Moose Hair Tufting

The moose hair most suitable for tufting comes from the winter fur obtained between December and March. It is usually 6 – 8 inches in length and comes from the center of the back of the animal. It is picked from the pelt by hand, sorted, washed and dyed. Only the white hair can be used for dying. Natural dyes such as berries, bark and leaves are still used, but commercial powdered dyes and crepe paper are popular as well. After dying, the hair is dried and ready for sewing. The pattern for the picture is drawn with a small stick dipped in a mixture of flour and water, onto velvet backed by canvas. These outlines are drawn freehand, and no two pictures are identical, each is an original. The method used for sewing is as follows: about 15-20 hairs are held on the pattern, a stitch is made around the hair about ¼” from the end, pulled tight and knotted at the back of the material. This makes the moose hair stand up in a tuft. The long part of the hair is cut off about ¼” from the stitch, making the hair a brisk tuft. The remainder of the hair is used in the same fashion until the outline is felled in. The hair is then sculpted with scissors, giving the finished product as we know it.

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