A few questions about sewing...

[kaliamberscale]

For those who do a lot of handsewing... is a good hand stich stronger or weaker than a machine-sewn stitch?  I realize a lot of it depends on what type of thread you use, but in general, how durable is a hand-sewn fursuit?

I hate sewing machines!  Loathe them... Want nothing to do with them.  It doesn't help that I have virtually no experience with

Comments

[kittrel]

I can't answer about hand-stitched fursuits, but I wanted to mention the machine I got maybe 8 or 9 years ago. It's a Simplicity Denim Star. On Amazon it's listed as none available but you may be able to find one elsewhere if you are interested? My machine is really easy to use, very straightforward with no confusing settings. It's very much like the very basic machines I learned to sew on in home ec class ages ago. It's made to go through denim, so has no problem with fur as long as I use the appropriate needles. I don't sew all the time, but I use it fairly frequently and has never had to go in to a shop since I purchased it, and I think I paid just $125 for it

[skanrashke]

This is actually a pretty complicated question, lol. Summary = thread type and is the thread matched properly to the fabric type? Upholstery is a very strong thread but dependingo n your stitch type can rip the fabric rather than the thread breaking. Machines are generally easier for the novice because they can't run more than a half dozen kinds of thread, all of which are GENERALLY appropriate for fleece + fur. Of course then you run the risk of your stitch not being strong enough. If you're machine stitching then you're probably using all purpose and a straight stitch + a zig zag are generally sufficient. If you're hand stitching, upholstery w/ a straight stitch and a running stitch of some kind are probably your best bet, or a heavier gauge hand quilting with a very very very fine straight stitch and a locking stitch are an okay substititute in my experience.

[beetlecat]

Basically if you refuse to use a machine then you'll be gimping your own production. Both good handsewing and good machine sewing can work and I'm not going to enter that minefield. The biggest differences is, as you say, machine sewing is faster. If fursuits is just about sitting and filling time with a hobby (I want to emphasize I'm not being derogatory here. That's what hobbies are for. To do something enjoyable for a while - not magic up a finished product) then it really doesn't matter and I say do what you enjoy the most. If you start to get frustrated and want to see more results then you'll know it's time to look into getting a sewing machine.

I hated machine sewing when I started but I hated handsewing more and that is the only reason that I ever kept with the machine until I mastered it XD

[laughsatthunder]

I know this'll sound weird, but I hope it helps you a bit, if at all.

I hand sew EVERYTHING I do, but I needed to finish a bodysuit for a convention (thankfully it was my own). I had hand sewn the armsleeves and legs, but my mom had machine sewn the rest of the body and shoulders. When I went to the convention, the middle torso and shoulders popped! My mom probably had too much tension when sewing it, so maybe that was why it got loose? She had never sewn faux fur until then (she used to work for Banana Republic as a fashion designer :D).

So yeah, story time! Hope I helped a little. c:

[emirasan]

I'm no fan of machines either so I hand sew all my fur stuff. I use upholstery thread and an overlapping stitch. I've been able to wash things multiple times in a washing machine without popping a stitch or tearing fabric, although the way I stitch it will probably be the fabric going first at some point.