Abstract: A fabric having a furry surface comprising an elongated strip of a hair-coated skin of a fur-bearing animal, said strip having a hair-free body portion and a hair-bearing portion extending the length of the strip at a lower part thereof such that the hair extends from said lower part substantially in or adjacent to a single plane; and a non-furry thread of reinforcing material sewn into and extending the length of said hair-free body portion. The invention provides a fabric having improved strength. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the fabric and sewn strips of improved strength.