When I use my 12ish old pelts for sewing a blanket what thread should I use? I've been trying to follow many of the posts on here for a bit so I've seen to use a denim needle and anywhere from nylon thread to cotton thread. I've read that nylon thread may sit there and cut through the material after extended use though and I just can't see cotton thread as being too sturdy to go through washes or extended uses, though I've never done anything like this before and have no clue what I'm talking about. :?
supplies for sewing
- Thread starter mystang89
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what about polyester thread
3mina
Well-known member
The last time I looked at sewing furs/leather the recommended thread was linen but as far as I can tell as long as the thread is good quality and thick it will work well. The best place to ask is probably a tailor or a tanning forum.
SarahMelisse
Well-known member
Maybe a cotton upholstery thread?
tm_bunnyloft
Well-known member
Rabbit hides are very thin so a regular new sharp needle will work well. Nylon thread will eventually cut thru the hide. Cotton thread is made for sewing blankets and clothing. You won't be able to wash your hide blanket after it is done though. It will need dry cleaning just like any real fur you may buy elsewhere. Remember to tuck the fur when sexing so you don't trap the fur in the seam. Also remember to cut the hide on the skin side not the fur side.
Good luck with your sewing project and please share pics as you work. Thanks
__________ Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:55 am __________
<br /><br />__________ Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:57 am __________<br /><br />You do not need a heavy thread. A quilting thread should work just fine. That is what it is made for. But there is coat thread that is heavier if you really want to go that route. Just remember that with heavy thread it will be harder to get a nice snug, smooth seam. A basic weight thread with a regular needle with a well adjusted tension should work well.
Good luck with your sewing project and please share pics as you work. Thanks
__________ Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:55 am __________
<br /><br />__________ Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:57 am __________<br /><br />You do not need a heavy thread. A quilting thread should work just fine. That is what it is made for. But there is coat thread that is heavier if you really want to go that route. Just remember that with heavy thread it will be harder to get a nice snug, smooth seam. A basic weight thread with a regular needle with a well adjusted tension should work well.
Thanks TM_Bunny. I may make myself sounds goofy but I didn't know that you needed to take your fur projects to the dry cleaner to get them clean. That probably just saved me some major sadness right there.
tm_bunnyloft
Well-known member
I am glad I could help. After all that work I would hate to see a person throw it in their wash machine and have it turn into a nasty mess.<br /><br />__________ Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:16 am __________<br /><br />You can brush the fur with baking soda to clean it and then hang it to brush the baking soda off. And then treat the leather every so often with mink oil to keep it soft and pliable.
How does the baking soda get the blanket clean? Anytime I've cleaned something it's normally just been soap and water so its hard for me to picture a solid that I cook with cleaning.
Not doubting you btw, just curious.
Not doubting you btw, just curious.
3mina
Well-known member
mystang89":nme0qwdw said:
Baking soda (and cornstarch) absorb dirt and oils that are on the dirty object. You've seen the ads for Carpet Fresh? That stuff you sprinkle on the carpet and vacuum up? That's baking soda mostly (just repackaged to make us buy something cheap at a higher price) :mrgreen:
I would use either and I would do any cleaning with them outdoors (makes the clean up easier)
tm_bunnyloft
Well-known member
Yeah I would do it outside. All that white powder would probably get everywhere. lol
:zombiebun: I like raising dead threads!
Anyway, so now that I have a few well tanned hides under my belt I was going to go ahead and start the sewing process...now that's it's been almost a year later lol. I'll go buy some basic weight cotton thread (I sure hope the sewing store knows what I'm talking about because I don't) and I already have the leather needles.
Now for my question: How do you sew? Yeah, never done it before and really don't feel like messing this up. We have a regular sewing machine but I would think the hair would get all stuck under the thread and stuff. Also, do you just match up the ends and sew them together or should I sew one end of the hide over the other end? I don't want there to be a noticeable seem. Guess that's all the question for now. Thanks.
Anyway, so now that I have a few well tanned hides under my belt I was going to go ahead and start the sewing process...now that's it's been almost a year later lol. I'll go buy some basic weight cotton thread (I sure hope the sewing store knows what I'm talking about because I don't) and I already have the leather needles.
Now for my question: How do you sew?
Yeah, never done it before and really don't feel like messing this up. We have a regular sewing machine but I would think the hair would get all stuck under the thread and stuff. Also, do you just match up the ends and sew them together or should I sew one end of the hide over the other end? I don't want there to be a noticeable seem. Guess that's all the question for now. Thanks.3mina
Well-known member
The very best idea I can come up with is a sewing class and your local fabric store is the best source of information on all things sewing.
An 'invisible' seam is a very advanced technique that takes considerable practice to achieve especially with fur.
For starters you need to match the grain of the fur, then you need to keep the fur on both pelts out of the way so you're sewing the leather and not bunching fur into the seam.
If I was going to try this I'd start practicing with fake fur to get the technique down before I started with the real thing.
An 'invisible' seam is a very advanced technique that takes considerable practice to achieve especially with fur.
For starters you need to match the grain of the fur, then you need to keep the fur on both pelts out of the way so you're sewing the leather and not bunching fur into the seam.
If I was going to try this I'd start practicing with fake fur to get the technique down before I started with the real thing.
Cottie
Well-known member
How do you sew? Not starting on rabbit pelts. =) Like 3mina said, start on faux fur. I'd actually start with a thin leather from a resale shop as well. Rabbit hide is a pretty unique material, so even if you get good at invisible seams and lining things up properly, you'll still have to worry about the idiosyncrasies of the material's stretch and give.
From experiments, if the stitches are too close, the whole thing rips. Too far, doesn't stay together. A standard sewing machine is not good for pelts* as it has too much pull on the foot, the fur will get caught in the teeth, the hide will get ripped, etc.
* I know this is arguable. People who are whizzes with a machine could do it no problem. Those of us who are slightly less inclined with it will have problems.
From experiments, if the stitches are too close, the whole thing rips. Too far, doesn't stay together. A standard sewing machine is not good for pelts* as it has too much pull on the foot, the fur will get caught in the teeth, the hide will get ripped, etc.
* I know this is arguable. People who are whizzes with a machine could do it no problem. Those of us who are slightly less inclined with it will have problems.
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Perhaps with the young pelts, in an application like this that will have wear and tear (not just decorative), they should be fused to an interfacing material before sewing?
