Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I've made a number of real fur bears but would like to know if you use a curved needle to close the seams and sew on the ears.
I always use a curved need on my other bears but can't seem to find a fine curved leather needle. I did order some curved leather needles but they are huge and would put a big hole in the hide which I don't want to do!!!
So my question is what do you use to sew up the seams and sew the ears on???? And if you use a curved leather needle can you provide me with a link to a supplier!
Thanks.
Little Bear GuyI have never seen a curved leather needle that was small enough for me to use for sewing up the seams on a real fur bear. I use a regular leather needle for sewing on ears and sewing up the seams, along with a pair of pliers 
. Depends on the skin you are sewing through some are much tougher than others. Someone told me once about checking with my vet as they would use a curved needle for when they do surgery but never did bother.
hugs
Shane
Actually I have some curved needles from the hospital surgical ward but they bend easy so they aren't good for tough hide - I guess out skin isn't as tough as animal hide:crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
I've been doing as you do but thought there might be a simpler way UGH
Thanks Shane.
Past Time BearsI've made only a few real fur bears, but sewed the seams/ears just like Shane describes. You might want to coat the needle with Sewers Aid, also.
Feather Heart CreationsI found some curved leather needles at hobbylobby in the leather working area. The tip is a little larger but it doesn't seam to effect the hide/leather
I do all of my handwork using a dritz #7 quilt basting needle. they are about 2.5" long and very thin and fine without much bulge to the shaft. they don't cut the leather the way leather needles do and pierce through quiet easily (at least for me) and the length makes them easy to handle. I keep a needlenpse pleirs on hand for the tough spots. the other thing about these is that they are so fine that they eventually curve from the pressude of my fingers and then make a good substitute for a curved needle. I buy these about a dozen packs at a time. even better were the 'goldeneye' #7's that walmart used to carry, but those have dissapeared off the face of the earth...
