How to Sew Faux Fur Fabric
Sewing allows us to be our own fashion designers. When we sew a faux fur shrug or handbag from a pattern and fabric we select, we truly have a one-of-a-kind garment. Many people are intimidated by sewing with faux fur fabric. Fur can be challenging, because it has more dimension than flat-fold fabric and is often thicker. Plus, fur can get caught up in the seams, but with practice and patience, even a beginning sewer can create beautiful garments with faux fur.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Pattern
- Faux fur fabric
- Thread
- Scissors
- Long straight pins
- Sponge
- Sewing machine
- Brush
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1
Select a simple pattern with limited seams, darts or pleats, especially if you have limited experience working with faux fur.
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2
Determine the nap of the fur---or the direction the fur lays. Most faux furs have a definite nap. Lay and sew all pattern pieces in the same direction.
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3
Cut only one layer of fur at a time. Be careful to only cut the backing, not the fur. Use the tips of sharp scissors, taking small snips. Once the backing is cut, gently pull apart the fur.
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4
Pin pattern pieces together perpendicular to the seam with long straight pins. Pin often. As you pin, push fur back into the seam with the tip of a pin so as little fur as possible is poking out along the seam line. Use a damp sponge to brush fur away from the seam line when you are pinning.
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5
Stitch pieces together according to pattern directions using a straight or zigzag stitch. Faux fur fabric can be expensive---before you begin your project make a test stitch on a scrap of fur. Once you sew a seam, take a brush or needle and gently go along the seam line to free any fur that was caught in the stitching.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Clean your machine when you're finished. Faux fur makes more lint than other fabrics.
