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psichick78 Mar 24, 2006

Okay, so I'm just doing the final touches on this bear. I really like what I've done so far and I'm sitting here thinking that this bear should fetch a good price.

I've done the eyes, nose and  just have the mouth and shading left, and I notice that near the back of the head, you can see some of the stitches. I never noticed. Sure I used matching thread, but you can still see a good inch of stitching sticking out.  THere is NO WAY I am going to take apart the head.

So, can I still sell this bear? I've seen such few artists bears to compare to. Would a collector get this bear and be horrified at the poor workmanship? Or am I just being weird today.     

So, how are your bears? Is every bear perfectly symmetrical? Are the 2 footpads always the same? Can you ever see stitching? etc, etc, etc. Or sometimes, are your bears less than perfect, although perfectly cute.

Thanks for the input,

shantell Mar 24, 2006

Of course they are always perfect.... (laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor)

In all seriousness, NO!!!    There is always something I wish I would have done differently or better.  I've given up on perfection...it's just not possible.  Perfectly cute is the best I got!!!!   Maybe in a few years when I have a few bears under my belt I can achieve near perfection.  For now...I'm just happy playing in fur and finding a cute face underneath it!!!

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorMar 24, 2006

Yep, mine too.  Always 100% completely perfect.

Heather, get a grip.   

You could try ladder stitching the section together if it bugs you.  Otherwise, chalk it up to "artistic license."  As long as you don't think it will affect the lifespan of your bear (and it's likely only an aesthetic thing), let it go and forgive yourself for being the ONLY bearmaker who can't produce a COMPLETELY PERFECT teddy.

                     

Donna Mar 24, 2006

Heather,
Shelli is right, ladder stitch the area where the stitching shows.  If in the future this is a problem, double stitch your head.  Don't be hard on yourself, I have seen many of the big names that have flaws.  Some of them were so bad that I would not have put the bear on my table for sale.  It is good you care and this is a good learning experience for you.
Donna

thumperantiques Mar 25, 2006

Yep Heather, don't let it spoil your feeling for the teddy.  As already said, you can do a ladder stitch to tighten it up, but unless it reeeeeally bothers you and  it is like a 1/4 inch wide, I wouldn't do it.  I've seen a lot of artist's bears and there is often something not perfect about them and sometimes that adds character.  After all our bears are "people made" not "factory made" LOL.  Heck, one of my biggest disapointments, a few years ago, was finding out that a well know artist I really admired, used glue for a lot of things instead of stitching things together! 

                                                     Hugs,

                                                     Brenda

BrozZ BearZ Mar 25, 2006

My bears are far from perfect. I always get a stitch or two sticking out. I also think you should ladder stitch it.

Daphne Mar 25, 2006

Phrases like "Perfectly Symetrical" and "Exactly the Same" do NOT belong in teddy bear making or handmade work, period.

I'll spare you my story about the Amish... most of you have heard it a thousand times.

Essentially, we're human.... thus not perfect. Sure, it's wise in our work to avoid any outrageously obvious oopses... like where your stitches show... if it was a huge gaping whole with stuffing oozing out then you'd want to fix it.    Little imprefections are expected... like foot pads not being exactly the same.

To be honest, I find some of those imprefections add charm and character to a bear. But that's just MY opinion! It may not be the look one is going after, that's a different story!

You'll learn with each bear the areas you need to focus on in the 'making' process. I never went back to fix any of my not so perfect bears. I just learned with each one and loved each one the way it was.... and so did others!!!!!

:hug:
Daphne

Gail Mar 25, 2006

Hi Heather
If you were to draw a line down the centre of your own body you would see that you are not perfectly symetrical either- none of us are!!! If you don't want to sew each seam twice then just shorten the stitch length on your sewing machine and sew once. You could also put a hat on or a wide ribbon around the bear's head to cover the stitches
Hugs
Gail :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

matilda Mar 25, 2006

I'm totally horrified Heather.   I thought better of you.                                                                               
I lost points on a bear at a show because on one ear you could see a stitch. Mind you I had to get the magnifying glass out to see this stitch.  The moral to this story, is every single person has their own private view to perfection.  If your worried about it, fix it. If not dont bother. Relax and enjoy your bear.
Just dont be so sloppy next time.                                                Wendyxx  

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorMar 25, 2006

So, how are your bears? Is every bear perfectly symmetrical? Are the 2 footpads always the same?

Are you kidding?  Surely you jest, my friend!!!!!!!!!

nettie Mar 25, 2006

I double stitch every seam in the whole bear so that if there are  dodgy bits(hopefully not too many) I know they are safe.I would ladder stitch it as you are obviously worried and will no rest till its fixed.I made a mutant head the other day and tried to take i apart to use the stuffing.Thats when I knew my bears were bomb proof.It took ages to get the joint out and even loner to remove the eyes.I think a collector would have to inflict some serious abuse on a bear to damage it.
look at your finished bear in the mirror ,its like another set of eyes.
Diane xxx

Wisdom Bears Mar 25, 2006

Hi,
           I agrre, I double stitch all parts of my bears too. But I think although we all strive for perfection, how many of us really ever get there. Hugs Rita xx

clare14 Mar 25, 2006

I also stitch everything twice, and like Diane said, if you ever want to take a piece apart, it takes forever!!! 

I'm also finding that my bears are improving with everyone I make, which proves I am getting better at it - I hope!!   

I hope you get your bear sorted Heather, can we see a picture of him/her??   :hug:

Daphne Mar 25, 2006

"Perfectly" written, Lisa!

lapousmor Mar 25, 2006

Oh dear! Where are you all going????
Do you really beleive we are supposed to make "perfect" bears?  You are kidding, aren't you?
I my bears were perfect, I would not have anymore fun making them! What is making me this exciting feeling when bear making is to see every improvement I make with each new bear!
We are not programmed robots who cannot make any mistake. These are these little imperfections which give a soul to our bears. you embroided a strange nose on your bear? Oh, that makes him so special you would not dare redo it, would you?
Never forget that your bear is guiding your fingers when sewing! so if you ended up stitching a strangely shaped nose, that is because your bear wanted it! unless you were drunk, of course    !

So keep in mind that your bears are always perfectly lovable because you made them with your fairy fingers and your loving heart. by handmaking them you gave him a soul! If you don't fall in love for one of your bears, that does not mean he is not lovable, but only that he was made to be loved by someone else!!!

I am a bear collector, and I don't look for perfect bears but for APPEALING bears!

So stop stressing about minute details and stay yourselves!
I love you like you are, and not like I imagine you should be!     

Oh dear, what a philosophical speech I wrote!       

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

DebbieD Mar 25, 2006

:hug: Heather I hope you are feeling better about your bear  :hug:   And you've got a solution if that stitching is driving you nuts... go ahead and ladder stitch over it... BUT I daresay whoever becomes this bear's new mommy will probably love it to bits     

I have to say I was laughing hysterically myself over the title... My bears are "perfect" in my eyes for about a day or so, then I start finding things that I want to improve or that I "could have done better".  There are very, very few of my bears, or my other artworks, that hang around for that very reason.  I'm too derned picky...and I realize that is part of "me" and that's something that I've tried to improve over the years.  I realize once I've completed a bear or another piece of art, once I've laid down my needle or pencil, I *need* to let it be.  As for those 'blemished' bears or paintings or drawings?  They've all gotten homes with new owners who are not only daily delighted, but would be horrified if I tried to 'improve' it!!!     No, in their eyes, that bear IS perfect!      And that's as it should be.  :dance:

gotobedbears Mar 25, 2006

My bears are as perfect as me Heather!!!

No, actually they are better than that         

NOTHING is ever perfect we just perceive things as being perfect/imperfect Heather.

Bears are sewn - stitches are involved - so where's the problem with a few teeny weeny signs of the stitching?

You are just being toooo hard on yourself Heather me darlin 

Penny  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Tracy Mar 25, 2006

My bears are absolutely perfect!!!

         

Ha!! Yeah, right!!   I find mistakes in all of them, but try to put it down to the originality of each one.  As long as my bear is appealing, it's fine.  (Tell myself that anyway! )  If something isn't quite right, I usually wait to address it in the next bear, unless it's something simple to fix. 

You are just being toooo hard on yourself Heather me darlin

What she said!!!!!!

:hug:
Tracy

Judi Mar 25, 2006

My bears are only perfect in bringing joy to their new mommies or daddies.  Love itself is not even perfect.  Only GOD is perfect.

Lisa, I love yoru quote!

Judi Mar 25, 2006

See...look at my last post...typo queen!  I too amd sooooooo faaaarrr from perfect.

Ps...what's the definitiopn of perfect anyway?  How many bears out there have stitches coming out...on purpose!  To some collectors..that look is perfect for them.

psichick78 Mar 25, 2006

Oh wow, I'm touched guys.

I never knew so many of you made perfect bears!! he he he he he

I'm sitting here all by myself at work, just howling at your responses. What a funny bunch.
So thank heavens my bears don't have to be perfect. I can spend more time fretting over a tiny imperfection than I do with the nose.

Lisa, a great read. You are soo right!

Brenda, no way! I guess you can never tell with just a picture. who would've though they had used so much glue!

And I honestly thought I was the only one who didn' t make the foot pads 'perfect'. PHEW!!!!!

Wendy, can't believe you lost points because of one stitch. Even I think that's crazy.

So, because of you guys, I'm going to leave the stitching alone. Heck, bet no-one would even notice. Unless another bearmaker 

I'm really touched by your replies, thanks soo much.

and yes, I'll post a pic when I'm done. 

Cleathero Creations Mar 26, 2006

Perfection is the joy when someone finds the bear talks to them.  I look at my bears and think oh dear this should be done this way.....
And then someone comes long and falls in love with the bear even the ones I thought unloveable and they are the perfect owner for that bear.
The bears are perfect the way they are.