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lulu Nov 25, 2006

Hi Everyone!

I've finally got my computer functioning again after a major hard drive crash... it's been a few weeks since I've been able to visit TT!  And so much new and gorgeous work that I'm feeling a little intimidated    

I have two questions.

When you are working on a new design how many heads do you make before you get the look you're after?  I've been trying to capture this image I have in my mind but even after more than eight alterations it's still not quite right - almost there, but not exactly what I want.  Now I'm the stubborn sort so I'll keep at this until I get it right but I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem...     not to mention the question of what to do with all those surplus heads!  I do early mock-ups in muslin but when I'm this close I do them in better fabrics  - it stretches differently than the muslin

The other question - Do you age your mohair before starting the bear or do you age the bear after he or she is complete?  I've been pondering this for some time now... it just seems that it would be easier to distress the fabric before cutting and sewing BUT then there would be much less control over where the distressing appeared on the finished bear.  I don't mean shading or painting   - obviously that needs to be done after - but the over all old, worn, loved  and stained look of the mohair.

Help!

Hugs,  LuLu

Stephanie Nov 25, 2006

Lulu,

Can't help you with aging mohair, but I've been where you are now with the pattern design.
All I can say is 'it takes as many as it takes'. I had a bear thumping my skull to get out. I had to make several heads before it looked like what I saw in my head. Just keep at it 'till you get there!
It sounds like you keep altering the 1st pattern you drew. Try starting over from scratch. Sometimes that helps a lot.

As for all those heads . . .
if they are not too big, you could turn them into ornaments or use them to decorate something else. How about a holiday wreath with bear heads??
Or you could go ahead and finish them all into bears. Just because they aren't that bear in your head doesn't mean they aren't perfectly good bears!!

:hug:

nandesign Nov 25, 2006

Hi Lulu:

I have done the distressing both ways...distressing the piece of mohair before cutting is definitely easier...the colouring will be even throughout the whole piece....and if you want further distress in certain areas, then wait until it is put together. I actually like to distress and age after I have put the bear together...a personal choice. The "prim" artists generally do the dying and aging prior to putting the bear together.

Hopes this helps.
Hugs, Nancy

lulu Nov 26, 2006

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

I took Stephanie's advice and started fresh...and the result is so much better!  I got the roundness that I wanted...  so I'm going to allow myself move on to the body.   I'll post a photo when I get this little bear done.  Since she's an experiment I'm trying both ageing techniques - thank you, Nan!!!  It's just so hard to make that first stain on expensive mohair.... I guess I keep expecting my mother to scold me for making messes!

But now I have a new question     Does using excelsior as a head filler give any extra help when it comes to molding (and holding) the desired shape?  I've never used it but I was thinking that it might have less bounce than polyfil and since it needs to be dampened it might be slightly maleable until it dries....?  Any thoughts...

Hugs,  LuLu

toadbriar Nov 26, 2006

I do distressing in-between - I sew my bear pieces & then dump em in the tea bath or whatever.
If dye wants to settle more in the seams, so be it, & the thread gets it too. It saves me on tea
& not having to always use the most HUGE pot, too.

After a bear is sewn up & with eyes, ears, nose, etc all on, I spritz with an aging solution
(ink, walnut dye, acrylic, water) & rub him down.

Only a couple times have I started out KNOWING what head shape etc I absolutely had to have
(both for toys that were recreating actual living pets) & I think I did 3 heads for one & 5 for the
other. With bears I aim for an ideal & then work with whatever I end up with - that's way more
fun for me - the multiple heads technique really really dulled my enjoyment - YMMV. I prefer
to let the bear tell me what he wants to look like - this is fine for me cause I am still learning
how pattern alterations affect the final outcome.

I love your avatar by the way, LuLu - have you got a website where I can see more of your guys??

nandesign Nov 26, 2006

Hi Lulu:

I use excelsior when I want the feel of an old bear...to answer your question...it is messy, but it is wonderful to help you mold the head...it is especially great in the nose area. I know that some artists use a combination of polyfil and excelsior. Use the excelsior first to establish the shape and then fill the center with polyfil. Hope that doesn't sound confusing...

Hugs, Nancy

Laurie Nov 26, 2006

I agree with you there Kim as I just think within reason what I would like and go from there.I would go mad I think if I done as many heads as you Lulu and I still hadn't got there.
Laurie :hug:

lulu Nov 26, 2006

You guys are the greatest!!!!!

Laurie... I think I probably am crazy...  I just have this image stuck in my mind and it's not going to leave me alone until I get it out!  Like Stephanie said - it's "thumping my skull to get out".  That's exactly what it feels like - glad to know it's not just me

Thanks for the advice on the excelsior, Nan...  I'm going to order some and give it a try.

And Kim... thank you thank you for suggesting I tea dye the pieces after sewing but before stuffing!  Why didn't I think of that?!?!?  Perfect solution!!!!

**** last night I decided I wanted to try making the head gussett just a tad wider...

Hugs,

LuLu

P.s.  I don't have a website yet but I am working on it.  There just aren't enough hours in a day are there.

Dilu Nov 26, 2006

Aww honey, i understand.  I've thrown out at least 6 "baby" gollies simply because they weren't quite right.

Steph and I were working on baby patterns....she got hers so much quicker, and boy did I benefit....we swapped, but I wasn't happy with what I sent.  I am happy to say, now, that I think Ive come closer...so it is amazing how many things can not be quite right.

We have an active member here (Toby) who said it can take her a year to get a pattern designed just right.

I've only been playing with the baby pattern for 3 months.

I am glad you are back.  And congrats on getting the computer fixed....can't umnderstand them but boy are we lost without them

gollyhugs

dilu

Dilu Nov 26, 2006

poor Toby,  hang in there hon!

di

Dilu Nov 26, 2006

hey Toby, Just had a thought

You may only have 4 patterns, but they are yours and they are perfect for you!

Unlike poor dilu who makes changes every time she starts a new golly!

gollyhugs
dilu