Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi all, thanks for all of the information. I did try a magnifying glass that sits in front of me and it was too strong. You only have a really small working area so yes, too strong won't work. My husband, Phil, brought home several different strengths of glasses (the ones from the drug store) and I am going to give them a try and see what happens. When I next go to the eye doctor I will just ask her what she suggests. The progressive lenses that I normally wear don't help much at all. I changed from bifocals hoping it would be better but I don't think it worked. It seems I am always out of focus. LOL!! Happy today, Ev

Hi Pat, Thanks for answering. I do have those and I believe they go up to 3.25 times magnification. The post I was reading was about glasses especially made by an eye doctor and I was hoping I could get way stronger ones. If all else fails, I will just explain what I can remember and hope she can puzzle it out. Hugs, Ev

Hi everyone!!! I came across a thread  a while back which included a few posts about glasses. It had to do with having glasses made which were like bifocals but the lower lens was simply a magnifying lens and the top a regular one so you could see to watch tv, walk, etc.  This sounded like the perfect solution for me but I am not sure what I am asking my opthamologist for? If anyone could point me towards the post I would appreciate it. Thanks, Ev

Thanks, Bobbie~I remember Grandfather!! I love that old bear and I'm so glad to see him again. Yes, I guess I am looking for room to experiment. And truth to tell, my gussets have generally been on the straight of the grain and then I have tried to work the sides of the head into what I am looking for. I have not been unhappy with my bears. I am just in a place where I know I have to change how I've always done things. What better time to try something entirely new and learn through the experience. A few years ago I started sculpting with clay to help ease the stiffness in my hands. I just love it. So to create a new pattern, I started sculpting my heads, legs, etc. from J-mac clay and took a basic pattern from that, sewed a vintage rayon prototype ( I have a huge bedspread that I bought that wasn't really good for much else) and then I start tweaking. I am hoping I will still have the ability to do it this way. Guess I won't know until I dive in again. Everyone's technique has evolved so much in the last few years it is almost scary!!! Brilliant but scary!! Ev

Thanks, ladies!! Yes, that was the difference I was looking for. I looked at Kelly Jo's bear and yes, that is kind of the picture I had in my head as an actual center seam bear. It seems so easy to get the shape of the nose the way I want it with just one seam. I have tried to shorten the gusset and the sides but I can't seem to tweak it to get exactly what I am looking for. I think it would be easier to tweak the rest of the head. I am going to give it a whirl and see what pops out. 

Hi All, I was just wondering what a true center seam head is. Designing a new bear pattern and I would like the nose area quite short; something I haven't managed to acheive with a gusset. I thought I should make the  head pattern  in four parts with a seam running down the entire front of the head to the neck joint and then the back of the head in two pieces. I can use darts to add any further shaping I would need. Is this right or is a center seam face just a gusset that is divided in two? Help please!!
Blessings, Ev

Funny, Bobbie. That is the exact video that I was watching while composing my post. Thought if I scanned pictures from my knitting book I might be breaking rules or copyright so while looking for another way, I clicked on this exact one and while there subscribed to her videos... Oh so many ways to wander!!  :redface: Ev

Bobbie, I always appreciate the great detail you use when describing a technique. I agree felt isn't exactly the best fabric to learn on but Lisa's video does show the stitch shape nicely. I also close on the top curve for the very reasons you gave. I haven't had much luck with a curved needle either, except on big projects like upholstery. I prefer to use quilting betweens #10. They are short and sturdy and they are a good fit for my tiny hands.
It would be great if you could find your diagrams and post them. I paged through some of my books and a few patterns I have poking around here and all of them show the ladder stitch as an "H". One even shows it like a parellel running stitch which I thought was very unusual. I remember way back when I was learning, I was taught the "H" stitch and only changed it because I knit and learned early how to finish a seam. I might poke through a couple of my knitting books and see what I find there for finishing technique. It's just so much easier when you learn something correctly right from the start. Personally I think the ladder stitch is one of the most important stitches I use. And yes, happy mattressing is appropriate!!  Ev (for those that don't know, this is called the mattress stitch in knitting!)

  Just love your bear... He makes me laugh and that is always tops in my world!! Ev

Hi all, This is Lisa Pay's version of the ladder stitch. Bobbie, I do hope it is the same as yours. I think this is a really good video of what you are describing. The Z stitch rather than an H. Hope it helps. Ev     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1YeMpto8nI