Tutorial: Vintage Inspired Fur Wrap

Here it finally is - the fur wrap tutorial!  Fur lapels are really fun, whimsical pieces to add to a jacket or coat and is perfect for this fall season.  This tutorial is a fairly simple and quick project to make.  Below are the steps showing how to make your own!

Materials:

3/4 yard of fur (faux or real, whichever is your preference)

Lining (roughly around the same color as fur)

Step 1.  Cut out your pattern piece.  This will take some experimenting and problem solving depending on the length and width that you want your wrap to be.  I based mine off of the shape of blazer lapel.  Make a few tests from scrap fabric or muslin until you get the shape that you want.

 Your pattern should look roughly like the shape of the below photo.  Remember to add 1/2 inch for your seam allowance on all sides.

Step 2.  Once your paper pattern is cut, place it on the wrong side of your fabric and only cut one piece at a time.  Take a marker and trace around your pattern directly onto the fabric.  It's ok to use a marker for this, because it's not going to be seen.

Side note:  Ignore the lines on the below pattern paper.  I was using old paper that had already been marked on.

Step 3.  Carefully cut the pattern out using the very tips of your scissors.  When cutting fur you want to use the tips so that it doesn't cut the fur short.    This part can go relatively slow, but you want to make sure that you're cutting as little amount of fur as possible.  We're not giving it a hair cut at this point!  Another method is to take a sharp razor/exacto knife and cut into the pattern. This way of cutting is quicker, but make sure that you're still carefully following your marker line.

Once the first piece is cut out flip your pattern over and cut a second piece.  Cut the two lining pieces as well.

Step 4.  Once the fabric is cut out, pin the center back neck seams together.  You want to make sure that the fur is going inward when pinning.  This is because we want as much of the fur as possible to be showing on the outside so that the seam is as invisible as possible.

The easiest way to do this is to lay your pattern seams flat side by side, and then one inch at a time pinch both sides together and pin so that the fur is going inside the pinch.

Step 5.  Using a small stitch length sew the two pieces together.  Sew the two lining pieces together at this point as well.

Step 6.  After sewing, your seam should look like the below photo - all of the fur is going towards the right side of the seam.

Step 7.  Now pin the lining to the fur and sew around the whole wrap leaving a 5-6 inch opening at the top.  This is so we can turn it inside out later.  Remember to keep the fur at the seam going towards the inside all the way around.

Step 8.  After sewing cut several snips into the seams that curve.  This will allow it to lay flat.

Step 9.  Through the opening turn the wrap inside out.

Step 10.  Pin and hand sew the top opening shut using a whipstitch (link to a youtube tutorial on whip stitches).

Tada!  You now have a new fall accessory to add to any jacket!

If you make one, post a photo and share the link!  I've loved seeing all of the lovely variations of the kaftan tutorial that y'all created.  Also, if you have any questions about any of the steps feel free to add a comment, and I'll try to get to it as soon as I can!

Enjoy!