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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Posts: 3,540Luckily I don't have the pressure that Estelle's facing at the moment. I've gotten in my first mohair, but I don't have it as a commission. (Estelle, I KNOW you'll make a lovely bear! So don't panic, and BREATHE)
My question started when I got the mohair...a loverly piece of lavendar with swirls and curls....I took a stab at the page and clicked and sent my order before I could get cold feet. Now ....how do I find the lay for the fur? I mean, with normal real fur, the nap is pretty straighforward. This one gloriously swirls, curls and has cowlicks. So do I dodge them? Or do I try to vary which way my pieces go? Or do I just try to match swirls? Or do I bite the bullet, throw caution to the wind, and let the change of direction in the hair land where it does? 
I know many of you have worked with mohair for years, but I'm rather daunted by it.....
Gatehouse GalleryOK, I know that 'different strokes for different folks' thing, but I alway work with pile travelling down for body. I know that it appears to travel in different directions but there is always a direction if you look at the piece. I ignore the curls and swirls when doing the body, but 'CHOOSE' the piece I'm going to use for the head. I'm looking for a reasonably straight flow for the gusset and I want the side head pieces to move in an 'out and down' way from the nose. To achieve this I usually tip one side head 90 degrees so that the arrow for pile direction is going across and not down. This stops that "hair coming forward' look that some beginners get.
Hope this helps, but don't be afraid to brush or comb the mohair to get a closer look at the natural flow of things.(I actually steam the face to get it combed exactly right)
Back Road BearsI can't wait to hear answers too, Debbie!
Personally, I find there is a general direction or nap but not enough of one to make a difference in the end result and I often drive myself crazy trying to figure out which way the nap goes. I can't just say it goes down or left or right... it depends on what way your piece was cut.
When tracing my pattern on curly/swirly mohair the only pieces I'm careful with placement of are: head sides and head gusset so that the bear doesn't end up with a bald spot or funky curl on it's forehead or the chin fur going one way on one side, opposite way on the other.
I do what Glenys suggested. I pick and choose the areas of mohair I will use for the side head and gusset pieces, and the rest of the pieces go where they will. I try to find the "general" nap on the mohair but ignore extraneous swirls and frills that get sidetracked away from that.
You can always comb and wet, or just comb, or just wet!, the mohair after you've assembled your bear, to get those pieces to stick in place. And sometimes, the odd, "off" curl kinda makes the bear a little quirky and special!
Upstate New YorkOr do I bite the bullet, throw caution to the wind, and let the change of direction in the hair land where it does?
Yes, do that! 
You can always dampen and comb the extremes into position.
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The greater the emphasis on perfection, the further it recedes.
~ Haridas Chaudhuri
No good work whatever can be perfect, and the demand for perfection is always a sign of a misunderstanding of the ends of art.
~ John Ruskin
Posts: 3,540
Thank you for the tips! I have to admit, the idea of steaming and combing the mohair left me a little worried, but then that's because water is an absolute no no around real fur. I'm sure I've seen the technique in one of Nancy Tillberg's books....
I've got my bear drawn, just have to wrestle with the pattern before tackling the layout. But its calling to me! I promise pics when he comes to life!
LuxembearsI agree with what has been posted already. All I can add is that if you look at your piece of mohair from the back side, you will most often see the mohir showing off of one end of the fabric more than the other end. This will help determine the nap...BUT...with curly swirly mohair I don't think this matters a great deal except to make sure the head side pieces match.
Hey, you never know, you might come up with something really different and unexpected. Do the water thing too...then use a wire brush and really brush firmly down to the fabric base. Works wonders on mohair!! :dance:
