Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

If you only want them to sit then just check that the back of the leg is level with the body in a sitting position and then place the joint midway beween the front and back of the bear.  If you want it to stand -same principle but play with the position of the joint on the body so it doesn't sit too far forward or back. hope this makes sense.

I would put them on the inside too but then it's whatever you want I don't believe there are any right or wrong ways to create a bear and it is often the quirky things that make the bear what it is.  (I don't mean that the artists are all quirky things)!!! LOL  hopefully you will get my drift!

My nursing group had a 30th anniversary this week (I must have started training when I was in nappies LOL) and they had a dinner that was in Adelaide 1500 kms away.  I decided that I was going to use some savings with a combination of very cheap airfares and went along - I didn't want to miss out.  We had a ball and even though I only spent the day in Adelaide (2nights) not only did I get to the reunion but I got to spend a day with my elderly parents.  Do I feel guilty at the amount of money spent?  Absolutely not! Although maybe a little regret when I think how much mohair I could have bought instead!!  Moral: Go right ahead and do it.

I pluck patches of mohair out as I have found that using the drier tends to make it even fluffier and it seems harder to make it clump or lie down.  I also have used one of those foamtype nail buffer things which works well on breaking down some of the fibres which makes it looked aged as well.  Starting off with a sparse mohair helps as well.

Sue ann thank you so much for posting these - i am still desperately trying to make a realistic polar bear and while I know there is a difference between them these photos will help a lot. :hug:

Absolutley fantastically gorgeous.  Those eyes are AMAZING.  Well done  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Hi I bought a 5 kilo bag of cotton waste several years ago and have finally almost got to the end of it.  Trouble is I don't know where I can buy more.  It looks like the usual poly fill butwith a lot more stringy pieces in it but it stuffs beautifully and i love it.  Can anyone help (I prefer an Australian supplier)!  I have looked on the net and have found a supply but I would have to buy a 160 kg bale and I don't know that it would fit in my craft room!

I recently flew to New Zealand with a bear stuffed with ss shot but they were fine with it.  He was in the checked luggage going over and hand luggage coming back and yes he did enjoy his holiday!  I will explain he travels in my husbands truck all year long so when we have holidays naturally Kenny comes with us!

i make most of my mini bears with a two piece head - so they all have a centre seam.

I'm with Laura - I'd rather drink it!    However, try a patch test and see if it works.  Another (cheaper and leaving the red wine to drink) idea is beetroot juice which has turned many a white tshirt of mine a permanent shade.

Cheers Clare

Gail you are a marvel that's it!  I have emailed Cindy in the hope that all si well and that she still has them for sale.  Thanks a million  :clap:  :dance:  :hug:

Thanks Shane alas that isn't it.  It was a kit that had template plastic, tips for designing and heaps of other stuff to help with designing bears (as opposed to creating them).  Once again thank you and I will keep looking.

Gemma from Pumpkin and Pickle bears and I share a similar story.  It started with me (unknowingly) employing her future Brother in Law and working with him for some months when he came to me asking for time off to go to a wedding.  He then remarked that his future sister in law also makes teddy bears and one by one the pieces fell into place.  This story stretched from England to the Centre of Australia.

OK my realistic (I hope) polar bear now has a prototype which I am rapidly stitching cos i can't wait to see it but I have made it a miniature only because I couldn't find any other way of doing it.  So supposing all is all right with it how do I go from a size 3 inch up to 12 or bigger?

Sarah those noses are amazing

There is a kit by Cindy Anschutz for designing a bear. i sent her an email several months ago and she said that her husband was sick and that I could get it thru Edinburgh.  I have searched their site and although there is a design a bear pattern by her it is not the kit that I was after.  Can anyone help?

I Lurrrve that fabric!!  Come on where did you get it?  The bear is gorgeous too.

Funny you should post this I did exactly the same yesterday (found it on her site) and was wondering where to get a copy

I'm getting impatient too

That is one great link thank you so much  :hug:

I have posted similar to this before but just wnat to see what sort of response I get this time cos i haven't started anything yet!  I really want to design a polar bear - preferable one that can stand on all fours and sit up as well but I really don't know where to begin.  I have studied lots of different photos etc but I am still at a loss - can someone please help?

Sorry maybe it's the lack of caffeine in my body but is this the 'tic tac toe' challenge or the other one?

Here is a beanie that I knitted from one of Lesley's patterns (see earlier post) - I am yet to finish the entire layette!

The doll is 1 and 3/4 inches long

Nose shine can be bought from any good bear supplies or you can water down craft glue and use that (I think it is a one part glue to 3 parts water) Just paint it over your stitches and while the glue method isn't as shiny it still works,

there is an Australian lady who does miniature knitting, she also sells all the supplies http://www.lesleysminiatureknitting.com/  You can get patterns for entire layettes for 1/24 scale baby dolls!  Her work is amazing!