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Tuppies Teddies
Here is my first attempt at these sort of bears but there is a story and a learning curve with this bear. She measures 4"-10cm
When using mink don't glue the lining on the pelt with a glue that dries rock hard....you end up sewing a texture like cardboard.
Don't try a pattern that is way too small with a fabric that has a backing like cardboard. No way can their little arms and legs be turned.
I ended up sewing the complete bear using ladder stitch so I was sewing him the right way facing but the seams were turning in,,,, hope you understand that explanation.
I think if this was any other fabric I would have thrown it but being mink I couldn't do it.
He will belong to my collection...well back to the drawing board..
OH Denise he turned out awesome...I ran into the turning problem with one of my puppies just recently...although I just made the pieces to small for a long fur....I didn't persevere as you did though....I tossed the legs and arms and started again, but then again I wasn't using mink!!! Way to stick through it!! You Go Girl!!
Hugs,
Krista
Denise... you could use just enough of a stick type stay soft glue to hold the lining to the fur piece and then use alligator clips to hold it all together while you stitch it. I use many clips all along a seam as I go...just moving them along when I get to each clip 
now this piece is not fur but mohair...but it give you the idea of the clip thingy...
Tuppies TeddiesThanks so much for the tips, I have used a thin iron-on facing for the next attempt.
With the original as it was a water soluble glue I have dampened the pelt side of the mink, scrapped the original lining off, and dried the pelt. The fur side did not get wet.
Now, if I rub glyserine into the pelt will that soften it?
Hi Denise~
I make mink bears, so if you are asking about using iron-on lining on a mink pelt...I would say that the heat from the iron would probably damage the pelt.
I would also say that you never want to get your pelt wet because that will damage and harden the pelt. When I attach my fabric lining to my pelt I use just a very thin line of glue along the edge. Leather glue is very flexible when it dries.
If the skin of your pelt is really hard I think that it is unlikely that it could be restored.
Working with real fur can be frustrating, so good luck.
~Kathy Myers
Tuppies TeddiesThanks Kathy, oops I think I have done lots of things wrong. I have used iron on facing on lapin fur and it seemed okay. Thanks so much for the advice and will perservere with trying to make the real fur bears. From what you have explained with the glueing, do you only glue around the edge of each pattern piece? They look so cute, look out I may be asking for lots of help from you in the near future..
Matilda Huggington-beareI ran into the same problem with my first mink bear. I never did get it finished. I got in alot of practice doing ladder stitch though 
Mink makes all bears look cute. I just love the colour,.
Tuppies TeddiesThanks Wendy, I am attempting another one and the pelt is so much softer to sew because I didn't glue the facing, I had already used the iron-on facing before I got the excellant tips from Kathy, but as it is a 5.6" bear I will finish it and see how it looks. A bit of experimenting at the moment....still learning lots about the craft of bear-making..
Hey Wendy, my brother is still single....
Sweet little bear Denise and good luck with your next one, I hope that it will be easier.
Hugs
Carolyn
Tuppies TeddiesThanks Carolyn, yes, the next one was easier and is now on e-bay. He has some bids and quite a few looking....
Matilda Huggington-beareHey Wendy, my brother is still single....
has he taken up photography yet?. Specialising in Teddy Bears not nudes.
Tuppies TeddiesNot sure but am going to visit him in March so will investigate and bring back the results... 
