How to Shear Fur Coats
You can take that old fur coat and update it for a new and stylish look. Updating a fur can involve a number of steps: removing outdated shoulder pads, or even taking it completely apart and re-fashioning it into a vest or shorter coat. Shearing the coat, or shortening the fur with clippers, is another way to re-purpose a fur. You can wear the sheared coat as is, or take it apart and use it as a lining for a new coat.
Instructions
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Examine the fur coat to determine what kind of fur it is and its condition. You should not try to shear chinchilla because the hair fibers are too fragile. Do not try to shear furs that are shedding badly. Have the leather treated before attempting to shear the piece. Do not shear pieces that are 15 years old or more because they may not stand up to the treatment.
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Take the fur to the furrier for a cleaning. Shearing dirty fur may clog your clippers.
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Lay the fur out on a table with the lining facing the surface of the table. Wipe the fur down with a paper towel to remove any dust the cleaners did not get. Plug in your clippers. Select a blade number that corresponds to the length you want your fur to be. Do not use a blade number that will put the sharp edges too close to the leather or you risk shredding the coat.
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Turn on the clippers and hold the coat from the bottom. Begin shearing the fur from the bottom upwards, working against the way the fur lays. Move the clippers along the coat for about one foot, then dump the cut fur into a trash can to prevent the clippers from clogging. Continue until you reach the neckline of the coat, then start on the next line at the bottom.
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Shear the sleeves by starting at the wrist and moving upwards towards the shoulder. Clip in long strips, then move around the sleeve. Shear the collar last. Avoid any buttons.
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Wipe the coat down with a clean paper towel when you are finished, to remove any loose hairs.
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References
- Photo Credit the girl in a fur coat image by rufar from Fotolia.com
