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Mandy Oct 1, 2005

Hi there

Can anyone out there tell me where I can get long pile upholstery velvet from.  I have started making weenie ones (about 2") from upholstery velvet and although they are ok I'm not able to get the look that I want cos the pile isn't long enough.  All I can find is short or medium.  I know it exists because there are some truly talented artists out there creating some absolutely gorgeous tiny tinies and they all talk about vintage / long pile.  I hope you gals can help.

:doh:   :(

Blessings  Mandy

kraftyladies Oct 1, 2005

Hi mandy,

I have never really had much luck finding long pile either.  Sometimes you can find bear artists selling some on ebay, just do a search for long pile.  Some people have found couches, etc in antique shops made out of long pile over the years, but I have never been so lucky.

Sometimes you will even find an artist that has a couple yards that they will sell some of.  Hopefully someone on here will have a stash that may part with some of it for you.   :)

Good luck in your search!

Susan

shantell Oct 1, 2005

Hi...welcome to the Teddy Talk.

There is a current discussion on mini-making in the Tips & Techniques section.   Here's a link...  http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=1818

Several people recommended http://www.sassybearsandfabrics.com for mini fabrics.  I just myself ordered some and they were very reasonably priced.  I can't speak personally for the quality but feel confident they will be great based on the recommendation.  There are some other links within that discussion thread also (I think).

Take a peek!!!

Shantell

Mandy Oct 1, 2005

Thanks Susan and Shantell for your help.  Very much appreciated!

starlite Oct 1, 2005

Hi Mandy,
Haven't met yet but I have seen your little ones on ebay - very nice  :clap:
Maybe you could try this lady who makes little ones herself and sometimes has long pile available
Cheri's Little Bits and Bears
http://cheribears.virtualave.net/Html/b … pplies.htm
if I didn't post thelink so you can just click - copy the line above this into your browser address bar - Sassys bears and fabrics long pile is great to work with too - just another option for you to try
Hugs
Anne

Mandy Oct 1, 2005

Thanks Susan and Shantell for your help.  Very much appreciated!

psichick78 Oct 1, 2005

Okay, I'd like to add on to this if I may.
What makes certain fabric long pile??? How can you tell what you have?
maybe I'm just missing something here?  :redface:
Heather

Acipenser Oct 2, 2005

Long pile upholstery has longer "hairs" than other pile types. Mini bear artists refer to long pile when they mean a certain type of fabric which was manufactured by Malden mills. It is no longer made (I think the factory burned down), but is often offered on ebay in pieces of 9x9 inches for quite high prices. One seller id that comes to mind is bearytail. She has some current auctions still running and has been offering pieces of vintage long pile for some time. Search for long pile upholstery or vintage long pile velvet. It has a white grid backing, which prevents it from fraying. With this fabric, bears of 2-3 inches look furry like a bigger bear. The shorter pile velvets don't give this effect, but are nice in themselves.

By the way, Emily Farmer has some nice cashmere type long pile fabric on ebay and Berta Hesen-Minten has some modern long pile upholstery and micro-fiber fabrics. Try http://www.threadteds.com/ under shop link and then fabrics and sale links.

Sabine

Helena Oct 2, 2005

I bought one of Emily Farmer's 'grab bags' off eBay some time ago and the fabric will last me for years! It's nice to have a selection of fabric to choose from, and there were plenty of different colours and pile lengths. Some vintage too  :). It's a great way to stock up if you're not sure quite what to buy.

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorOct 2, 2005

Can you share the eBay ID's for Emily and Berta, girls?  Thanks!

melissa Oct 2, 2005

Hi guys

Berta's id is threadteds - here's  a link to her ebay auctions.  I'm pretty sure she also has fabric on her web page too - second link below
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrp … threadteds

http://www.threadteds.com/

Emily Farmer's Ebay Store is here - the name is Emily Farmer's mini teddy bears
http://stores.ebay.com/Emily-Farmers-Mi … viewQQtZkm

shantell Oct 2, 2005

Ebay id for Emily Farmer:  emilyfarmer (how easy to remember).  She also puts her name in her heading so you can just search for her by her name also.

Have fun...can't wait to see what little creation you come up with.

Helena Oct 2, 2005

Hmm, it doesn't look like Emily Farmer has any grab bags for sale at the moment. They are definitely worth watching out for though.

kerrenmorris Oct 4, 2005

do any of the UK suppliers sell the long pile upolstery velvet and alpaca???  :pray:

hugs Kerren

Amanda Oct 4, 2005

Hiya Kerren. I ordered off Sassy bears on Sunday. I kept my order low because of customs. It should be under £18 not that you always get clobbered for tax. I paid using paypal as I have money in my account. Paypal just convert it at that days rates. Very easy. I will let you know when it comes so we can see how long it takes. There was some lovely stuff. I have also been lucky on ebay and that material will be with me soon. The only other place I have had from is the link below. I had the mocasin type fabric that my avatar is made from.(4")

http://pawbears.co.uk

WildThyme Oct 4, 2005

Berta gets my vote hands down if we ever had a world-wide contest for the "Super-Nicest Teddy Person in the World!"  The fabric I used on Sabina came from Berta.  It's probably considered a medium pile upholstrey velvet... it's nice and dense and has little grey/black hairs throughout it..... super fun stuff!  Though it does appear that she doesn't currently have any more instock...

http://www.threadteds.com/

Beray truly yours,
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals

shantell Oct 4, 2005

I just last night received my order from Sassy...of course I have yet to use any of it but it seems to be nice quality...although I have to admit two of the pieces aren't not exactly what I had thought they would be...the color and print more than anything...so we shall see!!!

sheilaleigh Feb 5, 2006

Hi everyone,

I don't know if you are still looking for vintage long pile, but I have some that I sell on bay.   also sell privately.  I also have some wonderful vintage cashmere which is so fun to work with.  The vintage cashmere is easy to sew by hand and turn little arms and legs.

For the last few weeks, I've been out searching for vintage chairs and sofas but no luck so far.  I did find one back in October.  So I still have fabric that I could sell to you if you are interested.

hugs,
Sheila   

kbonsall Feb 5, 2006

I have some mini material now on ebay... the person who sold it to me told me it was medium/long pile fabric... If you click on eBay under my avatar, it will take you to it :)

I made a couple bears with it and they turned out pretty good...

kbonsall Feb 5, 2006

Here are some bears I made from the material I am selling on ebay... they were some of my first bears

bhbears Feb 5, 2006

Hi Mandy,
I have a bit of the vintage long pile left over from when I used to make mini's, haven't made one in years.  I sometimes sell it on ebay when I land a big piece but it's like finding gold, never happens that often.  If you email me your address I will send you a care package with a few samples and some other mini goodies.
Hugs Deborah