Reply To: 1 – Fabric Selection

[Laura Lynn]

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!