Repurposing Sentimental Mink Fur Coats Into Bags and Scarves

Since my mom passed away last year, my sister and I have been hanging onto her old fur coats.  They are not the type of thing we would really ever buy or wear,* so I decided to make things out of them this year.

I have wanted to show you this for weeks, but needed Christmas to come and go first because I made these for my sister and didn't want her to see the post first.

I read a lot about how to cut fur and re-use it.  I found some articles through searching "repurposed fur," and also there were a couple of YouTube videos I found helpful (sorry, I didn't keep the links). 

One coat was enough fur to make two scarves and two bags. Here they are on my reluctant model:

Showing the frame I used for the bags:

My sweetest goofball:

Isn's she beautiful? She did, and would, make my mother so proud, and someday I hope she will wear these items and remember her grandma. I know my sister and I will. 

I hope you all had truly beautiful and happy holidays!

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*I understand the political ramifications of buying fur, and actually agree with the anti-fur people. However, where I might disagree is that I don't tell other people what to do. So even though buying fur is not for me, I believe in live and let live and try not to judge others. I share this opinion for two reasons: 1. I don't want people to send me nasty anti-fur emails. I didn't buy these, and when I inherited them I could have either sold them, thrown them away, or repurposed them. I believe that using them honors my mother. If you want to be mad at me for repurposing them, then ok I guess. 2. If you are a reader and have bought fur, I say no one has a right to judge if they have ever worn leather, eaten meant, etc. I know people disagree with me, but this is a design blog and I don't really have an interest in getting into an argument on this topic.  I won't be responding to comments inviting me to engage in that debate. I hope you understand.