When you are sewing a hole do you make pilot holes or try to push the needle through the hide? I am trying to get better at handling my fur and was sewing a tear, I had a tough time pushing the needle through the hide. Just wondering how others do it also what size and type of needle do you use?

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Loopyuyts needles, from Matuska taxidermy.

They have the 3 sided blade, like a glover's needle, designed for sewing leather.
They also have a 90 degree bend, so you can grip them to push through easier.

Loopuyts Needles

Stop by a veterinary clinic and ask to buy a suture needle. They have different sizes…. I like the larger ones. Yes they are 3 sided.

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for advice

If I get a stubborn hide, I'll use needle nose pliers to help the needle through.

I generally use a glovers needle, and I have used suture needles at times. If you are ever sewing a dried hide, dampen it down and then use a round point needle, not a three sided one like a glovers needle. The round point will go through the dried hide easily, and the holes won't tear like they are prone to do when using a glovers needle on dried hides.

I also use needle nose pliers or forceps when working on something stubborn like the back of the neck.

If I can jump on this subject - I've never sewn a thing in my life, but I need to learn to sew holes in pelts. Is there a certain 'stitch' to use that works best on hides, or whatever keeps it shut (anything goes)?

same here

I like to use a glover's needle (triangular blade) and imitation sinew. For a stich, I use a baseball style stitch, always into the flesh and out of the fur. Alternate sides between stitches.

Before you sew the hole, pull it tight and if there are little peaks at the end, clip those off.

thanks