I enjoy recycling once-loved items and preserving the past. So when I found my interest this winter drawn to furs like my Lilli Ann coat, I was soon browsing Pinterest for pictures and inspiration for types of furs, both faux and real (minus heads and feet!), and how to wear them.
Boas were generally narrower and longer than stoles, usually with fur on all sides although sometimes the underside would be lined with velvet or satin. Sometimes they were formed by two tails linked together. The photo above is an extra long boa formed with pelts.
While I like the glamour of fur stoles, I found I don't like their bulk and weight. And fur to me is an outdoor wrap, rather than worn with evening gowns. I like collars and fur trim on gloves and accessories and since I am not picky I don't care if it's considered cheap or expensive as long as I like the feel of it - rabbit for instance. But I do like the look of fur boas, often seen draped over ladies' coat or jacket shoulders in old photos and movies from the 1930s through the 1950s.
But I also quickly discovered that fur boas are more expensive and harder to find than fur stoles. So when I bought a generously sized vintage rectangular blonde mink stole on Ebay, the fact that the lining was tattered was not a problem because it was perfect to turn from a stole to a boa.
Stoles are often shaped, with the pelts running lengthwise. Sometimes they have pockets or collars, and can be very elaborate. But if you can find a plain rectangular one, it can easily be turned into a dramatic boa for your winter costumes.
Mine looked almost identical to this one:
You'll Need...
a rectangle fur stole
sharp needle with a small eye
sturdy sewing thread (quilting thread is good)
small scissors
a clean sheet to cover your work surface
This stole was not in good condition...The silk lining was rotten and was easy to tear off in shreds, but the pelts were also somewhat fragile so I had to be careful and even mend a few places along the edge. Buying fur off the internet is always risky, so I recommend looking for it at local antique stores first where you can feel it and examine it in person.
Then there was a padded interlining tacked down at intervals. These threads had to be cut and the interlining lifted.
Now we're down to the actual pelts. This was my first experience working with fur, genuine or otherwise, so I'm sure I have a lot to learn.
Once all the lining is cleared away, it's time to start sewing. Just fold it in half lengthwise, right side out. This will make it half the width of the former stole and put fur on all sides.
I didn't have quilting thread even close to the right color, so I used a doubled strand of regular sewing thread. Make sure you tie a good knot, then take a stitch in the edge of the pelt at the fold.
As you can see, the edges were still "serged", which was helpful, but I made sure to insert my needle a little beyond the edge to help distribute the stress. The edges might want to curl in, but keep them lined up flat.
The idea of sewing is to do an invisible seam, so that means take a stitch first on one side, then the other. This will make a zig-zag seam which you can pull tight after a few inches. Here's how it looks after a few stitches...
...and now pull tight and watch it disappear. You want it as tight as possible but without breaking the thread or tearing out from the edge of the fur. Don't stress out - the seam won't be that noticeable when you wear it.
Always insert your needle from the inside out. You don't want to catch the fur under the stitch or it will be hard to hide and look bunchy.
If you do try sewing a stole with lining, make sure you catch a little of the fur pelt along with the lining edge so the lining doesn't carry all the stress.
It's easy but tedious...listen to music or watch something while you work. I felt like throwing a party once I got to the halfway mark! But finally the last stitch was taken and it was done.
Now with its diminished size, it's ready to be thrown over a shoulder and worn with elegance.
So don't throw away your vintage heirlooms. If nothing else, pick apart the pelts and use them for cuffs or smaller projects. I have a 1930s wool coat high up in the queue that I have an intact lined fur collar waiting to be whipstitched to the neck edge. I like to think these items, once treasures, enjoy being reimagined.
And that's the little how-to for February. Enjoy!
~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio
Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, etc.
Excellent tutorial! I was always curious about the difference between a stole and a boa, seems people use them interchangeably :)
Posted by: mola | 12/20/2024 at 07:58 PM