Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jodi: It's definitely mohair -- good to know that's what it's "supposed" to look like. I think it works for your little guys, because they're sort of stylized, but I've got a polar bear pattern and I was hoping for fabric with a more realistic "fur" look. Live and learn (and then get Sassy's) I guess.

Bobbie: Your polar bears are wonderful. I may have to learn needle felting just so I can work up to trying some of your advanced kits. Thank you for the thread recommendation, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I did just find a little bobbin of what seems like good thread. It's quite thick, to the point where it's hard to thread, but it's really strong -- I definitely can't break it like the other stuff. Between that and the hemostats I found at the dollar store, I should be good to go.

Those are really cute, Jodi. Love the acorn cap! 

So, I got my 5" kit today... unfortunately I'm not thrilled with the fabric... it doesn't look dense enough to me, and it feels more "brushy" than soft. And it stands straight, up rather than having a distinct "nap" like longer fur does. Sally's stuff looks much nicer. 

Oh well... it'll make for a good first bear, anyway, since I won't be too intimidated by needing to be perfect to "live up" to my materials. :P

Now I just need to get some good thread... I thought I could wax the stuff I have, but it's really pretty awful. It keeps knotting up, and I can break it with my bare hands, just by pulling on it. 

Oh, I see how that could be... I'd (naively) hoped that the pile would help camoflage the seam. I'll certainly give it a try, just for experimentation's sake, but I think I'll go ahead and buy some hemostats when I get the fabric. Thanks gently nudging me in the direction of reality.  :rolleyes:

Oh, and silly me, I just found Sassy's bear gallery, chock full of itty bitty bears, with descriptions of the fabrics used: http://www.sassybearsandfabrics.com/gallery.htm

And boy, are they cute... I've definitely got to make a couple of these, one way or another. I already ordered a 5" kit to start on, so it'll be a while before I get to try the littles. But I'll definitely post the results when I do.

Oh... so cute!  :teddybear:

Hm. If that's 1/8 at 4" tall, then I think 1/16 might be just what I want at 2"-ish. Thanks for the (adorable!) reference.

As for fraying, I think I should clarify... I'm not talking about the technique that everyone here seems to do, where you stitch a seam with the "furry" sides facing in, then turn it inside out. I'm sure these fabrics will hold up great under those conditions. But with the felt critters, I'd actually stitch them with no seam allowance at all, just the two edges together. It seems like much less hassle, but it's pretty hard on the edge -- I'd sometimes get holes even in felt, which certainly doesn't fray, but will tear under enough stress.

*sigh* I should probably just get some hemostats and learn to use 'em...

Hi folks,

I'm new here, and new to bear-making, but the "micro minis" are definitely the most appealing to me. I made little felt critters when I was a kid, and some of them were pretty tiny. But with felt I didn't need to worry about seam allowances and turning -- I just stitched 'em together. I was wondering if I might be able to get away with a similar technique on the "woven backing" fabrics listed at Sassy's. Most of them say "Does Not Fray," but does that mean the edges will hold under tension? I wouldn't even think about it for a normal-size bear, but a micro would be so light, and likely to be handled carefully -- they're not the sort of bear you pick up and hug, after all.

I'm certainly willing to buy a bit of cloth and try it, but if anyone here has already made the experiment, I'd love to hear your results.

Oh, one other question... is a 1/16" pile suitable for micro minis? It's hard to gauge just how long they are... well, I guess I know exactly how long they are, but I'm not sure what it'll actually look like on a bear.