mark.

I would also strongly suggest making the fur pieces detachable for the
cleaning of the garment.  Also you can switch the pieces and augment several
pieces of garb.

I have seen rabbit fur trimmed or shaven in spots and beadwork worked
directly on the skin, or a "hole" cut like for applique and the beaded item
in-set, gorgeous!

Glee
----- Original Message -----
From: Becky McEllistrem <bmcellis at yahoo.com>
To: Lady Magy Freyser <clairjamie at yahoo.com>; Keep
<keep at windmastershill.org>; Atlantia <atlantia at atlantia.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 3:47 PM
Subject: [MR] Re: *WH* need help with FUR


> Duchess Caterina has worked with fur before.  I'll ask
> her if she has pointers.  One thing she mentioned to
> me was don't use scissors to cut the fur.
>
> She used a seam ripper to cut it (it was a thin rabbit
> fur) and had a lot less hair coming loose off the
> pieces.
>
> I'll see what else she suggests.
>
> Rebecca
> --- Lady Magy Freyser <clairjamie at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Poster: Lady Magy Freyser <clairjamie at yahoo.com>
> > I had a rabbit fur coat when I was much much younger
> > and have decided
> > (since it's WAY too small) that I am going to use it
> > to trim some things
> > like a tabard and sideless.  I took the coat apart
> > and the fur is lined on
> > the inside with something like muslim or sheeting.
> > My question is how to
> > get it on the clothing????  Someone suggested that I
> > edge it with bias
> > tape for example and then sew it on the top of the
> > fabric.  Someone else
> > thought I should fold it and sew it in the seam
> > between top and lining.
> > Does anyone have experience with this??  It's real
> > rabbit fur and I know
> > it will shed some, but I really wanted to use this.
> >
> > THANKS!!
> > Magy
> >
> > =====
> > Lady Magy Freyser
> > Minister of Arts & Sciences
> > Canton of Elvegast, Windmaster's Hill, Atlantia
> >
> > "You can't buy happiness - but you can rent the heck
> > out of some fun." - Gaston du Valmont
> > Check out my website...  or send me an AOL IM at
> > LadyMagy
> > http://www.geocities.com/canushag/Kimberly.html
> >
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