Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

When I sew my ears I like to start and stop my seam in the bottom flat part of the ear.  I leave enough of an opening I can turn the ear through but not much more.  So I will have five stitches at least before I come to the side of the ear, turn my corner with the stitches and go up around the curve down to the other side and then turn the corner and do several stitches across the bottom of the ear.  Tie it off.  Turn it right side out and you have two nice neat corners on your ears that you don't have to worry about raw edges poking out.  I sew them to the head using the German method where you have your thread at the corner of the ear go into the head and across to the other corner of the ear.  Take a stitch in the ear corner and go back through the head to the first corner of the ear.  Do that three or four times then take a stitch in the center of the back of the ear and tack it to the head.  Slip the needle to the front of the ear take a small stitch into the front of the ear and stitch it to the head at the back of the ear.  You have now closed the small opening of the ear and given the ear a nice cup.  Hard to explain in words.  Hope that helps some.
Donna

Years ago I read an artist and I don't remember who it was put the card stock or plastic in a muslin foot pad.  It was made just slightly smaller than the actual foot pad.  The pouch with the card stock had the seam on the outside.  This seam was then tacked to the seam of the actual foot pad.  This method made it impossible for the card stock to shift.  I tried it once years ago after reading it and it worked fine.

Jenn,
Sorry to hear you are considering leaving TT.  You are not the first that I have read that is feeling there is no one out there when they post a comment.  As everyone else has stated I also feel that TT is no longer the busy forum it used to be.   I do try to pop by each day but don't post that much.
Will you be attending the next doll and bear show in Salt Lake the first weekend in Oct?  Maybe you could talk up TT and see if we can get it back to the old days!
Donna

Are you using a #40 needle?

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JoAnne,
Thanks for the FB explaination!  That will be so helpful.
Donna

Hi,
Have you checked out this forum's sponsor?  I think Intercal has the best selection of short sparse mohair.
Donna

Hi Paula,
Tissavel is no longer in business.  That might be why you are not having any luck with emailing them.
I have a small amount of Tissavel for sale.  I do not have a website but you can email me with what you are looking for.  I also have a small amount on my facebook.
Donna

You can also lighten the color with color remover or bleach.  Then you can add a different color.  You might also consider a tea dye.
Donna

Did you all see in the weekly Intercal email newsletter that Johnna has started a new business?  If there are any styles of mohair from Intercal that you want in certain colors let her know.  If you have not signed up for Intercal's weekly email newsletter you should, there are some good offers on there.
Donna

Nicki Harper of Bear Bums sells a lion pattern here in the US.

I think I have the perfect fabric for you.  It is not the short shiny fabric like I first thought ( I still like the idea of the viscose or rayon).  What I am thinking now is Edinburgh's (Schulte) alpaca LG09.  It is 9/16" pile that lays flat.  It is somewhat sparse and has something like guardhair but not really.  It is very realistic looking.  I think it would work great for you.  They have it in white which you can airbrush to the colors you need.
Donna

When I first saw your goat pictures I thought of viscose.  Edinburgh Imports has some rayon that would work.  I think I would get the distressed or the regular in the rayon.  This fabric has a cotton nonstretch backing.   Also LouBear has some fabric that would look good on the goat.  Having been around goats a lot I would choose a straight pile not over 1/2".  I would want one with a nice luster.
Good Luck with your project.
Donna

This is the story that I heard.  Mastex company closed.  The employees got together and decided to reopen the company.  They do NOT make the smaller spools of thread only the large cones.

Maybe we all need to let Johnna know that we all are searching so that maybe they could order some for us.
Donna

I hope someone has some fabric that is needed to complete some orders.  What I am looking for is Intercal's 300S/CM color 402S (stone).  I would take 2 yards of that if anyone has some they would part with.  I also need a yard of 300S/CM in  color 350S (Antique Brown) or color 5052 Chocolate.
Thanks for any help.
Donna

Linda,
Be sure to stop by my table and say HI (Mohair Maniac) if I don't see you during the presentations before the show.
Donna

I cleaned a carpet  with white vinegar at the rental house that was so urine stained that the house reeked.  Just sprayed it on, let it soak all the way through and let it dry.  With the mohair I would soak the area or the entire piece with white vinegar then toss it in the washing machine.  That should take care of the problem.  Check that it hasn't stained the color before you dry it. 
Donna

I'll be there with my fabric!
Look forward to meeting you!
Donna

If you want a super soft synthetic with a woven back try Tissavel.  Sadly the company has closed but I have a nice selection of fabric for sale while it lasts.
I find the alpaca makes a more realistic bear.  Try to get to a show in your area where there will be fabric available for you to see and TOUCH.  I know in the old days many bear makers would wash the mohair or alpaca and then put hair conditioner or fabric softener on it to get a better feel.  If you are going to dye it you might give that a try.
Donna

If I understand it correctly you should be able to use an awl or a sturdy needle to slide under the fur to get it to release from the seam.  I may not be understanding the problem.
Donna

You can try a bleach water solution.   Have you put out the word that you need a white in the same fabric as the blue and red?  Someone might have it in their stash and be willing to part with it.
Donna

Not sure if you know that you can buy empty copic pens and mix the colors from the refills to get the exact color you need. 
Donna

Intercal has 2" long mohair.  Edinburgh Imports has 3" long mohair.  In the past when I made a squirrel, I used real fur.  I have some faux fur that another artist used for her squirrel tail.   
Donna

I think I would use scotch tape to tape off where you don't want the copic markers to cover.  You can also use your hand to prevent the color from going onto the fabric.  I think I would cut out the tail and spray it flat before you sew it.  You could also cover the tail flat with another fabric or paper to prevent overspray.  You can practice on some scraps first if you are nervous.
Good Luck,
Donna