Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I'm experimenting with making a pattern for a 'realistic' looking bear.  At the moment I'm reshaping and adapting an existing teddy pattern.  But could somebody answer one question for me:  The muzzle of a black bear is lighter in colour, do you cut the muzzle pieces from a lighter fabric or do you somehow lighten the dark fur on the muzzle area of an 'all-in-one' head?   I may be approaching this area of making the pattern in the wrong way, but I'm just wondering if I need to shape & cut separate muzzle pieces.

I really appreciate that when bear artists have spent many hours creating their own unique patterns they are reluctant to divulge their techniques and methods, but I'd be grateful for any hints or tips you could offer me.

I'm interested in learning needle felting to enhance the faces of mohair bears, so I started by making this little fellow.  It was easier than I expected and quite relaxing to do.  But can anyone tell me how I avoid having lots of visible indentations in the felt?  It's nice and firm but just doesn't look right!   Also, which needle is best for felting into a mohair fabric?  The weaves are quite dense and the needles look a bit fragile.

What a fabulous collection!  Gold bears are still my favourite colour.

Julia, 

Do have a go at it, believe me if I can do it anyone can!  I found the opening in the body was rather too small when fitting the limbs.  Leaving a larger opening, or one on each side of the body, would make it easier.  You could then close one opening after you've done the limb joints.  I bought the fabric pack from Noble Fabrics which came with cotter pin joints (no metal washers), but you might prefer to replace these with nut & bolt joints for a tighter fit.  Look forward to seeing your Yorkie when you get around to him.

He's just lovely, such a pretty face.

Judi, You made your FIRST bear in real fur!!!???  Now that's what I call class, and brave!  He must have been pretty good if someone bought him.

My first bear is my avatar.  He's not bad but as my teacher used to say 'could do better'.

I've only just discovered this topic.   Could I join in as well?   I think it's a great challenge and it will be interesting to see everyones 'bears'.

He's 8 inches nose to tail (stumpy) and 6 inches tall in the 'down' position. Just the right size to sit on the palm of my hand!  He actually turned out much better than I expected, his fluffy fur was probably the biggest challenge.

Now, what shall I make next..........hhmmmmmm???

This is Pippin, she will be a gift for a friend who has Yorkshire Terriers.  She was made with the 'Teddy' pattern by Noble Fabrics.  Her wavy fur is beautifully soft and silky, even after I'd added a little extra shading with Faber Castell pens and smoothed it into shape with VO5 gel spray.  She has faux suede paws and is filled with polyfil and steel shot.  She is the smallest animal I've made yet and was fun to do, but I don't think I'd want to make anything smaller!

He's 13 inches tall and his fur is curly black faux persian lamb (astrakhan). It was a lovely fabric to work with, very soft & silky.  His muzzle & paws are tan cashmere and this time I had a go at trapunto paw pads following Daphne's great tutorial.  I added a touch of brown shading to his paws & muzzle and around his eyes to make them a bit more obvious.  He looks a wee bit skinny but I think it's just because his fur is so short.

My husband's beginning to mutter about being 'surrounded by small furry creatures' now !!

She's beautiful, what a gorgeous colour!

I've just found the answer to my question, thanks to Bobbie Ripperger.  I 'needle sculpted' tufts of hair into the head where I wanted them.  He looks so much better now!

Thanks again!

Bobbie, and Joanne, you have just solved my bald patch dog problem!!!     It was one of those 'why didn't I think of that' moments.  I've just added some tufts of hair in this way to my yorkie's face and it looks so much better. I used a very fine beading needle and a single strand of pure silk and it worked really well.  It's amazing the new things I have learnt here.

Many thanks,
Frances

Thank you Cheryl for pointing m ein the right direction.  I should have guessed Joanne would have a solution for this problem!  That's so clever!  Just one other question - if my dog's nose is not needle felted how can I lock the strands of hair into the mohair backing fabric?  The head is stuffed with polyfil, will it just lock into the filling?

Joanne, I've spent ages browsing your website and your Blog, it's so INTERESTING.  It's very kind of you to share your bear knowledge with other people, and I love the tour around your Studio - how TIDY you are, puts my craft room to shame!!!  Must tidy up tomorrow.......

My latest creation (a yorkshire terrier) has what I can only describe as one or two bald patches     I haven't pulled the hair out, it's just not a very dense pile.  The long wavy hair seems to hide that until it's parted like on the head gusset seam lines.  Is there a way to root bits of hair into the thin areas, and how do I do it?  He's only a few days old - he's too young to be going bald!!!

She's gorgeous Tracey, it looks like you've really mastered the needlefelting!  :clap:  :clap:   I'm a newby too, just finished my third bear.  I've been reading about needle felting and your wonderful result has encouraged me to have a go now.

Frances   

Thank you all, that's so helpful.  My little Yorkie will be going to the 'hair salon' this afternoon!

The whole concept is just lovely.  Rocco is gorgeous and I love the tree as well, and very festive with the candles in the background.

I've just finished assembling a Yorkshire Terrier (that sounds so weird!) but after all the handling he's had his silky wavy fur was a mess, so I brushed him.  Now he looks too fluffy.  I think his fur should drape flat & silky down his back & sides but he looks more like a ball of fluff!  Very cute but not quite the effect I was after.  I was tempted to try a damp brush or a touch of hair gel, but I thought I'd ask your advice before I ruin the lovely mohair. 

They are gorgeous!  I LOVE the pink one.

I'm not surprised he's been snapped up, who could resist that face!

Paula that nose is just so-ooo perfect, it's amazing!   As I'm a very new bear maker it's definitely a nose to aspire to!  :clap:  :clap:

Thank you Thelma, that's a great idea I'll definitely try that next time.

Frances   

Thanks Gabrielle!  He was made from a Christies bear pattern, I think I'll be using bought patterns for a long time before I even think of designing one of my own.  I did consider adding a bit of shading around his eyes but I was terrified of ruining him!  It seems a little narcissistic to put pictures of my bears on here when I am so new to this, but I really welcome the helpful comments, suggestions and any criticisms too from such talented people.  Until I found this site I had never realised the wide variety of styles and the amazing skill that goes into making them.

Just finished my second bear - Matoskah, I believe it's a Sioux name meaning 'White Bear'.  He (or is it she?) is 19 inches tall and made with an unbelievably soft ivory mohair with cashmere pads and blue Buzzard eyes.  I managed to get both arms straight (untwisted) this time and even put armatures in them (bendy perming curlers) which work great.  I learned a little more about face sculpting and succeeded in creating a definite indentation across the bridge of the nose and under the chin.  I love the beautifully clipped faces on Julia Shepherd bears but it must take a lot of practice as my attempt didn't quite hit the mark, neither did the nose which is a bit uneven!   But I've always wanted a white bear so I love him anyway!

Frances