faux fur and faux leather - information

[Poney Racer]

Ladies and gents ( guys - com'on we have sewn a few things in our time).

I felt a need to post this and do not wish to get political as a newbie but...

Since I worked with faux leather and fur in the fabric industry I want to make sure that some info got out.

The faux fur and leather makers like to drum up support saying they are an "eco-friendly" alternative to slaughtering animals to produce real leather and fur. They are not eco friendly - the petroleum by-prodcuts left over from making these products are nasty and have a long shelf life to be nasty. Maybe they are animal friendly but saying eco-friendly is a serious misnomer.

I hold nothing against anyone using or wearing faux leather and fur as much as I hold nothing against anyone who uses and wears real leather and real fur. I am just sick and tired of the faux leather and fur people saying there are above the real leather and real fur people - because they don't slaughter animals. I see the industries both in same vane - as needing reform and control and everything can be fine with both - as long as somebody is watching the preverbial "farm".

Anyway, glad I got that off my chest. Hopefully I have not offended anyone - If I have I apoligize upfront. The garments you ladies have been making are quite astonishing to me - the art of handsewn products has not died!!

Poney Racer

[Coffee Em]

Glad you got that off your chest, hon--a weight like that'll give a fella bronchitis!

Fact is, most of the leathers used in garments--cowhide and pigskin--are byproducts of the meat industry. Using fake leather or suede probably won't save a critter's life, since the critters are being killed for food, not for leather. So you're right, even the claim that fake leathers are "animal-friendly" is questionable on some level.

For me, the benefits of fake leathers are that they come in big long even-edged yardage and you can machine-wash most of 'em. I figure if I'm a faux cowgirl (my legs ain't bowed and my cheeks ain't tannned...), I should dress the part!

Thanks for the info, darlin'--knowledge is never out of place.

Cheers,
Coffee Em

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

Very interesting Pony Racer, (not offended at all).

[Poney Racer]

Tks for the responses ladies.

PR

[DogWoman]

It's good to hear about the other side of the industry. Since I work in buckskins, many of my hides had dinner inside them first! *grin*

I also have explained to many in our area that if those deer were alive, we'd have them starving in our yards all winter and those lovely shrubs would disappear. This has become a HUGE problem in states like Pennsylvania.

Last I looked, we aren't exactly having a shortage of coyotes and foxes either.

There is a place for the faux leather though. It is a great substitute for those who want something easier to care for. Faux furs are becoming more realistic looking but they still haven't reached that luxurious feel or the winter warmth of the real thing.

[South Paw Sadie]

Dog Woman, you expressed my point of view perfectly!

[Nellie Blue]

Mine too!:bow

[Poney Racer]

Dog woman well said.

That is why I too do not fault anyone who uses the faux material.

I just don't like the left wingers using bogus info to further try to outlaw real leather and fur. They would if they could!

If I ever have to open a 100-200 lbs box of that stuff again though it will be too soon. That smell has been forever etched into my memory. Thankfully, a few days out of the box and in nice warehouse - the smell goes away quickly.

PR