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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Country BearsI normally use fraycheck/fraystoppa, but read somewhere that some artists use watered down PVA to stop edges from fraying.
If you do, what measure of PVA to water and how do you apply it?? Does it make the fabric stiff??
I'm spending a fortune on fray check etc, would love to try this!! Or any alternatives!!! 
Many thanks!! :hug:
Upstate New YorkWhat's PVA?
I'm spending a fortune on fray check etc, would love to try this!! Or any alternatives!!!
Me too! (And Fraycheck smells BAD!)
Country BearsHi Deb,
It's like that white glue they use at school?
Posts: 8,574Are you fray checking everything?
If so Why?
I only fray check areas that will get a lot of manipulation in the final processes....unless its gollies- I fraycheck the fingers....
And i guess on some miniatures, depending on the fabrics.....but gollygeewhiz, i can see why you are going broke fast if you are fray checking everything and you make bigguns.....yikes!
I would try white school glue, over here we call it Elmers, 50% with water....and the hair dryer to speed up the process
and a small paint brush....
hmmmm
dilu
Country BearsHi Dilu,
You know I do usually fraycheck everything, I like to be thorough 
, and on my big bears it's usually a bottle gone in no time!! I need a more economical way!! 
However the bear I'm working on at the moment isn't your typical 'bear' fabric, and it frays!!! Why do I put myself through it?? 
I get these bright ideas of trying different mediums........ 
No wonder I've had a bad day!!!
Clare, i use 50% - 50% and i use a small paintbrush to apply it, i haven't found it to make the fabric stiff but i would try a bit on a small scrap of fabric first.
Hugs
Vicki
PijangibearsHi Clare
I read somewhere here ,that it is 1x glue and 2x water.
Hugs Birgitte
Wild Thyme OriginalsClare... Meet another habitual fraychecker! When I use mohair I do the whole bear too.
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals
Kim-Bee BearsI use to do the whole bear also... I just do the outside now... unless the weave on the mohair is nice and tight then I dont do it at all Fraycheck is too expensive!
Jellybelly BearsI think I answered this on another board? lol. Yep, I'm a pva/water mix girl too and do all seams and joint holes etc
xo Sarah
Estelles canal bears and Tod Teddiesyes i use pva 1part glue to 1part water I just do the muzzle and around where the joints are going I like to be sure the joints wont move and make holes( iknow yhey wont its just one of my things)
Okay!
I admit I'm a Fray Checkaholic . . . I Fray Check everything, don't want the seams to pull apart. Can I join the FCA? (Fray Check Anonymous).
Do you mix it up fresh each time or in a batch and keep stored . . and what ratio ... is it distilled water and PVA glue?
Help me break this affliction, those little bottles don't go very far.
Hugs,
Wanda
Kim-Bee BearsI too am a habitual fraychecker....actually I use a different brand that I get from Joann's......It doesn't really have much of an odor to me unless your face is right in it....But then again I'm usually wearing my mask when I put it on since I do it right after I finished cutting, and the thought of how much fur I must inhale is just about enough to gag me - so I must wear the mask. lmao!
Oh brother - I've gone off topic once again!
Perhaps it is the fumes? HA! See back on track! :thumbsup:
LMAO I just got a visual in my head of this and it cracked me up... I must have tons of mohair and wool in my lungs too BLEECH! I know I inhale dog hair on a daily basis... BLEECH!
MerBear OriginalsI find that the Schulte mohair is so densely woven it doesn't need fray-checking - or at least only at the openings for stuffing maybe for extra strength. I agree that some mohair does require it all around.
Marion
Flying Fur StudiosJust wanted to add my two cents.
If you're worried about how much fray check you use, just know that I don't use it on my whole bear. I just use it on the joint holes and seam openings. I've never had a problem with the fact that I don't fray check the whole bear.
I'm sure it can't hurt though. It's always good to have strong seams, but I'm just cheap and save money where I can.
Posts: 8,574Well gollygoodheavens ladies, no wonder you're going broke..... 
What i would do, in your cases, is figure out what the medium is in fray check and then figure out the solvent, and experiement with dilutions until i had the dilution that worked for me....it would have to be cheaper to put your own together.....
I can't seem to find my bottle, but the idea is intriguing as i do use the stuff on the gollies.....Also i would use up several bottles of fray check but save the bottles, I do this already, because it lets out such a nice little bit if you don't cut the top but just poke it with a a doll needle...then i could recant the mix i make.....now I do have to do some research
If I learn anything I will let you know....
hugs
dilu
Country BearsI think I answered this on another board? lol.
You did Sarah, I've been asking everywhere!! :hug: Thank you!!!
Childhood Treasurestry a little iron on interfacing, very light weight, don't let the iron get too hot, unless you don't mind the hair getting curly. Experiment on a little piece. Then you won't have to frey check.
Kim-Bee BearsAnn, would that help on knit back fabrics to prevent stretch? I don't know if you will know the answer but it was a thought
Sunnie BearsKim
Iron on interfacing is excellent to use on knit back furs!
Sonya
Kim-Bee BearsKim
Iron on interfacing is excellent to use on knit back furs!
Sonya
YAY! I have beeen looking for that "magical" solution to stretch! :hug:
Hi Dilu,
You know I do usually fraycheck everything, I like to be thorough
However the bear I'm working on at the moment isn't your typical 'bear' fabric, and it frays!!! Why do I put myself through it??
No wonder I've had a bad day!!!
Clare ,you must be high as a kite as well as broke,All those fumes!!!!I quite like the smell.I only use it on the muzzles of bears under 7 inches.Velvet bears needit all over but I never find mohair ones do.Perhaps you use looser woven mohair???
Sorry I can't think of an alternative.I iron the edges of my parts (bears of course) and they don't curl and catch the needle and thread.That may work.
Diane xxx
