Skip to main content

Banner Sponsors

Teddy Bear Academy - Online teddy bear making classes
Johnna's Mohair Store - Specializing in hand dyed mohair and alpaca

teeeej Brisbane
Posts: 623

Hi all! Although I love mohair, I have seen some beautiful bears and critters made up in synthetic fur. I know some synthetics are well made and don't stretch, but some others do stretch a lot. What does everyone use to line synthetics with (I have seen people state that they do this) and how do you go about doing it?

--------------Therese

Having fun at the Gold Coast international teddy bear show, teddy bear workshop with Silvia Durrer , and the Winter Wonderland Doll and Teddy Bear Show this week! Wow what a week!

StarHawk2003 VallierBears
Shropshire
Posts: 270

Hi Therese,

I would say line it with thin calico or muslin. I have tried interfacing and it didn't really work. Interfacing does Stretch when stuffed. Well it rips easily and curls away. Also wouldn't be very good if it got wet!

I have no idea how other do it but I can think of 2 ways to do it.

1. Cut out all your fur peises and all your calico pieces from the same pattern. Stitch the calico to the wrong side of the fabric close to the edge. About half way between your normal sewing and the edge of the fabric. Brush all the seems as you usually do and do it to every piece.

2. Cut out all your fur pieces and all your calico/muslin pieces from the same pattern. Pin or over sew the calico to the piece your fur and then sew as normal.

I would personal IMHO use the first method. I have been sewing clothes for years and doing the second method is hard for me. The pisces slip and I can never get them to fit edge to edge.

I'm sure someone else who has used synthetic allot will answer your question with there knowledge.

Hope I helped,

Richy~

jenny Three O'clock Bears
warwickshire uk
Posts: 4,413
Website

At the risk of firing up the anti-glue debate again I use a machine embroidery type spray adhesive to attach a piece of cotton interlining to knitted synthetics...muslin still stretches I find...draw up the pattern on the fabric after attaching the lining...cut out, then sew up as normal. The type of adhesive used is designed for embroidery / quilting and therefore is fine to use with fabric..and anyway your stitches will be what really holds it in place..not the glue. I can't be bothered to cut out two patterns when I can do it in one go.

DebbieD Posts: 3,540

I've lined synthetics in the past with muslin.  Just cut out 2 of everything, and then I use a thin layer of paper glue (like the tubes schoolkids use) on the muslin, and match them to the pieces of synthetic.  I've found it doesn't take much, and if you use those cool glues that change colour, you can easily see where you've put the glue and where you haven't.

StarHawk2003 VallierBears
Shropshire
Posts: 270
jenny wrote:

At the risk of firing up the anti-glue debate again I use a machine embroidery type spray adhesive to attach a piece of cotton interlining to knitted synthetics...muslin still stretches I find...draw up the pattern on the fabric after attaching the lining...cut out, then sew up as normal. The type of adhesive used is designed for embroidery / quilting and therefore is fine to use with fabric..and anyway your stitches will be what really holds it in place..not the glue. I can't be bothered to cut out two patterns when I can do it in one go.

Great idea! Why didn't I think of that? Yes, I'd say spraying on the cotton interling would be the best method. 

As Jenny has already said; The spray adhesive would hold the interling in place and when you sew it together, It will   be the stitching that does the work. 

I will have to try that Jenny, Thanks. I love this group, so many people and so many ideas!

Richy~

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB

Banner Sponsors


Past Time Bears - Artist bears designed and handcrafted by Sue Ann Holcomb
Shelli Makes - Teddy bears & other cheerful things by Shelli Quinn