Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hello Everyone
I am working on a bear for my sons Fiance'.  Her mother passed away in June and this bear is made from a wool blend Jacket.  She had no fur or other nice fabric.   I have made several fur bears,........and now I am trying to make this wool blend (fur-less bear) and the face looks like a rat.   :doh:   I almost need a  "fatter" looking face.  The nose on this one looks too long and thin.    Does anyone have a rounder head pattern that may fit a 16" bear?  I am no designer here either......      I am in time constraints here.........We are trying for Christmas on this bear and this is very important to my son....  Thanks everyone.
Jana

Can I use cotton lining that you use for quilts to line my fur bears?
Thanks~~   reading and learning
Jana

I am starting to get things together to make a mouton fur bear.  I know this will be a challenge, however, I am determined to do it, relying on 30 years of sewing experience.  What I have read, but forgotten is how to line the bear.  Do I attach the lining directly to the fur pelt,if so, how do I attach it to the pelt?...or is it separate from the pelt?
Thanks
Jana

I need to learn how to trim the muzzles!  lol
Jana

OK,............Since I jumped into the fire and showed you my Police Bear,.......I will show you my very 1st Bear (s).  I have Quads,................I made these 4 bears all at the same time,.....my first attempt.  They went to my sister-in-laws for Christmas.  They are made out of a jacket from my mother-in-law, Acrylic synthetic fur,...........But, they Loved them,......and cried when they got them.  They had no idea I was doing this,.....nor that I could so this.  So it was a fun surprise.  I wish I would of stood them up when I took the photo.   I think it is funny how they are shaded different colors,...........you really did not notice that when you held them .  When I cut the fur, and pieced it,  I deliberately did not try to match the colors together.......
Thanks you all.

Jana

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take,...but, by the moments that take our breath away"

OK, I have decided to let you peek at my Police Bear. 

So-- I had this idea,...................well,......what an idea !     I laugh every time I look at this guy !  HA HA !     Floppy legs and all.......the disks were not big enough!!! 

    I call him  "HERO" .    I made him this Spring,...but, this is NOT how I want my husbands Retirement Bear to look like !  LOL  He is so funny!  I want  a full fur bear for my husband wearing a uniform made out of Rick's uniform that he worked in. 

I will post pictures of my 4 bears that I made my sisiter in laws also.
Ok, Here it goes,..................LOL

Jana

Thanks Gang !  I can't wait to try it tonight!   Love this Forum!  I am reading more than I am sewing,......not good for my deadline!  LOL
Jana

I have been trying to upload a few photos to show you all,..........but the files are too big.  How can I make them smaller so they will upload?
Thanks everyone.
Jana

Oh Gosh Debbie,............Please don't make ME ever make you look or feel silly. I am an EXTREME Newbie to this work,...............I just happen to have alot of sewing experience and a Grandfather who I spent my childhood with who happened to be a dry cleaner.  So, In turn, alot of that experience, and memeories from spending time in his dry cleaners helps me whith this stuff.   I do not know however, to "CONDITION" the pelt,..............and would like bear moms opinions on that.  I would assume that ANY pelt can be conditioned, for good measure?

Thanks for all your help,.............I am addicted to this site, but sometimes, the more I read about the lock nuts, and other things,  the more insecure I get.  LOL
Thanks again
Jana

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,  but by the moments that take our breath away! "

He's a Beauty!  Thanks
Jana

Thanks Debbie for the info.
I have been sewing for 35 years, so, I am pretty much knowledged in textiles and fabrics.  I knew about the condition of the pelts and reconditioning of them, also due to growing up in and around the dry cleaning business where they sent the furs off to be conditioned, repaired, etc.  So, I have some knowledge to make me dangerous, not an expert, by far though.  These furs are in great condition.  They were the mother of the seller, and stored very nicely.  I will again check for the things you described to me though.  I think you can get fantastic fur buys from some people that are just cleaning house and trying to get rid of them. 

Thanks for your thoughts and help
Jana

Life is not measured by the number of breaths  we take,   But, by the moments that take our breath away!

Hello Gals,
I just purchased a mink coat collar, and hat  for $10.00 at a yard sale.  DEAL????  Then I bought a fur stole for $25.00 !  I can't wait to turn these into bears !  The stole is a reddish brown,..short to medium length fur........and the pelts are in rows about 1.5" wide.  The rows run from one end of the stole up and around the shoulders and back down to the other end.  I am not sure what kind of fur it is,..........wish I knew.
Wish I knew their value, not that it matters, still will make bears from them.   I also saw a white fur stole,.......mink (?) short fur length, at a consingment shop for $25.00  . I am thinking about going back to get it.   They had a mink hat for $25.00 also.
Any thoughts?
Thanks Bear Frinds,
Bear Hugs
Jana

ok, I know this is going to sound like a real dummy,.......but,  What is INTERCAL?

Jana

Gail,

The eys on Loonie,  or your Avatar, I believe,..........The grey and black bear,........are those eyes airbrushed or shaded with ink?

I have been looking close at some of the bear photos and trying to decide if some people use another color of fur near the eyes on the muzzle.  I know some are shaded,  but are some people actually using another contrasting piece on the face near the eyes?  Say white on black..............
Just observing

Thanks
Jana

I have a what I believe is Dark Chocolate Mouton Fur to work with.

1). Is Mouton fur normally a very heavy back hide?  This one seems really heavy.

2.) Also, Is there another fur that this could be besides Mouton.  I have a mouton bear already and this looks just like if not similar to it,..........I just think the hide is so thick.

3.)What size bear do you recommend best for a heavy hide Mouton fur?  Larger? Will a larger bear turn easier?
I will line it also.

Thanks to everyone,..............I absolutly love this addiction Forum,..............I read and learn more than I am sewing lately.  I will have a few more questions when I get thiese answered...................

Jana G.

Sonja,  Are you telling me that the hat you got,........or the hat from ebay is a FULL SIZE troopers hat?   I am thinking about a Bear size hat,,,,,,,,,,,,,,   where can I get this ??????
Thanks,...........man Sanja,...........I am still in awe,.............Geez Girl,.........I had my  " Hubby Chief"  look at  "Ranger" too!   HE was so cute,............he just told me,..........AHW Honey,  You don't Have to do all that for me"  .........lol  Yeah right!
Bear Friend Forever------------Jana

Sonja,
How many hours do you have in this bear and outfit?
Thanks
Jana G.

Sonya,  I am sitting here with my heart in my throat.  I am reading all the Rave reviews you are getting on your Ranger Bear.  I am in total shock and awe.
I am a novice bear maker, I have made 5 so far from very simple patterns.  I now am researching on a bear for my husband who is the Chief of Police.  He is retiring  after 35 years as a Police Officer/Chief and his retirement dinner is in late October.  I want to make a bear with a  police uniform from my husband own uniform.  This project is so inside my heart, that when I saw your bear I nearly cried.  This is exactly what I want for my bear to look like.  I have been searching every evening for the hat alone,..........this exact hat in black.   I search for the best bear pattern,  and I have been searching for the accessories.  I simply cannot take my eyes off this bear and his details you  have given him.  I would think that with all this pride this bear is showing,....that you HAD to be a Police Officer's wife, surely only SHE could protray this in him.  I am truely envious of what you have accomplished,  and can only pray that I can do anything near the superior job you have done on one of our World's Finest......................Wow,  I am totally breathless.         :clap:
Jana G.
Police Officer's wife for 35 years