Faux Fur

Responsibly produced fur made of synthetic fibers

Choosing fur no longer has to come at the expense of animals. Nowadays, there are plenty of synthetic alternatives to fur available. These fabrics look like fur; for example, they have the hairy, fur-like appearance of real fur. However, no animals have to suffer to produce these fabrics. These fabrics are known as imitation fur, artificial fur, faux fur or fake fur. Materials such as polyester and modacrylic fibers are used for this purpose. These fabrics feel just as warm and soft as real fur. That is why they are also used for the same type of clothing. Fur, both real and synthetic, is especially popular for winter jackets.

A major advantage of faux fur is that it is a real fabric, unlike animal skins. As a result, it is generally much easier to sew clothing using the synthetic variants. Furthermore, faux fur does not need to be stored in a cool place, and moths generally leave synthetic fur alone. Imitation fur is therefore not only a choice that benefits animals, but also yourself. In addition, clothing made of polyester and modacrylic fibers is known to maintain the wearer's body heat well. That makes the fabrics ideal for winter jackets and other clothing to wear during the coldest days of the year.

Our collection of synthetic fur is extensive and varied. We have fabrics with long fibers reminiscent of traditional fur collars, but we also have fabrics with shorter fibers that are suitable for making sweaters, vests, or blankets, for example. In addition, we offer imitation fur in various colors. So, you can choose from faux fur with a fairly natural appearance, but we also have fabrics in various exuberant colors in our range. Some fabrics even feature an elegant mottled effect.

From animal skin to imitation fur

Fur has probably been worn by humans for longer than we know. It is likely one of the first materials ever used for clothing. It is known that Neanderthals wore animal skin clothing 40,000 years ago, but the history of fur probably goes back more than 120,000 years. At that time, fur had clear advantages over other fabrics, such as linen and silk. Fur offers excellent protection against the cold. Originally, fur was worn with the hairy side on the inside, but in the 19th century, it became the trend to show the fur on the outside.

The history of faux fur goes back much less far. In 1929, an experiment was carried out for the first time using an alternative to fur that was made entirely of animal skin, although alpaca wool was still used for artificial fur. Initially, imitation fur was of much lower quality than real fur, but technological developments followed one another quickly. The basis for modern faux fur emerged in the 1950s when acrylic polymers replaced alpaca wool and no more animals were needed for fabric production. New solutions are still being discovered regularly to develop faux fur further and more responsibly.

Compared to real fur, faux fur often feels more supple and warmer. On the other hand, fake fur breathes less well than the natural variant, which can make you sweat more when wearing clothing made of synthetic materials. However, synthetic fibers are much more colorfast than real fur, which tends to lose its color gradually over time when dyed. Additionally, synthetic fur generally lasts a long time. Only in extreme situations such as professional winter sports can fake fur be the wrong choice because melted snow can freeze on the fabric.

Sewing tips for faux fur

Sewing clothing made from faux fur is generally much easier than from real fur. Because the fabrics are made of synthetic fibers, it is a good idea to wash the fabric before making into clothing. Polyester and modacrylic fibers can shrink the first time they are washed. Additionally, the fabrics are sensitive to high temperatures. They can be machine washed without any problems, but make sure that the temperature does not exceed 30 degrees Celsius. After washing, let the fabrics air dry because the dryer would be too hot for synthetic fabrics. Ironing is also not recommended.

Sew faux fur preferably in the direction of the fibers, so that they lie nicely flat during the process. Although faux fur is quite thick, you can use a universal needle for sewing. The density of the fabric is not too high. We recommend stitching the material with a larger stitch than you would use for most other fabrics so that the fibers can be easily loosened. A roller foot is essential for the thickest materials. It is advisable to cut the pattern pieces out of the fabric. Do this on the back so that the fibers at the front are not damaged.

Buying faux fur fabrics online

Once, fur was worn because it was the best available material to stay warm in winter. Over the years, the furry look of fur has also become very trendy and has remained so. Due to the developments in synthetic fabrics, no animals need suffer today to make a beautiful faux fur coat, hat or other clothing. Quality Textiles offers a very wide range of faux fur in various colors and styles.