Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Sorry here's my foot picture...it walked away from me :crackup:

Matilda,

You are SOOOO right.  Let me take this moment to agree with you and my sore fingers and aching neck and shoulder too.  

I am currently taking the needlefelting course at EBearZ on line and one of the things that has become apparent is that the quality of the roving we are using is causing us some grief.  I have already come to the conclusion that I can felt until the cows come home and will never achieve the smooth finish I want on my bear's face because of the coarseness of the roving.  Fortunately I've learned that before the bursitis in my shoulder gets to bad.

I have two wonderful new sources for roving which I checked out recommended by our instructor

http://www.marrhaven.com/index.html
http://www.applerose.com/

which I pass on here... .  People who actually rasie the animals that produce the product and know something about the entire process...the roving looks 'delicious' ...

Pat

Thank you Ladies and Lads,

My bears suffer from too small a foot area...I have rectified the design...only one gory leg amputation required fortunately the other two bears have not had their appendages attached yet and the other two bears had their upgraded foot size cut out.  I have designed the foot flat to heel with the front quarter sloping up because I pull toes...that way there should be enough surface contact for standing without the toes interfering with stability...

my 15 inch bears have had no problem standing on their feet WITH pulled toes and arches. (see picture)..nor did my 17 incher...I haven't tried it with these big guys...but they are so much heavier.  When you increase the height of the bear seems to increase in size and weight it seems exponentially.

I use double felt for my foot pad because I have been pulling such tight toes for extra indentation and it makes a very thick sole...and I thought the addition of a flat piece of plastic or cardboard along the sole to help flatten wouldn't hurt so the bumpy pellets would also sit better Rowarrior.  Tell your bear, thanks for the help.

Pat

Pat

Hi Ladies (and lads),

I'm so glad someone picked up this thread because it has been so much on my mind lately and I have been full of what has inspired me and how inspiration EVOLVES. 

In my case, I started bear making about six months ago as a creative outlet visited upon a favorite longtime object of my interest and affection.  This evolved into a desire to perfect my craft which evolved into a desire to design my own bear which evolved into the question "what is my bear?"

That question sent me on a philosophical search for some reason because I had come to see these wonderful little faces taking form under my fingers as visible expressions of me.  I couldn't control what they looked like...they just seemed to happen.  As the venerable Spock would say, "Fascinating."

The search for "my bear" lead me through six weeks of arduous 'design' struggle.  Funny how that FIRST bear pattern is sooo hard but the subsequent patterns just won't stop. 

I turned to every fine artists' bears I could find on the web for inspiration...making special note of what I might want to build rather then what I found drop dead gorgeous....and I compiled a library of these artists.

I built my first bears....I was pleased with the prototypes.  Beginner bears.  But I couldn't move beyond them and I knew that was not where I wanted to be.  I lacked 'inspiration.'

Then an artist friend was kind enough to critique them for me and mention the anatomy of the real thing.  That triggered the next phase and the next inspiration:  Nature.  I spent a solid week studying bears.  That is what I do now...I build a bear...and it gets closer to A BEAR...and then another bear....and it is a little closer. 

I am now busily learning how to build what I call "Bear Teddies"... . 

When I studied the bears I learned so much about them, how the grizzly is endangered, the sad plight of the relocated bear, the strong and long maternal bond of bears, the amazing and unusual physiology of hibernation, and yes, color genetics (I am after all building bear suits)

I am now building what I call "Bear Teddies".  And I guess finally those two words sum up my two inspirations.

Pat, in search of the perfect bear

Ahhhhhh So, Becky, no I wasn't using 'large' disks...but I was using cotterpins on that bear and I was using appropriate size disks for his leg design(1 1/2" disk and 1/8" diameter cotterpin on 17" bear)...I think in retrospect, my design for his weight and height was too small a diameter joint.

For the 22" current bear...I am redesigning the leg joint with a 2 1/2 inch disk and 1/4" pin...think that should help the 'hula effect'?

This is becoming an exercise in physical engineering  Way

Pat

Hi Alan,

When I started bear making I went to my local sewing store and found that they didn't even carry the plastic pop joints anymore...depending upon what your resources are where you live, you may be having the same 'materials' problem I've had.  I ended up ordering my first complete joint sets on line either here at Intercal or at any of a number of other bear supply vendors...they come with all the necessary parts and pieces you need to joint the head and four appendages of whatever  size bear you are building.  And in the library here under joints you will find pictures and instructions on how to go about it. 

I tried jointing to the  body first and then stuffing, but found through practice that if I stuffed first with the joint in place ready to insert into the  body...that I would be less  likely to get a final joint that  was  too loose on the bear.  I also learned to  put the head  on the  body before the arms!  Very important...because things get  pretty cramped in the upper body...

Hope this is useful.

Pat

Shane,

With all that steel shot in their toes think of the things you could do with magnetic plates!    They could walk on ceilings!

I guess I am overfeeding the bears...I have most of the weight in the belly...that is very good advice...thanks I will definitely try the weight redistribution...also, I've been standing all my bears on pulled toes, which hasn't been a problem at all til now...

Thanks,

Pat

I was wondering if adding a dowel or my cable in the legs wasn't the way to go...I have only seen doweling in bears made to stand permanently and not bend or sit...the problem is where to connect the dowel at the top of the leg...which is why I was using cable.

I am stuffing extra hard but can change from polyfil to a denser stuffing (I found some bamboo fiber recently that is extremely dense at Jo Anne Fabrics --probably similar to excelsior in that regard) which I purchased initially for stuffing my muzzles.  I personally find it very difficult to get polyfil to compact to the denisity required in some of these areas.

Thanks for these suggestons...it is good to know I'm on the right track with the jointing...especially because it is certainly an investment for the hardware

Will it help, do you think with the lateral, sideways, movement in the hips too?

Pat

Dear Teddy Talkers,

Did you ever think about how many thousands of years of teddy bear crafting experience this forum represents?  Boggles the mind!  What a resource! :clap:

Anyone out there with experience in building big (20 inch plus bears) and making them stand easily.  How do you do that? 

Falling backwards or forwards on face is unacceptable.    No lateral movement in hips either preferred.

Am I on the right track for improving the problem?  This is what I plan to do to correct the difficulty I am having:

Moving up to hardboard disks with locknut joints.  (I’ve been using fiberboard and cotterpin)
Increasing foot size by one inch shoe size. (a pattern length of 8 inches)  (too small?)
Increasing weight in foot.  (What proportion of weight in foot to weight in belly for a standing bear should you have?)

He is designed so that ¾ of his weight is in the lower third of his body.  I also add cable in the leg to prevent distortion.  Bear’s leg position is center point on side of pattern and feet are positioned (my ideal) a compromise of half under, half to the side of bear with toes facing forward.  In other words, he is neither extreme foot position.
   
I’ve not had difficulty standing the bears (even with their pulled toes) until they started getting taller…(my husband says I’m overfeeding them )…He’s a very well behaved and patient bear and would like to get around better then he’s doing presently so any help would be so very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Pat and Chompzworth (awaiting legs that work)

Personally, we've never heard or seen the gingerbread man here in soggy north Florida...but the cats did have their tails in a twitter about something in the back yard this afternoon   

I'd better check it out...maybe if I can corner the scalleywag I can get him to sign a postcard over to the most adorable four year old passing for a bear I've seen on this web site!   

Gotta go...got me a gingerbread man to capture. 

Come on cats!  Sic him!

Pat

Another perspective.

These bears were reborn with the original artists permission in writing.  (that should address the two objections regarding copyright and artistic integrity)  Without reborning, these bears would have been consigned to the dustbin...unloved, ungifted, end of story.   She gave them new life, beauty, personality AND value...something without which, they would not also have been cherished...I just don't see anything wrong with that WHEN (and here is the big provison) the alternative was oblivion. 

When I get to be eighty and am smelly, with loose joints (already have a couple) and come to think of it I am beginning to resemble one of those bears; I wish someone could REBORN me.  I'll give them my written permission.

Pat

Hi Julia!

I have experienced the same problem you describe.  I found this great blog with terrific photographs at Paula Carters website on her blog under 'tips'....boy is that an understatement.  She has all sorts of great information there.  If you have some time...the set of tips is well worth your visit.  She should collect them into a book.  They are priceless. 

http://www.allbear.co.uk/Html/mainframe1.htm

Her method is a little more complicated then those described above, but she does it singlehandedly and I've seen it described elsewhere in the literature.  I think it works because you are holding the eye in place from several different directions and that would make for a more secure positioning (as well as allowing you to do some adjusting I would think as you position it.  I plan to try it on my next bears as I am not at all satisfied with my current method.  I am also investing in the longer needles...a must.

Pat

Congratulations Brenda,

I have been grooming cats for .... a long time

I enjoy it although it takes a special handling to work with felines and I am at an advantage working in a veterinary clinic with my more, shall we say, explosive clients, I am able to use sedation.  This makes the process much less stressful for both of us.  It is especially necessary for longer procedures such as shave downs. 

I've brought some of those grooming techniques over to bear making...I use my small electric clippers on the bears and my small greyhound combs.  I'm sure you will find some transferance and reinforcement of your skills.  I also think it helps with anatomy. 

Good luck in your new vocation...and relax and enjoy it.  The dogs will know it.

Pat

So many good choices!  I want to become a full time student 

The course with the cookies is a real come on!  But design is a priority...decisions, decision....  

Pat

Thanks, ladies, the books I have ordered are all used books from other sites. I've received confirmation that they are all on their way from all over the country and I'm anxiously awaiting them...I won't start on my next bear body without their input.--the head is done...but the body...I can use some help with

Pat

Kimi,

I can't think of a better way to honor the memory of Spooky and to heal some broken hearts.  This is the best news!

Pat and the purries of Faux Paw

Hi,

Stretching fabric is something I know about...I have several bear heads that turned into popcorn kernals to prove it!     I tried the iron on pellam, and linings; and then I discovered stabilizers.

With iron on interfacing the heat can damage the synthetic, the water soluable stabilizers will not.  I use Sulky's products.  It works very well for me...you can get them in several degrees of stiffness outcomes...or just reapply coats as needed till you get what you want.  I love them!  You can even put them on after you sew the bear up and before turning it if you need to, if you decide it needs more stiffning then you originally anticipated.  I've done that!

I paint them on the backing of the pieces after I've cut out the pattern and lay it out on wax paper over night to air dry fur side down.  You can put it on as wet as you want...really saturate it and it won't hurt your fur...and if it's still stretchy in the morning...repeat...

You can get it at Jo Anne's Fabric or order on line...just disolve in water as needed.  It also comes in an adhesive form but I loved the paint on so much I've not used the stick on yet.

Here is the link:

http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/solvy.php

Also, I've found if you mix up too large a batch...it seems to keep indefinitely without losing its potency

Pat

Thank you, Thank you! Gail and Paula!

It's back to Amazon.com!  When recommendations keep "gettin' recommended" and who can argue with the masters recommending the masters?  What a win win!

I told my hubby what I had done and he approved and added a couple of bucks to the library fund...he likes to see a happy wife  and he comes in very handy too for tightening those cotter pins

Pat (currently immersed in grizzleys)

Joanne!

OMG!  I am in awe of your craftmanship and your artistry.  Their story is so touching...and your characters are so expressive.  All I can say is "Encore!"

Pat

Thank you for your considered responses.  It is soooo helpful to have help in finding books.  I have selected and ordered three that I found available this evening that seemed like a good beginning, and put the others on my reserve order list at Amazon.  They all look like really good selections.  There are so many books and authors out there from which to choose and I really felt at sixes and sevens picking any of them. 

I already had my eye on the Laing and so completed that order...the Tillberg will have to wait till the bears buy it for me...sigh...and I ordered a couple more of the other authors I found in used editions at reasonable prices...that concentrated on patterns...one was out of print as I recall, another, the Ted Minton pretty pricey right now...I was reading it on line yesterday...he writes superbly...the beginning about the beginning of the teddy bear....Steiff and Roosevelt...the confluence of history and genius. 

I am fascinated by the Rotraud's book and read a couple of pages on line and visited her website...it too is on my waiting list at Amazon.   Did you know she has a DVD out on bear building?  Unfortunately not in English

Again many thanks...

Pat

I would like to invest in one or two good books on bear making, preferably ones with solid chapters on bear patterns and design.  (bodies and body parts are giving me fits as are proportions)

It would be really helpful to know some of your favorites and I would appreciate recommendations.  Something I might buy based on Amazon.com's say so might be totally wrong.  (You think? )

Anyhoo...it would certainly be helpful to have some knowledgeable input as a good reference would certainly keep me from 'reinventing' the wheel here, going down the wrong alley, backing myself into a corner, going out on the limb, digging myself in deeper     .  (I'm really enjoying this hobby, honest )

Thanx ladies (and laddies)

Pat

Cheryl,

I don't think i could sew  "Puzzle" with a pattern much less create one!  Wow!  What a charming pair and clever composition

Maybe Picasso could manage a couple more Puzzles? 

Pat

I just had to get my "AWWWWWWWWW" in!      

Pat

Good Morning Tomi,

The Lady Lorraine wears her fashionable hat with such grace!   

She is lovely. ...  Another beautiful creation....

I have tried needle felting muzzles but so far am confined to noses on my bears...so I can appreciate the skill involved in what you have created with yours.    

She deserves a very good home, because it is obvious she is a lady of great quality and refinement. 

Pat

Sue Ann,

My first prototype of Goldie (in dense brown synthetic one inch) which is what I have on hand to practice with, has gone well until the 'gather the neck' instruction.  The bulk of the furr, the darts and the inclusion of the front and back seam into this gather, make it difficult to a) gather b) thread the screw and attach the disk, washer and lock nut.  Correct that...for me, a newbie, it has proved impossible and I have resorted to a cotter pin joint which is too loose.  The synthetic does want to unravel and stretch and I have thought of a reinforcement on the second prototype to support the stitching and shaving the furr to reduce the bulk. 

What is the secret of dealing with all this bulk around the gathered neck of the body of a bear and successfully inserting the jointing mechanism.

Pat

PS--I'm awaiting my first mohair with great anticipation after practice bears.  Hopefully I can overcome this problem before it arrives with Goldie prototype Number 2!  I am dying to see her in the new Salmon mohair I ordered.  Thanking you in advance. 

PPS--I absolutely love your hares!  More please!