10 Replies

@kandipocalypse: i've heard of google, silly! i just wanna get multiple explanations so my brain actually takes it in

@huggy_hugs: haha yeah it's one of my big interests right now :]

i handstitch all the trinkets on my clothes, have made jacket sleeves from scraps etc for my kutte, so i have a wee bit of exp in this field i guess haha. when working with what i assume is a faux fur fabric and a base fabric, i would make a pattern on paper or on cardboard first so if a mistake is made i can start over/fix it. i'd suggest getting a seam ripper, and make sure the needle you use works well for what you need done.long needles for running stitches (looks like the dashes in a road, gap between the stitching and the edge of the fabric), curved needles for whip stitch (loops over the edge of a fabric in diagonal or slanted lines), short straight needles for blanket stitches (loops over the edge of the fabric but has an extra line - think a T shape - where the thread catches the previous stitch's loop to lock edges in place).

for a super strong stitch that can be used for ears even if you use stuffing, i would suggest flipping ears inside out, doing one running stitch along the entire triangle (with space so you can still flip it back from inside out), then tying it off, and going back the other way with a blanket stitch. i use that method for a really strong, machine washable stitch, and it lasts until you decide to seam rip it cause it is strong i tell you haha

if the fabric for the ears is thick, maybe get a stronger needle (you can test this by slightly bending the needle - test its pliability carefully though don't hurt urself and don't actually bend bend it,, just like,, be careful haha) ,, even weaker needles won't bend like a paperclip but there is a noticable difference between the weaker ones and the stronger ones you can kinda just tell idk how to explain that part but !

general rule of thumb - thicker or at the very least stronger needles for more leather/jean/canvas materials, thinner and weaker needles for more cotton, spandex, felt, sheer materials

lastly, thread. you didn't mention what kind so i don't want to assume, BUT i would not suggest these sewing kits: ... they are cute and i love them, but they are for small mends for little pieces of a larger work, not for starting a project from the ground up. usually these threads' fibers tear away easily as it is usually a fully organic material, and will knot up even easier... instead i suggest two good spools. one in white, one in black, so it can blend in easily with any fabric without breaking the bank. i use coats & clark brand dual duty/all purpose thread,, it is super strong and silky, so they almost never knot when i'm using them to sew

hope this helps !! -isadore

@ramuda: thank you! that's actually quite helpful