Sparse mohair

[Terri-Lee Sheldrake]

Help!!! I have made a very fluffy rocko and now I’m trying a very sparse rocko but it appears if I pull the fabric to hard the weave separates making small holes. Should I use a sort of backing on the fabric. Any tips welcome as I am very new to bear making. Thank you .

[Laura Lynn]

Hi Terri,

You may want to try this from Sassy Bears and Fabrics:  http://www.king-cart.com/sassybf/product=Fabric+Prep/exact_match=exact

If you are not able to purchase that, try making a solution of white glue and water (50/50) and lightly brushing it over the backing of the mohair.  Let it dry.

It will provide more stability for the fabric threads.  Although the water/glue may gum up your needles a bit.  Make sure you start with a fresh new sharp needle.

[Melani Moore]

Thanks for the info.

I purchased some mohair years ago which has no sizing on the backing.  It was referred to as ‘country’ mohair.  I tried making a couple of bears from it just sealing the edges w/ Fray Check.  That was not as succssful as I’d hoped.

I plan to try both the product for which you provided the link & the 50/50 glue.

[Laura Lynn]

Wow, no sizing!?  Is the mohair fairly secure or does it shed easily?

[Melani Moore]

The country mohair was offered by Edinburgh back in the ‘90s and was manufactured by Schulte so it is well made.  It was listed as C10 and the description made it clear that the backing had no sizing.  The pile is 5/8” & is sort of like string mohair in texture.  The only problem is how soft the backing is & how easily it ravels.

I look forward to trying these methods for stabilizing the backing.

It may be a while before I get back to you on how each process worked.  I had some serious health issues in the spring & wasn’t able to keep up with housework.  Then I retired & brought my toys home from school.   My house is a mess & I’m slowly clearing out, organizing, & preparing to get back to bears.  Since I purchased so much fur on ebay & etsy, much of it needs to be identified & labeled.  I was good about logging purchases into a database on my computer (& later on my iPad), but was not good about labeling it when it arrived.

[Laura Lynn]

Ok great!  I know exactly what mohair you are talking about.  I have quite a bit of that myself.  The backing of my “country mohair” is quite stiff unless I boil it.

I often try to stitch up my pieces soon after cutting them out.  It helps with the raveling.  I will be using the C10 mohair in the Antique Style teddy bear class.

I am so sorry to hear about your health issues 🙁  I hope you are able to enjoy bear making very soon.

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