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I'm always looking for quick ways of doing things to save time... maybe I am being stupid here, but I can't work out why using the clips would work any better than plain old pinning.
It's probably coz I can't visualise how you clip them to hold the fur securely...and then stitch.
My brain is hurting!!!!!!!
Kiprie BearsKim...sorry , I forgot to bring my camera & mohair (for example..)to work. boo hoo
I'll try to post the photo tonight at home. 
Hugs/Marie
Kim-Bee BearsIt ok marie 
I am patient :hug:
Kiprie Bears
Hello Kim,
Here is how I do for trimming mohair in seams. I think this is
nothing new... so if you knew this already sorry. 
Hugs/Marie 
Kim-Bee BearsYAY MARIE!!! That is a help thank you for posting! :hug:
Jare Hares & BearsI am glad to see that eeveryone has had success in using the bread trimmers. We starting using these a few years ago and it saves tons of time.
We get battery operated ones from Whal Clipper. They run off of 2 AA batteries.
There are only certain things that I baste anymore. The gussett, foot pads, and ears. If I don't baste the ears I end up with shifted ears. And I don't trust myself to sew the tight curves of the gussett and foot pads without it. But this only applies to certain patterns, otherwise I don't baste or pin.
I like the idea of the alligator or roach clips. (Hairspary anyone?)
Sometimes I don't trim the pile from the seams, that depends on the density of the pile. I have found that even with the curly matted mohairs that I can pluck the seams out and still get them to matte back down.
Posts: 1,277I hate using pins for anything, so the alligator clips sound great...but I'm having some trouble visualizing. Shelli, I know you already tried to explain it but I just can't wrap my mind around how you would sew it. :redface: Now I'm telling myself it's just because I'm not familiar with using the zipper foot and that's why I'm not getting it. But that's just to make me feel better, because I really don't have a clue as to how I would use the clips!
Baird'sBears Kim,
I'm finding that pre-trimming is more important on machine-sewn bears than on hand-sewn, just because it's harder to comb out machine-sewn seams, if you use as tiny a stitch as I do.
Eileen
Next time I sew up some seams using alligator clips I'll try to snap some shots!
Flying Fur StudiosSandi, I use the clips and I love them!!
I have such trouble pinning, and I don't know why. Now, my new favorite things are the clips.
Lets say for example, you are 'clipping' a 2 piece body together, and you use say 8 clips. Once you take that body with the clips in it to the sewing machine, just remove one clips, so you have space to fit under the foot. Then as you sew, just remove the clips as you need more room
I hope that made sense, I just don't have the gift that Shelli does for explaining things
Here's a pic of a body "pinned" together with alligator clips:
Oh, Laura beat me to it. Thanks, Laura!
Some people remove the clips before sewing where they were clipped. I leave them in and use a zipper foot, and sew to the far right edge of the foot. It takes some getting used to but is easy to control width of seam allowance once you figure out how to work in this fashion. The clips are so strong you can clip right up next to the edge and not worry about slippage at all.
I find this works better for me, Jenny -- since you asked -- because I always found that pins distorted the fabric I pushed them through, especially in the more important areas like the muzzle, which I machine sew... or in very small bears, at paws, muzzle, and feet.
Oh, Laura beat me to it. Thanks, Laura!
No problem Shelli! I already had the photo online 
Upstate New YorkNo problem Shelli! I already had the photo online :lol:
Still got that picture of JG online? 
Kim-Bee BearsThat pic with all the "alligators" on it cracked me up... maybe it is lack of sleep... they look like hungry little monsters all taking a bite out of the mohair!! HA HA HA 
Kim-Bee Bears
I'm finding that pre-trimming is more important on machine-sewn bears than on hand-sewn, just because it's harder to comb out machine-sewn seams, if you use as tiny a stitch as I do.
Eileen
Thank you So I have a question... you just trim the hair and not the backing, right? My head is not working today! 
Still got that picture of JG online?
Deb, you BET!
And Kim, yes, you only trim the fur, not the backing.
Upstate New YorkOh my Lord have mercy .... thank you Laura Lynn. I'm going to bookmark it. Please make certain that I am advised in advance of any plans you may have to move the post. Oh wait ... I'm not at work am I? (See ... didn't even know where the heck I was!)
:hug: :hug: :hug:
Kim-Bee BearsJG looks EXACTLY like my ex
Upstate New YorkSo I have a question... you just trim the hair and not the backing, right? My head is not working today! ;)
Kimmy Kimmy Kimmy ... you are the funniest thing, I swear.
Here's the thing ... if you trim the hair AND the backing, then you're back to where you started with the mohair extending all the way to the edge of the fabric. Right? So you only trim the mohair.
Okay? 
Kim-Bee BearsLMAO! That is what lack of sleep will do to you.. I guess my question DIDNT make sense... sorry.. airhead moment!
Posts: 1,277Okay, I understand the whole clip concept now. Well, I did understand how you would clip it together, but Shelli really threw when she said she didn't take them out when sewing. And my lack of experience with the zipper foot was the reason that I didn't grasp the idea at first. Now I get it. Yay, I don't feel so dumb now! Thanks for the follow-up though, really helped pound it in there!
Back Road BearsKIMMMY..... Get Some Sleep, Girl!!!
Kim-Bee Bears I know, I know...
Upstate New York
Hey ... anyone tried these?
$8.99 at www.jefferspet.com
