How to Sew With Faux Fur

There are so many lush faux fur fabrics on the market today. If you love the look of faux fur but are afraid it may be difficult to sew, here are a few tips to get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Faux fur fabric
• Pattern
• Long straight pins
• Sharp scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread

1. Determine the nap of your fabric. When you hold the faux fur to your body and look down it should be a lighter color and the fur should be going in a downward direction.
2. Lay the fabric on a table. Place the pattern on the fabric according to the directions for napped fabric. If the faux fur is extra heavy, you may need to cut one layer of fabric at a time.
3. Cut only the fabric backing as you cut out the pattern. Try not to cut the faux fur. You may trim the seams to ¼ inch at this time if you wish.
4. Pin the fabric pieces with the wrong sides together. Use long pins. Place the pins close together. Try to keep as much of the faux fur as possible on the garment side of the seam rather than in the seam allowance.
5. Set up your sewing machine. It's best to sew faux fur with a zigzag stitch if possible. Test your stitches on scraps of faux fur before you begin sewing the garment.
6. Sew the seams according to the pattern directions. As you sew each seam continue to keep as much faux fur as possible out of the seam allowance. Always sew faux fur with the nap.
7. Remember to remove all of the straight pins from the seams. Use one of the pins to pull out any fur that you catch in the seam. Finish the garment according to the pattern's directions.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to keep your vacuum handy to help keep the loose fur under control.