Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store

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Tara Bears
Lancaster, England
Posts: 11

tara Sep 11, 2008

Hey guys!

As I'm having to pinch the pennies I'm trying out faux fur instead of mohair. I've found a gorgeous piece in my local fabric store.. but it's now all over me, the rug, the carpet and the cat. Any tips? It's stressing me out and seems to be almost impossible to keep neat!!

Anything would be appreciated!

Hope everyone's okay bear_original

-Tara

EJ's Crafts
Fort Mohave, Arizona
Posts: 829

EvaJ Sep 11, 2008

I work in faux furs all the time and yes they can be a pain with fur everywhere. Some of them are better than others and I have a small hand vac that I use on the pieces and the cutting table and everywhere else. bear_rolleyes

Eva
www.ejcrafts.com

KJ Lyons Design
Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,413
Website

KJ Lyons Sep 11, 2008

I work with only very dense faux fur and, once in a while, alpaca. Good faux fur costs at least as much as mohair. Be careful with faux furs you find in fabric stores. Most of the time they have a knit back and stretch out of shape when you stuff. As for handling faux fur, it's just practice. I lay the fabric flat, cut, then shake and smooth the fur off into a tall trash can. As long as you don't shake the fur around outside the trash can, it shouldn't fly. I, usually, don't even have to vacuum.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
P.S. I actually started using faux fur because my skin was irritated by the stubble mohair I got while shaving the fur. bear_rolleyes I guess it's just what you're used to?

Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Daphne Sep 11, 2008

Craft store synthetics can be a bear to work with! But even the high quality synthetics are almost as expensive as mohair and still shed all over.
Wear a plastic bag over your body (not your head) and keep that vacuum handy!

Also keep an eye on eBay for good deals on mohair. Check Intercal's specials or your favorite bear supplier's... small cuts and end of bolt pieces from most suppliers are usually marked down. I'd trade the stress, headache and time spent cleaning up all those synthetic fibers in on marked-down mohair any day!!! (Just MY opinion!!! Some use synthetics exclusively and obviously must love it!)

KJ Lyons Design
Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,413
Website

KJ Lyons Sep 11, 2008

Daphne,
Quality, dense faux fur sculptures beautifully and can be kitten soft bear_thumb There are reasons to love it!
Karen
Tara,
I do have some mohair I'll never use. If you can pay the postage I'll send it to you?

Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Daphne Sep 11, 2008

Karen - I own a couple of artist bears made of synthetics... they are gorgeous!!! bear_wub The detailing is exquisite! And you are right.. they are SOOO soft! I admire those who have the patience to work with it.... just like I admire those who use real fur. I think it takes a special skill. Simply something I've found through experience that I only rarely have the patience for. bear_whistle And that's OK... some materials aren't for everyone! That's why it's so great that we have choices! bear_thumb

Tara Bears
Lancaster, England
Posts: 11

tara Sep 12, 2008

Thank you everyone for all the great tips! I made a head last night, turned it right way round and nearly cried! It looked like a ball of fluff! Now it's starting to look like Chewbacca from Star Wars.. but slowly it is taking form! bear_grin

Karen, I would adore you forever if you would be so kind and generous as to do that! Of course I can pay postage and I would be so so greatful to you! bear_wub By the way, your cats are so gorgeous! I wish I had that kind of talent!

It's fun to work with, but stressful and I have to admit I prefer mohair! bear_rolleyes

Love to everyone!

-Tara

Dances With Teddy Bears
Pacific Northwest
Posts: 697

danceswithteddybears Sep 14, 2008

tara wrote:

I made a head last night, turned it right way round and nearly cried! It looked like a ball of fluff! Now it's starting to look like Chewbacca from Star Wars.. but slowly it is taking form! Tara

Tara, that's too funny! But I know what you mean.
When I turn my newly made head, long faux fur head, I can't make heads or tails of it. It's just a fur ball!:crackup:
It takes a while to figure out where to even start. I stuff, then slowly start shaping and trimming.

I love good quality dense synthetics. They are so soft and sculptable. Some do have knit backing, but I line them to prevent stretching.

I've tried lots of interfacings and such. My favorite is "Sulky Sticky". It's really an embroidery stabilizer, but works great! I attached a pic of the product. So easy to use. Just cut it to fit pattern, peel off paper backing, and stick it to fur backing. It stays in place...even after turning. I've used it for some time now and it has never peeled off. And, of course, once you stuff, it'll stay in place forever.

Laura :rose:

PS: I buy Sulky Sticky at JoAnn Fabrics. It also comes in rolls, which is nice.. no folds (creases) and there's lots more on a roll. I "stock up" when it's on sale!