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shantell Dec 4, 2006

I recently completed my first synthetic bear using wonderful imported synthetic and just loved the tissavel I used...love love loved it.  I'm working on my second but it's from a different manufacturer and the backing is "thicker"...it's woven and doesn't  stretch but tends to want to unravel very easily.  I've lined it but it just feels way too thick and I'm not at all happy with the way it feels.   Any suggestions?   

I know we've discussed this stuff before but I can't seem to come up with the right search combination to find the correct post.

I'm almost at the  point of just tossing this one and starting over...which just makes me a bit sad. 

Thanks 

kbonsall Dec 4, 2006

Maybe using iron on interfacing?  (that is the word I am looking for, right?  Or maybe using fray check around the edges??? 

I haven't ever had a problem with synthetics (furry fuzzy synthetics) fraying.... but with regular cotton fabrics, (like I am about to do shortly), I use iron on interfacing so that it doesnt fray (which was also suggested to me by the gal at the fabric store or to use fray check...)... fray check will make it thicker though....

shantell Dec 4, 2006

Yep, that's what I did...iron on cotton interfacing...but the woven back is already kinda of thick...UGH.

kbonsall Dec 4, 2006

thick backings are hard on your hands... that is one of the reasons that I no longer work with real fur... I wouldn't throw it out, I would just step away, maybe make another bear... but I always try to salvage a bear, especially since I hand sew and thowing a bear out is too difficult (6-8 hours of sewing down the drain, yikes!) and especially if the face is already done! YIKES!

Cleathero Creations Dec 4, 2006

I would fray stop all the edges so you don't add any more thickness to hte backing.  I would also make a larger bear because sometimes you can lose the details on a smaller bear.

Step away and then finish it because I am sure once its done it will be fine.  Its just getting there.

Daphne Dec 4, 2006

There is a product called "No Fray Spray" that you can cover the whole packing with. I just googled it and here's one place in the US that sells it: http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_l … dID_E_3328

I'm thinking that interfacing will come off pretty easily if it's like what I've tried to iron on that didn't really want to stay ironed on!

Sassy's sells a fabrick fixer that I believe is an adhesive that you spread on and heat set. Yup, here's the link:
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.c … atch=exact

There... no excuses... can't put it aside.... gotta finish the bear!!! :crackup:

:hug:

shantell Dec 4, 2006

I just finished stuffing the head...turning it was a nightmare.  I can hardly wait to turn the legs     I have two more pieces of this fur in different colors.  Hopefully I'll come up with a better way of doing this.   I can only get 10-12 inch bears out of them so I'm limited to that size or smaller.   I was experimenting when I purchased this and I'm glad I didn't buy bigger pieces because I won't buy this particular quality again.

It's not as bad as I thought it would be stuffed so all is not lost but I'm already getting a sore spot on my finger from sewing...HA...this will not be the bear I had planned. 

Cleathero Creations Dec 4, 2006

still can't wait to see it!

shantell Dec 5, 2006

I haven't had a complete misfit in sometime but I think this may be one.  I've had to sit this one aside...        It's making my head spin.  It's all jointed, stuffed (unsewn) and staring at me pathetically...

Bearalive Dec 5, 2006

Shantell just close him ( or her? ) up, take a picture and ..let us see it!! Really some timed, for some unknown reason, dislike a bear that you are making, it's just not coming the way you wanted but, after it is all done, even if you still do not like it, people like it!! You never know.
It is true that sometimes the backing of a wonderfuly feeling fur can be a BIG nightmare ! I always look at the backing, not only the fur side, and if it is too hard or stiff ..no bear !
Bear hugs and Golly smiles.
Gladys