Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

He is very french and very very cute!   
michelle

How big are pandas heads! 
michelle

 
michelle

A fantastic hug! Zeke is wonderful 
michelle

  Hurrah!  All the more to cuddle 
michelle

Thank you all for your kind words you are such lovely people 
It is good to see you back too Vicki I'm sorry to hear that you have been having a horrible year. I so hope that 2015 is better for you it sounds like you deserve a good one. Hugs hugs x I had noticed that you hadn't been too active on here last year but is nice to know that our beary friends are here when we return to the fold.
michellex

  It only gets worse when I first started I use to work on one bear at a time now I sometimes can't even have the discipline to finish one before starting an another! At present I have a fox, white rabbit, a pair of large cream bears, realistic brown bear, and 6 pandas all on the go and a couple of reworks of older bears. Is it any wonder I am so slow to post new bears! I get waaay too giddy 
michelle

Hello every one! Gosh I logged in today to try and have a catch up and boy I have missed a lot We have had a difficult Christmas and new year with a family bereavement and a few other things has interrupted my bear making routine and only just got back(ish) to normal last week. So I'm sorry for missing any of your posts but hopefully I am back on the case    You probably hadn't even noticed that I was missing  Great to be back to the fluff and look forward to seeing your new creations and bear pics'
michelle

Hello Sue Ann has given some good advice about the difference expected in collectables versus regular (but no less lovely) bears.
I do prewash if I am planning on dying partly for shrinkage and mainly so the colour will take better. I sometimes will wash a fabric (mohair/plush/faux fur) to soften it up or to alter the finish it really depends on what I am aiming for.
I have never zig zagged edges but if I am worried about the strength of fabrics or in areas of strain will double stitch, fray check and line the pieces with muslim. Artist bears can be stuffed very firmly and so have to withstand a lot of pushing on the seams when they are being shaped and be able to take the weight of BB/shot in their tummies. So it is really things like glass eyes, cotter pins, wood wool stuffing and the weighting that make them unadvisable for children not the fact that they are made any less robustly.
If I was making bears for children I would probably wash all fabrics first as like you said there is a high chance that the bears will end up 'needing a bath' at some point and then there would be no worries about how your fabric will react.
michelle

What a fresh lovely colour gorgeous fur and sweet little face
michelle

A really great face full of character! Makes me smile   
michelle

Very creative I love the paws and the super cute coat and boots! 
michelle

Very sweet!
michelle

    Oh my what a wonderful pair! The colour combination is lovely and those noses are just adorable!
michelle

Sweet little face and lovely paws!
michelle

Gorgeous fur beautiful face! 
michelle

A very sweet dog makes me smile     
michelle

WOW absolutely stunning work!! I was just about to finally dye the mohair to make a realistic fox (my new years resolution I have been 'making a start' on this fox for most of last year ) myself but after seeing your amazing Fiamma I feel like giving up already! You are a true artist she is really beautiful Francesca    
michelle

Yep I'm with everyone else she looks like a girl bear  We tend to be are own worse critics which in some ways is a good thing as it helps us to identify problem areas to work on. But don't forget to be proud of what you are achieving - your bear is full of character and has a lovely appealing look Her nose is great too and good noses are notoriously difficult one to master
From the pics I can't see the paws pulling. Tweed is pesky stuff for frying I line line with muslim have a 1cm SA and glue .5cm of the edges together with fabric glue and once the paw is sewn in trim down and then fray check the raw edge and sometimes wizz round with a quick over base if it needs it. Or you can just use iron on interfacing but in my experience it doesn't stick too well on 'hairy' fabrics like tweed. Thanks Becky I will check out the stuff you suggested.
michelle

I find that it is easier to lean visually too. This site has some wonderful youtube tutorials and also has links to a Face book forum.  Non for a bear as such (the principal is the same) but it is very informative on technique
http://www.sarafinafiberart.com/
Good luck let us know how you get on
michelle

wow he is wonderful! 
michelle

Happy new year to you too Berta!  Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing new creations in 2015!
michelle