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When I make my rabbits I cut out the pattern and then trim the fur back 5mm on the edge to allow for a less bulky seam. It's a tip I read about when I first started making rabbits. 
You do get a better finish I think and I have tried not doing it but if you get the fur trapped, you can end up with gaps in the stitching which is really annoying. 
I just wanted to check that this is what makers generally do. 
It is the part I dislike the most and find it's very time consuming. 
So if I have missed out on an alternative way of doing it, or if you don't do it , can you let me know or give me some advice? 
Many thanks
Shelly. 
Hi Shelly,
Yes, I trim my seams also. Yep, it is time consuming... but I do see a difference, so I keep doing it
MerBear OriginalsI find it depends on the type of mohair I'm using if I have to trim seams or not. Definitely on the plush dense types though.
Marion
Hi Shelly, 
I trim the seams before sewing as well. I use an electric razor....the kind for trimming up sideburns, moustaches and a short haircut at the nape of the neck. I put a permanent mark on the blade so I know exactly how far in to trim. Zip, zip....it's that quick! If I remember later today, I'll post a picture so anyone out there who wants to go this route, knows what to look for.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Dances With Teddy BearsOh, Aleta ..Please try to post a picture.
Sounds like a faster way, and I think I have one of those razor thingys, somewhere.
Thanks!!! :hug:
Ooooh....I'm so glad I clicked on this thread! Aleta, you are a genius! I never thought to use an electric razor for trimming the seams, and I absolutely hate to trim them with the scissors .......do it anyway though with the dense furs as I feel it's needed for a nice finish. Anyway, Darren has an extra trimmer that I'm about to confiscate...poor man, the things he gives up for me and my bears!
Laurie Lou BearsI do use a lot of sparser mohairs so I don't trim the seams as I don't think it is necessary but if I use mohairs with any thickness to them I always trim them(even if it is one of those more boring things to do) because it gives a neater finish.
Laurie :hug:
I always trim my seams Shelly. I was first given that tip by Frank Webster of Charnwood Bears, many years ago .. he said it would give a professional finish and he was absolutely right. It is time consuming though and pretty hard on the hand joints too if you are trimming up more than one bear at a time. I've never used trimmers though ... might have to give that a whirl one day!
I did buy some trimmers a while a go and they are OK but you do need control. It didn't make a huge difference to me but I will wait for Aleta's photos just in case she has a secret skill!
From now on when ever I'm trimming my seams I'll picture you all doing the same :dance:
I shave every seam and have been using my beard trimmer to do so for years, but last year I bought a trimmer kit that has multiple exchangeable heads. one of them is only1/4" wide, and absolutely perfect for shaving seams. unfortunately, it doesn't work worth a hoot on sassy fabics - sometimes I can't even get my scissors to shave sassies. . . (quick, say it 5 times, fast!)
one of them is only1/4" wide, and absolutely perfect for shaving seams.
MerBear OriginalsKelly, If I shave Sassy fabrics I use my small Fiskars with success.
Marion
kellydean wrote:one of them is only1/4" wide, and absolutely perfect for shaving seams.
Now that sounds more like it. I haven't seen one that narrow, so I'll look out for one.
TJ MaXX is usually full of them 'round the holidays, at a discount. I think I've seen TJ's in england.
Marion, the little fiskars is what I use for everything (I'm a lefty and regular scissors are hell) but sometimes it just don't wanna cut, esp on the bottom edge, when you're trying so desperately not to cut the pile. . . :pray:
Marion, the little fiskars is what I use for everything (I'm a lefty and regular scissors are hell)
Aha! This we have in common Kelly!
I file down the lower tip of my fur-cutting Fiskars down just a smidge. I find that it helps me not catch that sharp, pointy tip in the weave & lessens the chance that I'll cut the pile.
it renders the scissors totally useless for trimming the edge on sassy, though,so I've got a bunch of them lying around.
Okie dokie....pictures!! My shaver/trimmer is rechargeable so I don't have a funky cord to get in my way or pull in a direction I do not want it to go. Just for the purpose of picture taking I've taken a picture with a piece that was already trimmed. See what a clean line it leaves! Oh, and I'm not a lefty. I had to hold the trimmer with my left hand so I could get a picture with my right hand! That took a little juggling! I think you can see the line on my shaver/trimmer in the upright photo.
Because I do bears in multiples....drawing, cutting, trimming, etc.....I'm able to do a bunch of bears all in one go. And, the best part, no hand trauma/carpal tunnel!!
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Hi Aleta
What make is your trimmer and where were you able to purchase it?
Hugs
Gail :hug: :hug: :hug:
Wazza Bears AustraliaI have used my clipper for years on my bears. I actually use them for the whole piece of mohair. I do like the thinker mohairs but they are for larger bears. I get my clippers out and give them a Num 1 or 2 with the clippers and then I can make a 3" bear out of them. I do use them on my biggers bears to trim the seams as well with no attachments.
Great advice Peta. I never thought of using clippers to give a whole piece of mohair a shave. I must give it a go. Thanks for letting us know.
EJ's CraftsI work mainly in plush and I use the little Fiskars sissors too and a few months ago I started to use a trimmer which is so much faster and easier on the hands. I didn't realize that other people were doing this too. By the way, I am a lefty too
Matilda Huggington-beareI learnt the trick several years ago here on TT. It's been one of the best tips. I graduated from a moustach trimmer to one of the grown up versions that Aleta has shown. My tiny battery moustach trimmers are excellent on sassy fabrics.
Hi Gail!
Mine is a Panasonic and I bought it at a retail beauty supply store. I'm sure any brand of the same thing would work just fine. I can't remember what I paid for it. You may be able to buy something like it on eBay! Ebay is always my "go to" place when I'm looking for something specific and don't want to run all over town trying to track it down.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
but when you then have to do the lower edge of the pattern piece and the fur is overhanging.....that's the awkward bit mine's a sassoon that I picked up at TJ Maxx for 12.99 last Christmas when my old one burned out. it has interchangeable heads, works both cordless and corded, which is great when you have a big trimming job. it also has a 'power boost' button to rev it up when you hit - literally - a snag.
I use a set of heavy-duty power dog trimmers when I want to shave down large expanses of fur. I figured if they worked on a cocker spanial, they'd work on mohair - and they do.!
Posts: 16In making miniature bears, (4 - 6") of sparse mohair, I use a needle to push the mohair under my seam line as I hand sew but sometimes when I turn the bear the on the right side the hair is sticking straight up on the seam line. What am I doing wrong? If I would shave the seam, which is miniscule, would that solve the problem?
