Q. Loop vs Cut dilemma - Need your wisdom!?
Loop vs Cut dilemma - Need your wisdom!?
Hey crafters! Just messed up my first commission piece - was supposed to be this smooth, velvety cat portrait but ended up with a loop pile that made it look like a shaggy dog 😅 Client was surprisingly cool about it, but now I’ve got another pet portrait coming up and I’m torn between techniques. Would love to hear from experienced tufters about when you prefer cut pile vs loop pile, especially for detailed work like animal fur! Share your pet project stories too?
1 Answer
Hey there! I totally get your struggle—my first commission was a rabbit portrait that ended up looking more like a fluffy cotton ball than a cute bun! I learned the hard way that cut pile is usually my go-to for detailed fur. It gives that smooth, realistic finish, especially around the face and finer details. Loop pile can look great, but it tends to flatten out the intricacies, making it less suitable for capturing the essence of pet fur.
Speaking of techniques, I once had a client who wanted a portrait of her golden retriever. I went with cut pile and was able to mimic those gorgeous, flowing fur layers. If you’re still on the fence, check out this resource I found: flat shearing machine —it really helped me understand the differences!
answered by jordi

