Introduction: Faux Fur Stole Wrap With Lined Pockets.
Stoles are a fantastic way to keep warm when a coat just wont do. They make excellent wraps for formal events, balls, proms, weddings, and also period costumes. The added lined pockets are wonderful for keeping hands warm and holding items in place of a handbag. This project can be made in a day, and allows you the custom choice of furs and linings not always available in pre-made ones.
You can use most types of fake fur for this project, but be aware that the cheaper fake fur is often poor quality. This is fine for a fun costume, but if you want a really nice look I recommend looking and feeling several types within your budget.
Shorter pile fur is easier to sew with and is more in keeping with traditional stoles. Take time to choose something you really like - there are dozens of different colours, styles, patterns, and pile lengths.
You might also like to consider how your stole complements both your hair colour and the colours of the outfit you plan on wearing it with.
I suggest you check out this link before you start my Instructable:
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Cut-Sew-Faux-Fur/?ALLSTEPS#step0
Especially if you are using medium/long pile fur.
It gives a good outline on using fake fur including sewing which can be quite tricky.
*Here are the outlined instructions for a stole with fully lined horizontal pockets. If you do not want pockets, skip steps three to eight.
*This wrap stole is rectangular as it is the easiest shape to explain and make. Many stoles are shaped so they are wider where they cover the shoulders, and narrower as they come down from the shoulders across the torso. You can adapt this instructable to a shaped stole if you wish, but you will need to come up with the shape yourself and alter all the lining accordingly :)
This is my first Instructable, so if anything is unclear let me know.
I would love to see how your creations turn out.
Good luck!
What you Need:
Length of Faux fur (at least 160cm long, more for a longer stole, and as wide as you like but I wouldn't suggest wider than ½ meter).
Thread to match fur colour.
Lining or Satin in a colour similar or lighter to fur colour (or completely different if you wish).
*If your fur is less than or equal to 30cm wide and 160cm long, you should have enough lining if you buy 1m x 2m.
Shears (use a razor blade for cutting long fur).
Pins.
Sewing Machine and hand needle.
Step 1: Step One
Lay out your length of fur and measure across its width in several places to make sure it is the same all along. Ensure you measure the back/wrong side (not the fur side which can vary according to fur length/pile). Trim any excess make the width uniform.
Step 2: Step Two
*If the lining is shorter than your fur length you will need to create one long length by joining two pieces of lining together.
Step 3: Step Three
Wrap the fur around your shoulders so it hangs down as you would wear it. Mark with pins where your hands would sit comfortably for the pocket openings.
Mark straight across the width where your pins lie.
Measure three cm above your pinned line, and cut along this new line. Do this for both ends. You should now have two small and one long pieces of fur.
Cut out four pieces of lining the same size as the smaller fur pieces (ie two lining for each smaller fur piece).
Step 4: Step Four
You should now have one long piece of fur, two smaller pieces of fur, four smaller lining pieces, and one long piece of lining (which equals the length of the three fur pieces when laid end on end).
Serge/Overlock or Zigzag the edges of all pieces you have cut out (lining and fur). Hold the fabric taut as you stitch the lining or it may pucker.
Step 5: Step Five
Pin one of the small linings to a small fur piece along the top edge (where you cut it from the larger fur piece) right sides facing, and sew it 1cm from the edge using medium-long stitches. Do the same with the other small fur piece and another small lining piece.
Step 6: Step Six
Pin one of the small linings to one end of the large fur piece (along the edge where you had cut off a small fur piece) right sides facing, and sew 1cm from the edge using fairly medium-long stitches. Do the same with the other end of the long fur piece and another small lining piece.
You may wish to press the seams at this stage.
Step 7: Step Seven
(a) Take one of the smaller fur-lining pieces and lie it on top of the larger fur-lining joined piece so the right sides of the fur face each other and the right sides of the lining face each other. The edges of the lining should match up.
Sew the two lining pieces together with a zipper foot as close as possible to the fur edge, leaving at least 10cm in the middle unsewn for the hand to enter the pocket.
(b) Fold down the small bit of fur so that it faces upwards (see second picture).
Sew through all four layers 1cm from the edge using medium-long stitches along the bottom and two sides up to the top of the pocket.
*If you are short on time or patience (it can be quite tricky!) you can skip part (a) and just stitch the top edge the same as you have for the other edges in (b), leaving a gap in the middle for the hand to enter the pocket. I won't look as 'professional' but it will do the job and potentially save you time and frustration! Make sure you sew with the fur nap (ie not against the direction the fur lies).
Step 8: Step Eight
Place the long length of lining on top of the fur, right side facing the right side of the fur (you might want to iron the lining first on a low heat if it is creased).
Pin the two pieces together, and stitch about 2cm from the edge along all four sides leaving about 20cm un-stitched along one of the long sides so you can turn it right way around.
Step 9: Step Nine
Turn the stole right way out through the gap you left open in step ten. Use a pointed object such as a pencil to push the corners on the inside.
Hand stich the gap opening closed using a 'ladder' stitch (google it if you are unsure how to do this).
Iron the stole by placing a thin towel or other cotton fabric over the fur and lining sides.
*You might like to add a clasp or button and loop to hold the stole closed. You can also use a decorative brooch for a more versatile option.
Step 10: Step Ten
Wear it with pride!
I hope you receive many complements for your hard work.