What can be done with a very old mink stole ?

bury it and say a prayer:(

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/upcycle/q-mink-stoles-26028979

Make throw pillow or a handbag?

You could use it to cover a footstool, make a clutch purse, you could make teddy bears.

Hi!

You can make a pillow out of it, cover a small stool with it, add it as trim to a scarf made out of old sweatshirt material, add it to a sweater at the cuffs, add it to a store bought Christmas stocking to name just a few. Hope this helps!

Your first job is to have it cleaned. My Aunt left me her mink stole wrap. I'd had it in my closet close to 20 years.

I took it to a specialty cleaner that explained the process. Using crushed walnuts mixed with a specific type of oil they cleaned it and let it cure for 2 weeks.

It smelled fresh and the fur looked much "younger". The next step is to decide if you now wish to keep it "as-is". If not then there are a variety of ways to alter it to better suit you.

With the assistance of a tailor who has experience in altering fur one can create an entire new look if you view the fur as a new piece of cut fabric.

Depending on the length you can crop it into a bolo jacket or vest (both of which are currently "on-trend" in the fashion world). In reality bolero jackets and vests are always in fashion. The only thing that changes are the items you choose to wear around it.

You could make it 3/4 length sleeve, have it reduced to a hat and use part of it to finish off the tops of leather gloves or ear muffs. It can be used to create a new collar and end of the sleeves of another favorite coat of a different fabric.

The climate in which you live will probably dictate the functionality of the end result. Certainly these are more expensive options, but if it just sits in your closet in present form then you're wasting a wonderful garment.

In my case I decided to keep it as a stole and pull it out for special holiday dress up occasions. If it were full length I would have had it reduced it to a certain shorter length since the weather in Houston TX isn't conducive to a coat that blocks the coldest of weather.

Mink never goes out of style especially vintage pieces. However one can alter it to fit their personal style. Just be sure your choice of alteration is classic and timeless.

I've made teddy bears with them,if it has sentimental value. Then i gave it to my mom who the coat belonged to. It really made her happy

I had a seamstress make me a vest out of the one my Grandma gave me.