I love making stuffed animals and dolls, but i never had the chance to make one from mink. Lucky you, he/she is adorable.

How precious.

So cute. And I gave all my Mom's fur coats away - Darn!

hi Barb,
it is pretty much the same...cutting it makes the most of the mess. you just have to be mindful of the nap of the fur and try not to sew the fur into the seems. those are things that are similar to sewing with fake. i found it best to mark the pattern pieces on the skin side of the fur with a fine marker and cut it with a blade, rather than a scissors. i made a template for each piece, that way i knew i had enough fur, since i was working with a wrap or stole it wasn't a whole coat. my materials were somewhat limited. i used the lining for the paw pads (there was fabric between the lining and the fur and i also used that layer in the paws so, it was a bit re-enforced).
if you have any questions i will gladly try to help you out.
char.

Wow!! I am impressed. I'm sure it was no small feat. I have tried to make stuffed animals before and they never look like the pattern?!?!?! Good for you. And yes that is one lucky little girl.

what a great idea....did you go by a pattern? I would love to know how you made the bear.I love it. I have a mink coat just a hanging in the closet..............please reply.................judy

hi,
i used a pattern from the book, 'Bearmaking 101' by Carol-Lynn Rossel Waugh...it was project number 6, a jointed and gusseted bear. it was the first time i used 'real' fur. when you cut the fur it seemed the easiest to make a template of the pattern pieces and draw around them on the skin side of the fur and then cut them with a razor knife, careful of not cutting the fur. i used a leather needle in my machine. be mindful of pushing the fur toward the body or into the part of the bear you are sewing, that the fur is not sticking into the seem, this makes it so the seems are not so obvious when you turn you part, right sides out.
if you have any other questions, let me know. char.

Where did you find the pattern? Or did you tear another apart? Bear that is, lol. That would have really made him bare hunh?

Remember!!!!!!!When working with real fur. Keep it in a cool place in the summer months so it doesn't shed or rot.
I have a mink bear (actually my GD has it now)that my sis got with purchase of a coat.

He's adorable!!! I bet he is just hug-a-liscious too :D:D:D