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Fake Fur Crawling Stitching fake fur is difficult
Elliptic Coin   Beginner Member since 5/17/12 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/13/12 12:52 PM do any of the experts have a solution to hold the fake fur fabric in place while stitching? I'm somewhere between a beginning sewer and intermediate and have not used fake fur in the past. I am constructing a santa claus for this coming Christmas. The body was clear sailing but the suit is troublesome. Not only is the fabric creeping and crawling but I can't seem to get the right adjustments on my sewing machine. I've changed needles and blown out lint but don't get consistent stitch lengths. any help will be appreciated. --Judy
minggiddylooloo   Intermediate VA USA Member since 5/17/05 Posts: 1793	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/13/12 12:57 PM I have never made anything with fake fur but I would imagine a walking foot would help with the problems you are having at the machine. You could also use alligator clips to hold the layers together, maybe even washable tape? ------ I'm finally a blogger! sewming.blogspot.com
Elliptic Coin   Beginner Member since 5/17/12 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post In reply to minggiddylooloo << Like this post Date: 7/13/12 1:10 PM Thanks for your suggestions, I had not thought about using clips...and washable tape.
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 4994	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/13/12 1:44 PM that would be my suggestion also . I once make a tiger costume for my daughter years ago and vowed never to work with fake fur again. And I haven't. ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
GoSewGirl   Advanced NY USA Member since 4/14/04 Posts: 396	Login to reply to this post In reply to Elliptic Coin << Like this post Date: 7/13/12 2:34 PM Be sure to pin well - closely spaced and perpendicular to your stitching line. Also, try adjusting the pressure foot pressure if you can. Lighter or heavier may be required, you'll have to test it out. The wallking foot will help, but it's not so great if your pieces have tight curves. And you can always baste with actual needle and thread vs. just pinning. I know it can be a pain, but it will definitely do the trick! HTH ------ Liz
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 651	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/13/12 3:53 PM I found that clipping the fur along the seamlines helps. It could be that the fur hairs are binding/catching somewhere causing the skips. Good luck with your project.
Tarrbaby   Intermediate MI USA Member since 10/28/06 Posts: 104	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/14/12 9:26 AM I made an ankle length coat once and found that I had to hand baste the seams before stitching. Also to try cutting off the saem allowances and using a small width zig zag one stitch on one stitch off the fabric. I have used fusible stabilizing tape as well. Good luck. ------ Dawn T.
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5843	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/14/12 1:33 PM A roller foot will help when dealing with crawling fabrics. I believe Threads had an article that discussed how to sew artificial fur. Issue 32 page120 (fake fur) and issue 104 page 108 (shearling). ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Margasweet   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 2/15/05 Posts: 721	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/14/12 3:22 PM I've sewn fake fur a couple of times, using a scant 1/4" seam and a wide zig zag stitch, one side of which swings just off the fabric. I pin about every inch, using the pin to sweep the fur away from the seam before pinning perpendicular to the seam. Alternate directions with each pin (1st pin starts on the top side, next pin starts from the underside). HTH Marguerite ------ 2007 fabric in: 7 1/2 yards; sewn: 7 yds 2008 fabric in, 23 yards; sewn 20 yds; given away 6 yds 2009 fabric in 41 1/4 yds, sewn 29 yds, given away 22 1/2 yds 2010 fabric in 91 1/2 yds, sewn 27 yds, given away 1 1/2 yds; 2011 fabric in: 55 yd.; sewn: 21 yd; given away: 20 yd 2012 fabric in: 60 1/4 yd., sewn 25 1/4 yds, given away 16 yds, thrown away 3 yds scraps 2012 UFOs completed: 7 2013 fabric in: 23 yds 2013 fabric sewn: 10.7 yds. 2013 fabric given away: 3 yd.s 2013 projects completed: shower curtain liner (4 yd), travel chess board (1 yd), drapey vest (1.7 yd) 2013 projects started: princess-seamed tank top 2013 UFOs completed: 2 (fleece vest, blue squares lap quilt)
Padmé Member since 7/12/06 Posts: 1658	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/14/12 6:03 PM I pinned a lot, did some hand basting, and clipped the fur down at the seam line. I made a lined vest that I still have and wear. I'm planning a stuffed dog from a new McCalls pattern for my oldest son's apartment with the leftover fur and some fake suede soon.

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