Fur Construction: A labor of love
Every fur represents weeks of specialized labor and fine hand craftsmanship. Furriers have specialized skills, which often have been handed down from generation to generation. The creation of each fur requires meticulous workmanship.
The following terms describe some of the elements involved:
FUR TERMINOLOGY

Brightener added
A process, which enhances the color of a fur

Dyeing
Process of applying dye to create a new color Dyeing is sometimes also used to correct any imperfections and to improve uniformity. Sometimes the pelt is bleached white before color is added.

Guard hair
Long, lustrous outer hair that protects the underfur

Knitted fur
A new technique that produces a soft, comfortable, fur-in/fur-out look and feel.

Leathering
Insertion of ribbon, cloth or leather strips along with fur strips. May be done for fashion or to lighten the weight of the fur

Letting out
Cutting the pelt into diagonal strips and resewing it to make the pelt longer and narrower Sometimes referred to as dropping out. The effect is supple and smooth flowing.

Mutation
Natural furs of special colors that are produced by selective breeding.

Plucking
To emphasize the velvet under hair of the fur all guard hairs are plucked before shearing.

Shearing
Cuffing fur to a short, uniform pile.

Shearling
Natural lamb pelts with the leather side often sueded and worn on the outside.

Skin-on-skin
Rectangular pelts are sewn together to create a box effect as an alternative to the letting out process.

Tip-dyeing
Sometimes called blending. Dye is applied only to the tips of guard hairs to produce more color uniformity.

Underfur
The underhair covered by guard hairs. This is the layer of fur that acts as insulation to provide warmth.