Learn How to Make Teddy Bears › Forums › Teddy Bear Making Classes › Making Antique Style Teddy Bears › 1 – Fabric Selection › Reply To: 1 – Fabric Selection
Hi Phyllis!
That’s a great question. I do love that mohair for well loved bears, but yes, the curly matted issue does need a little bit of taming on the face.
What I do is this: I lay out my mohair with the fur direction going down (as I demonstrated in the Pattern Layout video) I will first try spritzing the mohair with some water, and use my slicker brush and brush the mohair down (the same direction it is going. That should tame it a bit.
If that doesn’t work, I would try immersing the fabric in some hot water – but not quite boiling. Follow my steps in the “Altering the Fabric” video.
Another method I have been wanting to try out is using a clothing steamer. I will see if I can give that a try next week. I will post my results via video here in the classroom.
I hope that helps. I do think the sparse, curly matted mohair will make wonderful well loved looking bears!