How to sew mittens from an old sheepskin coat

Fur mittens are an essential accessory for extreme cold. This winter wardrobe staple is highly valued by outdoor enthusiasts, winter fishermen, and hunters.

However, the cost of natural fur items is quite high, and even a beginner can sew mittens from a sheepskin coat. A sheepskin garment with worn-out sleeves or tears is perfect for this. With the right approach, such material is ideal for the job.

How to cut out fur mittens?

If you are using an old garment, inspect it carefully and choose areas where the leather is undamaged and not shiny, and the fur is not worn out. Keep in mind that the pieces will be cut in mirror images, and trace them on the right side with a 0.5 cm seam allowance.

What should you use to cut leather and suede? A special leather knife is best, but a sharp utility knife will also work. Cut gradually to avoid damaging the fur; for curves, you can use sharp-tipped embroidery scissors.

The top part of the mittens can be cut as a single piece or combined from leather and fur, but in that case, you must add seam allowances.

Ready-made fur mitten pattern

The provided pattern is for size M (palm width 8.5 cm); to increase it, simply add width and length to your desired measurements.

You can also use ready-made mittens as a guide, especially if sewing for a child. The pattern consists of 3 parts: the bottom part with a thumb hole, the top part (the same base but whole), and the thumb piece. Cut 2 of each. If desired, the bottom part (cuff) can be extended by 2-3 cm, cut separately, and sewn on later with the fur facing out.

How to sew fur mittens

Method 1

If you are sewing mittens with a natural fur lining (using scraps), you can machine-stitch them after basting the edges. It is best to assist the feed with a sharp tool, such as a seam ripper. Use a straight stitch with a 3 mm stitch length.

Method 2

Thick leather is best sewn by hand using strong nylon thread. This is a great option for making warm work mittens from an old coat or sheepskin vest. You can see all the details in the video tutorial.

https://youtu.be/rnD82eUeDZs

Method 3

Sheared sheepskin is best sewn by hand, joining the pieces wrong sides together. This seam becomes decorative and embellishes even the simplest mittens.

Alternatively, you can sew mittens where only the top is fur; they are more comfortable for everyday wear, and you can use the same pattern.

For another practical upcycling-style sewing project, see the guide on sewing a reusable eco bag.