Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Here is an early one of mine, from the early eighties. Made from very nasty acrylic fur I found in our local fabric store. Couldn't get any components for it, so the eyes are appliqued circles of felt with an embroidered highlight and his nose is appliqued felt too. And he's jointed using cotte pins and discs I cut myself from a broom handle......we really didn't have anywhere here that supplied bear making stuff back then and the internet was just a dream!  He still lives with me.

I have to say I LOVE the needle threader on my new sewing machine! I never thought I would say that, but it sure does make life easy   

Are we going to see you at some shows in the near future Lisa?
Good to see you back making bears!
And here's to on going good health!

This is very common and has alot to do with the fabric and your sewing. When sewing legs you need to make sure that the same side is facing toward you for each. By this I mean if you sewed the first leg with the outer leg facing you, then you need to do the same with the second leg (have the outer leg facing you). Also, when you are cutting out the fabric you must be sure that the grain of the fabric is running in the same direction on all four leg pieces, this will help elliminate the twist. Left and right handedness can also cause this somewhat, as you will have a "bias" in the way you stuff limbs. I often see bears with their legs both pointing in the same direction, which seems to be a much more worrisome problem than just one leg doing it! I wouldn't get too stressed about it, you will eventually work out what the problem is, it's all part of the learning. 

I would have thought if it was cleaned and scoured, then wool is ok in your bears Cheryl. I've had a look on the AQIS website and can't find anything. I think New Zealand is stricter about wool. Even if you add in a sample of what's inside the bear so that they can see that it's clean, they're worried about biosecurity, (bugs and weeds) so if it's properly cleaned it should be fine. They let bears with wood wool in them in, which seems more of a biosecurity risk, to me than wool.
There is also corn fibre, I've had a go with it. It comes in different qualities, one is really slippery and bouncy so not very good. But the Raw fibre quality was pretty good, I prefer using wool myself.

Well I've found the cable, here is a quick snap I took before heading down to the post office the other day. 

Wow! It's amazing that they took the same time to arrive. The Gods must have been smiling, and the stars were aligned or something  I'm so pleased that you like Kari, Becky. This has been a fun swap, thanks Karon for setting it up 
I'll put her photo up just as soon as I can find the lead for the camera    Don't know where that's gone! (had a bit of a tidy up the other day and I fear Chris has put it in a "safe place"!  Oh dear, it may never see the light of day again!!!!!)

I'm very happy to say that my gorgeous bear "Rollo" has arrived all the way from the USA. Thankyou so much Becky (Dangerbears). I hope Becky has a good photo of him so you can all see how sweet he is       

I'd have to agree with you there Sandi! Who knows what they put in that stuff anyway, could have an adverse affect on the fabric over time. I'm very leery about using anything chemically on fabric, including hairsprays and gels for gettin the hair to sit right. Besides I think the white of liquid paper is waaaaaay too stark!

Into the lippy

Susana, I have added claws to bears as small as 2"
For the really small ones I use perle thread. Dip the end in PVA glue and roll it between your fingers to shape it to a point. Then use a needle threaded onto the other end to pull it into the bear's foot, you can adjust the length by the amount you pull it in. For slightly larger bears I use 1mm leather thonging. Cut small lengths at an angle so both ends have a point ant then make a hole in the bear's foot with an awl. Use a very fine nozzled bottle with PVA glue in it to get some glue into the hole and then use tweezers to insert the leather "claw". Both types of claw can then be painted with oil paint, I usually give them a bit of variation in colour so that they look more realistic. These feet are on bears 5" and smaller and they all have claws, the larger ones are leather and the smallest is just over 2" and has perle thread claws. Hope this helps     

Do you tack them in place first? When I make tiny bears I sew a single tacking stitch at the toe and heel amd maybe one each side to make sure each foot pad is properly fitted. Also, are you using running or stab backstitch? I feel stab backstitch wouldn't cause this problem.

Ah! I think I know your problem! The eye of the needle has worn the thread and has broken it (if I understand that you were using a doubled thread, yes?) You might need to change your needle if it keeps happening, I usually toss them if they do that as it means they have a rough bit inside the eye from manufacture and aren't worth persisting with! You can rethread both the threads but you will have to be careful when pulling your stitches that you don't keep pulling the thread off the needle! It will probably be easier for you (with no eye balls ) to simple start a new thread. Of you go back a few stitches and resew a little you should be able to then snip off the old thread.

Don't be silly, the candelabra is on the GRAND!

Are you getting bitten when you cuddle Arcto, Wubbie? If you are then you will have to treat him, if not then you can assume he's flea free! We used to have a real problem with one of our dogs who the fleas just adored, but when she died the flea problem vanished completely! (Even though we still had her sister) They don't just hang out on bodies, they hide in soft furnishings and carpet and come out when they sense a body nearby.

I'm pleased as punch because I have two nominations!   
I hope you all will get behind these awards by voting for your favourite critter this year, and help grow them into something truly spectacular and international by participating in future ACDAs! We have had participants from all over the globe this year.
I think that one of the best aspects of these awards is the hands on judging of the nominees. Each piece is examined independantly by three different judges and each writes a comprehensive critique of the work. This is extremely valuable feedback, and a great help in our bear/critter creating.  Many thanks to Sandi for all her encouragement and for all her hard work in organising the ACDAs!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

The ones I have read have used apoxy sculpt, a type of resin that hardens once the two parts are mixed. I haven't used it myself, but I imagine you just shove it in place and then shape and mould it while it's still malleable and it sticks to the fabric. I do wonder, though, whether in the long term, it will react with the fabric and break it down (and subsequently fall off!). It sounds pretty noxious, so I would be inclined to keep away from it. I have always preferred to use natural materials in my bear making. Perhaps those on this forum who use apoxy sculpt can enlighten us further. 

You know, Sue, I felt physically sick when I first read this thread. Then I was on FB and got the update a few minutes later and was so relieved, talk about swinging emotions!

Lyn, I think their bums are so hard because they are closely related to wombats who also have really hard bums! But use them for a completely different purpose! If they get chased by a dog or something, they head for their hole and dive in head first, with that nice bony plate to protect them sticking out! I love the feel of Koala fur, and it is just like alpaca     

I love that image! I used it as inspiratuon for this piece........

Hi Jnny, I use blogspot. It's very easy to use, even a computer incompitent like me can use it! 

Ah SueAnn, I definitely know how you're feeling. We get that every year here in Australia. This past Summer though, was very unusual. Everywhere stayed green and we never got that feeling, when we had go out time after time during the day to scan the skies. AND I only saw ONE snake! It was kind of a wierd summer....

Bobbie, Wubbiebear is blind. I think he/she means no vision in the blind sense not a "vision" in the artistic sense 

Yup, all ok with me and Becky, Karon.
It's going to be a fun swap   

HOOOOOEEEEEE! Karen, I can see why you don't want to own up to that costuming! He he! I found the dolls even more confuing than the bears, I think! (I didn't vote for any of the dolls)