Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi everyone.
Thanks so much for all the excellent help.
Update.
Edward has been fixed for now and successfully given to his newest family member. I just tried to fix what was urgent and am ok about his being a work in progress.
Master five has told me however that I am not allowed to operate on his tummy under any circumstances. He would also really like me to add the missing ear.
I am pretty pleased at how he turned out. I will upload some pics next post if I can.
My doll needles worked a treat although I wish I had read about attaching the eyes under the head before I did it! His nose looks great although if I'd had more time I would have swapped for a slightly darker thread. I copied the outline of what was there and found only a solitary image of a similar pre-WWI Farnell to copy as well. I love how you can do that on the net!
I used waxed linen thread for the eyes attached under the ears. I couldn't get hold of the right eyes as I only knew of Bearycheap and not the other Australian suppliers (thanks for that teeej) . So I guess I will have to replace them for the right size. They really look too big (20mm I think) but were the only clear ones (as per original eyes) I could get. You can't see the thread as Edward's mohair is excellent for his 100ish years.
The foot pads were the hardest. I used acid free cardboard for one foot - not sure if it was the mounting kind- and carefully stitched the original felt over the top of the replacement felt so he still has the authentic bits, but they are not doing any tension bearing work. The original wool felt was a much nicer golden colour than any I could get my hands on. I had to use a lot of strengthening stitches around the edges of the feet and pads as the fabric was pretty fragile there and it was tricky to get the exploding wood wool stuffing back into the feet and the cardboard flat and sitting straight. It took AGES. Obviously this must be much easier to do from the inside of the leg when making a teddy! Again I wished I could have gone shopping to get the perfect thread colour to hide these stitches but oh well! It's better to let go of those wishes in the interest of actually getting the job done sometimes. I have been meaning to finish Edward for three years now.

Hi Becky,

Thanks for replying. I would love  to make a teddy. Well I would once I get through the dozen or so unfinished craft projects in the queue ahead! I am in Australia and they do have a good teddy supply shop here but it's not so good on things for antique bears like growlers and mohair. I will check out bearbasics, sounds great and hopefully they ship overseas. Great idea about the ear. I know we have the original ear and eyes (one has split) "somewhere" in my mother's house, but they won't be found in time for the current generation. I am trying to finish Ed for Christmas, ha ha. It's ok if he's a work in progress but he certainly needs eyes and his feet patched so he can stand.

Anyone have any ideas about the cardboard stuff for the feet?

Hi everyone. It's my first post...

I am attempting to restore our antique family teddy. I like to make soft toys for my kids so I've decided I can probably do this but I've sort of crossed into unfamiliar territory so I thought I'd get some help from the experts.

Ed the Ted is a large Farnell I think and pre/circa WWI according to the age of my grandmother to whom he belonged, but he's in ok nick. So here goes with the questions if anyone can help..

1 When I replace the eyes (missing), where do I hide the thread at the back? Ears?

2 I have to replace the feet pads (paws are ok) which have split open. I have some matching wool felt but what do I use instead of that weird layered cardboard stuff they placed between the wood wool and the felt? I think it's there not only to create a barrier but also so when he stands his feet have flat soles. Do I need something acid free?

3  I would like to add a bit more chubb to his tum and chest, it's a bit loose. I think I can source wood wool, but does it have to be special, chemical free wood wool? Should there be a seam right up the middle? I can see some stitching near his belly button but not really a seam.

4 Whist I am operating on his tummy I may as well replace the growler. Where do I get one? Which is best for original sound? I can't find any from Internet searching. It still worked when I was a kid but have forgotten the sound, definitely not like a cow though!

5 I am not super concerned about the value of this teddy as it's not something I would consider selling, but if I did stitch over the nose and mouth, would I 'wreck' him? Stitching is still ok, only one side of the mouth is missing and the nose is a bit raggedy but quite good. Basically I don't NEED to do it, but feel it would spruce him up a lot.

6 One ear is missing. Is there anything around that even remotely resembles original style mohair? He looks fine with one ear as the rest of him is pretty good, but I would like him to have one for his own sake.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me...

I will be back with more questions no doubt.