Remember the fur coat project???..........bet you thought I forgot! NOPE!!!
Ok.. have you chosen your pattern , style line yet???
Gotten your supplies????
Gotten a good heavy duty package of needles???
Starting this weekend I will be posting on the Fur coat project.. those with experience with faux fur please feel free to comment and add suggestions...
Remember for those not interested to put FS in the subject line on the discussion list so they can simply delete without reading through.
Coats will still need interfacing and linings... I will walk through a typical pattern preparation for the coat designs and the first thing we need to do is "toile" the coat. before cutting into our good fabric..
Its always best to "toile" in a similiar weight and drape fabric........hmmmmmmmmm that could get dicey....so for those that dont want to work one up in polar fleece or boiled wool or something similiar of a heavy grade lets start with the lining!!!
Remember to get all your supplies BEFORE starting.. including the type of closure you plan on using.
FUR Hooks are larger than normal hook and eyes and are wrapped with cording. They are available from Dritz thru most of the large chain stores or from several places on the web.
Also get a set of upholstery needles and some "waxed button hole twist thread" to secure your fur hooks.
You will also need a good pair of scissors that are really sharp.. faux fur is cut from the wrong side thru the base fabric only with care taken not to cut the HAIRS on the right side.
Since this fabric is so thick we have to take into account the "turn of cloth" which may be a new concept for some... it is BEST to cut as a SINGLE LAY not on the fold as the thickness of the fur itself will throw one layer off.. this means printing both a right and LEFT back as well as back neck facing and collars and taping them carefully together using the center back line as your guide.
it may also be wise to cover your floor under your cutting table with an old sheet to help with clean up...
Faux fur has a NAP so the cutting layout must be ONE WAY and if your fur has PELT lines you will want to carefully match the "pelts" so they all run in one diection and you take advantage of any coloration uniqueness so the coat appears to be pieced......more on this later.
Ill talk about what I plan to do... I have a large piece of fur and have pretty much decided on a swing coat with a shawl collar.. my one concern is I'm short and Im afraid this may overwhelm me a little bit.. the shawl collar stays but the degree of flare will be modest to avoid that.
I plan on inseam pockets that are good and deep made of a lighter color velvet with the plush side in towards my hands.
and I plan on using a facing of faux leather and a satin lining ( thats got a woven in design) The lining will be monogrammed just above the one inside pocket on the left side which is a lining pocket. that is reached inseam between the lining and facing.
To avoid the overwhelm look the shawl collar will be 4 inches wide not huge......thats too wide on me for a suit jacket but great for a coat... this means my under panel for the shawl will be Cut or pieced on rather than all of a piece.
To accomplish this I will reprint the upper side of the pattern front containing the shawl.. cut and add seam allowances. but leave the main front alone except for being well marked ..so I get the placement just right.Remember to choose a design line that is basically very simple.. the fabric and texture of your faux fur will provide the detailing and design elements
More this weekend..........Kaaren
God Bless America!!!!!!!
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� 2001 Kaaren Hoback, Dryden, New York