Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Richard,

I hope I can be of a little help to you here, sorry if I'm not! 

Just don't panic!  You certainly haven't ruined anything.  Firstly, I would just say that generally most pattern pieces are laid on the fabric with a straight line on them somewhere indicating "straight of grain" meaning that the line follows the direction of either the warp or weft thread on your backing fabric, to be used as a guidance when laying out your pattern pieces.  You have to give consideration to the direction that the pile is running and sometimes the pile seems to run diagonally from one corner to the other when your fabric is laying flat out in front of you.  Sometimes this causes bit of a dilemma as to whether to lay your pattern pieces vertically or horizontally onto your mohair.  The actual direction of the pile can always been changed, some more easily than others depending on the length, density etc.  Often just a gentle dampening to the mohair (not the backing) is enough for the mohair to be brushed into the required direction and can either be left to dry naturally or even blown dry with a hairdryer.  I like to use a hairdryer because you can then really tease the mohair just as you would like, plus it's a darn sight quicker so you can see your results!  I know some artists use actual hair products for styling, as mohair is a "hair" so these are fine.  I haven't used them personally so can't comment on them but I am sure someone here will be able to help in that direction.

The fact that you have laid your pattern pieces out following your pile direction although not ideal, does not mean that you have ruined everything.  I would suggest though that you are careful in the tacking, machining and stuffing of the head and keep checking that the muzzle in particular stays in shape.  If the backing fabric is nice and tight, then this will help.  Loose backing fabrics are more of a pain and could stretch more.  It just means that you will have to be careful when machining and stuffing because the backing fabric stretches on the diagonal, but is more stable on the warp and weft threads. 

I know I have forgotten something, hopefully it will come to mind shortly. (Probably after I have hit the "submit" button!).  Hope it all works out well Richard.

Hugs
Marilyn

Your bears are really gorgeous.  I've only just commented on one of your other bears, popped to this section and now see this wonderful one!

Beautiful!

Hugs

Marilyn

What a gorgeous bear, he is really superb, just like a real little cub.  
Beautiful work.

Hugs

Marilyn

That is EXACTLY what I said Jane when I saw this wonderful little photo.      
It instantly brings a big smile across your face doesn't it!

Trouble is, it's got me thinking about Lily and Hope ..............

Hugs

Marilyn

Hi Sue Ann,

Yes, it is very very very sad!  I have been watching at every possible opportunity, laughing at their funny little antics and cringing when hearing Lily bite away at the microphone and camera!!  It has been totally enthralling to watch these two beautiful creatures, a real privilege, and everyone has learnt so much through being able to take a peek into their daily lives in this manner.  Felt a bit like a spy at times!  "Charlotte" will have the den to herself now!!

I did read somewhere that conditions may be a little cold tonight so they may return to the den again.  Let's all keep our fingers crossed!

Hugs

Marilyn

Laurie and Yvonne

Yes, I know that I should do EXACTLY what you have told me to do!!!

To be honest, the only thing standing in the way of me getting a kitten or kittens at the moment, is the horrid dog that lives next door to me.  I dread to think what would happen if a kitten was to stray into my neighbour's garden.  That is my biggest nightmare and not one that I want to live through or have to worry about all the time.  So, in reality, I'm just going to have to move!!! :crackup:
I'd love to have a wonderful bundle of fluff running around the house, but I must admit that I don't miss knocking the water bowl over or taking a step backwards into a plate of cat food!

Enjoy your furry bundles!

Hugs

Marilyn x

Oh dear, I just keep thinking about getting a kitten now since writing earlier .........    

and Sue, your Wadsworth is also very beautiful - and as for your dog, well, stunning!!!!! Would love to see more piccies of Ranger, he looks pretty magnificent, and big!!      

Hugs

Marilyn

Hi Peter,

Lovely little photos as usual of the bears and it seems that the sun is always shining in Belgium! 

I particularly like little Dalton, he has a very sweet little face.

Hugs,

Marilyn

Hello Laurie,

Oh, you lucky lucky lucky girl!!!!!  What beautiful kittens!        
I saw Gracie's photo on another thread here and immediately wondered if she was a Maine Coon as I could see the little tufts on the top of her ears.  I am very jealous right now!  I fell in love with a beautiful Maine Coon at a cat show once and although puss was not for sale, I kept thinking of her for weeks afterwards!  She has the most super face and her feet were enormous!  Beautiful.  They are wonderful cats and I just know that you are going to have such a fantastic time with them.  I'm getting very broody for a cat now!!

Hugs to you and those marvellous kittens. :hug:

Marilyn x

Hi Alison,

Oooh, what a lovely website you have, and thank you for popping on the free tutorial, that was very kind of you.  :hug:

I must have been on your site while you were writing your last post here.  I registered on your site and I found the tutorial absolutely fine when I soon realised about using the centre "button" to start and pause the frames so was able to use it with no problem.  Very nicely done I think so a big pat on the back for you Alison! :clap:  :hug:

Many thanks once again for your kindness!

Take care.

Hugs
Marilyn x

Hi Catherine,

It was an absolute delight to meet up with you and your lovely fiance on Sunday but I didn't realise at the time though that it was your birthday!  So I'd like to send a rather belated "Happy Birthday" to you! :cake:  :cake:  :cake:  :cake:  :cake:  :cake:

I love the piccies of little Twiddles on his journey to Belgium and, as I said to Peter, Twiddles is getting out and about far more than me at the moment!  Thank you so very much for chaperoning him until Peter picked him up, I am sure he was very well looked after!  I look forward to meeting up with you again in the future.

Take care,

Hugs,

Marilyn

Hi Jane,

Superb photographs, you must be "Superwoman" getting around through the crowds and being able to take all the photos!

It means a great deal to us all being able to see everyone's lovely bears so a big "thank you" to you. 

I personally found that with us now having less time to set up at the beginning, there was absolutely no time to look at anything!!  Such a shame!

Hugs

Marilyn

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on Emmerson. 

He was the first bear to be whisked off my table on Sunday and I do miss him!

Hugs

Marilyn

Aaawwww, I think that's wonderful!  I wish I had a little fluffy helper like that!   

Maybe one day .......

Hugs

Marilyn

Hello Ann-Marie,

Are you feeling exhausted???  It was really nice to meet up with you on Sunday and like Maria, I am not at all surprised that you sold out!  Well done!
Hope your journey home was good too.

I was on my own for part of the day so just couldn't get to see all the people I wanted to, so I do apologise to everyone.  When I did "escape", I was like a whirlwind and had to rush to my destination!     Apologies if I only managed a quick "hello" to you, I wasn't being rude, just in one mad hurry!!!   I think I nearly collided with Paula at one point!  Sorry Paula!

That's what you call wishful thinking Maria!!!  :crackup:

I had a wonderful show, most enjoyable and didn't stop chatting. My day was made all the more enjoyable though by being next to the lovely Susan of Kesseys Bears, we hardly stopped chatting and laughing!

Hope to see you all again in September.

Take care Ann-Marie.

Hugs

Marilyn 

I'm just sad I didn't get the opportunity to pop over and have a good look at this wonderful creation yesterday Shelly, or even have a little chat! 

But Virtuoso is just completely perfect and absolutely gorgeous.  You can almost hear violins playing when you look at him! I totally agree with what Paula said.

Hugs

Marilyn x

Oh so gorgeous!  Your rabbits just make me smile smile smile!  

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Hugs

Marilyn

Hi there!
Your little creations are always a delight to look at!  These little characters will soon fly off your table.,

I look forward to meeting up with you on Sunday, just wish we all had more time to chat properly. 

Have a great day, I am sure you will.

Hugs

Marilyn x

Yes, I have seen some creations here on TT that look just as realistic!

These are SO very cute!  Beautiful!

Hugs

Marilyn

Thank you all so much! :redface:  :redface:

Catherine - yes, please pop up and say hello if you get a chance, it would be lovely to meet you.  Safe journey over.

Ann-Marie - looking forward to meeting you too.  Safe journey to you too!

Vicki  -  looking forward to a natter and seeing your super little bears too!

Peter - you only have to pop on that train!!! :crackup:

Hugs

Marilyn x

Hi Katherine,

What a lovely colourful delight!  Very cute, and good luck on Sunday though I don't think you will need it somehow!!

Hugs

Marilyn

Hi Jane,

Aw, sorry to hear you are having problems, so if you need any help on the day with anything just give me a shout.

So I'm afraid you will have to put up with my ugly mug again as I am on Stand 123 in Hall 4 which is right near you!!!

Have a brilliant day and take care on your journey down.

Hugs

Marilyn x

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would take a little minute to wish everyone all the very best for Hugglets on Sunday, I am sure you will all have a wonderful day.

I would also like to introduce you to Emmerson 22", who will accompany me and my other new bears to Hugglets too. I hope you like him.  Sorry about the photo though as he looks as though he only has one arm, poor chap!  I can assure you there is an arm there, it has just merged with the black background! 

Details of my other new bears travelling to Hugglets can be found on my website.

Many thanks for looking!

Hugs,

Marilyn x

Hi Ann-Marie,

All of the bears you have made for Hugglets look lovely and this little one is no exception!  Cute!

Oh, by the way, I have your bear all tucked up waiting to be re-united with you on Sunday, so I look forward to meeting up with you then!  Have a safe journey over!

Take care.

Hugs

Marilyn