Fur Hunting Muff Sewing Class - In Person 2 Days Long

Instructor: Rebecca Darling

Location: Harsens Island Lions Hall, Michigan USA

Dates: August 16-17 2025 (2 day long class) 9am-6pm

Course Fee: $425-$450 USD (cancelations or no-shows are non-refundable unless we are able to backfill your spot)

***Small class size 10 participants max***

I'll walk you through each step of prepping and sewing a hunting muff, from start to finish. All supplies and pelts (choice of beaver or raccoon) will be provided in the course and once complete, your hunting muff is yours to keep!

Day 1

• Proper use of the furrier knife

• Repair holes in pelts via ellipse and drop methods

• Stretch and block pelts

• Cut and sew lining

• Introduction to the fur sewing machine

Day 2

• Cut and hand sew fur muff

• Attach lining to muff

• Fabricate a lanyard

• Practice on fur sewing machine

Once you've finished the class you'll have the skills and confidence to take what you've learned and tackle your own fur sewing projects at home!

The muffs will be constructed by hand sewing but I will have my Techsew 202 fur sewing machine on site for demonstration and participant practice. 

You will receive a printed Darling Leather And Fur Hunting Muff Pattern to keep & Video Tutorial link (to reference after the course.) $65 value!

Pack a lunch or visit the local restaurant or convenience store during our lunch breaks. Fridge and microwave available at the Lions Hall.

Classes will be held at Lions Hall on Harsens Island. We will be in class for 2 days, with breaks and time to sightsee in the evenings. So, why not tour the island and see what it has to offer? Your class will be held just one block from the St. Clair River, where you can enjoy lunch and watch the freighters travel down the river. Just two blocks from class is Sans Souci- a small piece of island life in the form of “downtown” where you can find food, coffee, and a gift shop to buy souvenirs for your trip. Walk off lunch and take in the Island’s history with a walk around the museum or library.

Dig a little deeper into the Harsens Island State Wildlife Area, where you can wander the 3,500 acres, full of bird watching and shore fishing for panfish (open for walking January 2- August 31). Staying a few extra days? Bring your boat and take advantage of the water. The St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair are home to world class bass, muskie and walleye fishing. Water not for you? Take a scenic drive to “The Turnaround,” where you can see across Lake St Clair. If you catch a clear day, you can see the outline of the Renaissance Center in Detroit!  Come for the class, and stay for the beauty of Harsens Island!

Harsens Island is ferry access only (car ferry). I will provide each participant with 2 ferry tickets, good for 2 round trips. Tickets will be mailed prior to the course. After that it is $15 cash (they don't take cards). During the day the ferry runs as needed, you usually only have to wait 5-10 minutes for the ferry, and the ride is about 2 minutes. Overnight the ferry runs every 30 minutes from midnight-6am. 

Email me if you have any questions about the course!

Rebecca Darling