Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Everyone may be busy with the weekend.  Give everyone until the middle of next week to respond.  If you get no takers on the magazines there are a couple of very active bear sites on Facebook.
Good Luck with finding a new home for your magazines.  You are being very generous!
Donna

I think I have one for sale in my show stock.  Let me check.
Donna

Hi Penny,
You can use your sewing machine, just make it a longer stitch than what you use for fabric or mohair.  I do tend to put Lennox leather conditioner on my pelts before I use them just to extend the life a little longer.  I use Leather Weld to attach the muslin to the pelt.  It is designed for leather repair and remains flexible after it is dry.  Choose a pattern that does not have tight areas, you will have a thick area to turn right side out.  Also leave your openings from turning and stuffing larger than normal. 
I hope I have answered your questions.  If not, ask again.
Donna

There is also the dye you get from Australia that you can mix and paint on the backing and leave the fiber for the acid dye or dye the entire piece with it.  For the life of me I can't think of the name of it now.  I have a set of it at the other house.  It makes some interesting bears because it is thick enough to make designs.  You let it dry before you rinse it so the colors do not run together.

Hi,
I have dyed the LouBear fabric with Cushing's dye which is sold here at Teddy-Talk.  It dyes the fiber but not the backing.  I have used Rit dye on it and everything dyes.  If you dye the fabric from LouBear that is 30% viscose and 70% mohair the fibers will take the dye differently and you will have a more natural look.  Our hair is not all the same shade.  I dye with hot or boiling water.  The hot water will make the back tacky while it is wet.  After the fabric drys the latex on the back is not as thick but is fine to work with, no tacky feel.  I have had one customer (I sell the fabric to artists) complain that the LouBear fabric will not feed through her machine.  I am guessing it is the latex backing is somehow causing the problem. 
Donna

There is a good looking cow pattern on Gerry's website in the pattern section.   http://www.gerrys.com.au/product.php?pr … 381&page=1
Or here's another one:  http://www.gerrys.com.au/product.php?pr … 388&page=1
Found Moo a 12" cow at Edinburgh Imports.
Donna

Lisa Pay has a couple patterns for bears made out of fabric other than mohair.  They are good looking bears.  Her patterns have very detailed instructions with lots of photos and illustrations. 
Good luck with your bear!
Donna

Congratulations Beth!  I may have to go find the magazines so I can buy it.

Becky,
The set screws (some times called grub screws) have a little hole in the end that you put an allen key into to prevent the screw from turning while you tighten the nut.  You will need to use two lock nuts.  The first lock nut is used as the bolt head inside the limb.  Hope that makes sense.
Donna

Sheree,
You will find it sooooo much easier to work with than what you have been using.  You will love it.  Just double check you have laid it out correctly and have all the parts before you cut.  Take a deep breath and take your  time cutting.  That is the hardest part is getting up the nerve to cut it out.  Once you have it cut out the worst is over so enjoy the alpaca.
I know I had fear of cutting into my first piece of expensive mohair when I first started.  You will do fine!
Donna

Along with what Sue Ann suggested you could also add tea or coffee staining.

CR crafts might have what you want.

Hi Lee Ann,
I just did a google search and there were lots of instructions.  You can use Rit or kool-ade.  It is not that much different than dying fabric other than you need to be careful not to break the feathers.  I found they also recommend alcohol or vinegar to help set the color.  Do a search and read some of the results, it sounds pretty simple.
Donna

I know a man in California who makes them.  I know he includes instructions with his not a video.  Let me know if you would like his contact information.  His will not work in really small bears.

A trick I learned from another bear artist to add a seam allowance is to draw each pattern piece onto a piece of paper.  Put the paper pattern on your sewing machine and sew around the pattern.  You will have a perfect seam allowance using your presser foot.

You could try to needlefelt a nose onto a felt piece in the shape you want the nose.  Then sew the nose onto the bear.  If needed you could then felt over your stitches.
Good Luck,
Donna

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I am thankful for Teddy Talk!
Donna

Nice to have you back on the forum again Krista.  I enjoyed your blog.  Do you have any other patterns other than the yorkie coming down the pike?
Donna

I have this book and have learned so much from it.  I sell bear making supplies at shows and was so disappointed when the books were out of print.  I am so pleased to hear that they will be available again!
Donna

If I had that bundle of cuteness, I would not get bears worked on at all.  I would be spending all by time loving a puppy.  My reason for not getting any bears made is: take your choice here, moved and don't know where anything is, fell and hurt myself so that everytime I work on a bear I am in pain, lost the sparkle and went in another direction, just plain lazy.  I think the last one wins!
Beth, will I see you in Kansas City?

I just found self threading needles.  The name brand is called One Second Needle.  Our local Target store carries them.  I haven't tried them out yet but thought I just had to have them.
Donna

Thanks to all of you who took the time to sign the petition to help save the black bears.  I just received word that the effort was a success and the legislation was passed.  The bears thank you!

Is there any chance we could see a picture of the pattern you are using?  How many parts are there to the head.  There may be a way to sew the ears on as you are making the head.  I am having trouble visualizing what the head parts look like.

Donna

Gabriele,
I think you have come up with the best solution!  It should work by feel as to placement and with the cut out dart they would both end up in the correct location.  You are brilliant!
Donna

Congratulations to everyone!!!