Bear rug help.

[bigbuk200]

Doing a very small bear rug. When applying felt to the bottom, do I glue it on? If so, what kind of glue, and how should I apply it?  Or should I sew it  on, and how should I sew it? Any tips would help.
Thanks
Mike

[jrosbor]

SEW IT!  It is the only way!  I don't know how many glued rugs I have repaired over the years.  Use a 1/4" whip stitch to sew the pad and felt on.  Rugging is getting to be more of an art than taxidermy.  Most taxidermist send out rug work to wholesalers like tanning.  Most people who do rugging, have a special table that is about 6 or 7ft round.  and it has a notch cut out for the head.  You lay the bear out flesh side up with the head in the notch.  Add the pad and felt layers and tack or staple them in place.  Start sewing!

[Mary]

Mike,
 Sewing is definitely the best way to attach a felt border to a rug. An industrial sewing machine is the best tool for the job. I have seen hand sewn rugs, but I would imagine that takes a lot more time and elbow grease (to hand sew through material and leather).
Mary

[Western Rivers]

Good advice, never glue.  Try B-J's rugs in High Ridge , MO they do awesome work!

[Tenbears]

I usually take a "to each his own altitude" on opinions about techniques. but rugging is one area that I stand steadfast. I have seen people on here tell beginners that gluing is acceptable. they do it all the time they say. I say shame on them. Gluing the backing to a hide is am amateurish attempt at doing something one is not qualified to do.
 I do a lot of rugs. Bear, Bobcat, Coyote, mountain lion, zebra, lion  name it. 
 there is only one correct way to do a rug. and that is to sew it. I do not care if you sew it by hand, it don't matter if you use two layers of felt, or a pad but gluing a rug is just wrong.  It is like trying to spray paint chrome onto a bumper. It just don't measure up.
 A top quality rug will have a backing pad sewn to two layers of quality rugging felt. I like to quilt them in a Diamond pattern to add the extra professional look. They are then sewn to the hide by machine.  If you are not capable of sewing them Do yourself, your customers, and the industry a favor. and send the hide out to be done. if you knew how many rugs I have had come in that were near ruin because some know it all rug maker tried to glue the backing to the hide. you would cry.

[Mary's Rugmaking]

As my friend Brenda Duvall once put it..."You would not buy a leather coat that was hot glued together..would you?"
If you are in need of a rugmaker ,check the supplier section for my ad. I have been providing quality rugmaking for the Industry for 18 years.