Banner Sponsors

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorApr 21, 2007

I am wondering if I should use an armature in a new critter that I've just designed, or just to give him bent legs and arms to start with. If when designing to use and armature should I just make the arms and legs completely striaght as I was wondering how much strain bendining the limbs would put on the material if I did.
I really can't think things through just lately so I'm asking everyones opinion.

Help, I think I'm loosing my umph!

Hugs Jane. 
                                           

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorApr 21, 2007

Jane, it's not possible for you to lose YOUR umph!

I've done only a handful of armatured pieces but usually I use a pattern with a slight bend to begin with because there does get to be some crumpling of fabric at the inner elbow area when the limb is bent.

When I use an armature it's usually because I have a particular pose, or a few poses, in mind, so that helps direct my pattern choice/creation too.  For example, I made a bear once -- and am making another now -- which held a stuffed heart, so I knew I wanted the arms to bend in a certain way.  I made the arm pattern to have less bend than required to hold the heart, but not straight.

I do think fabrics can withstand the "strain" of going from straight to bent -- their strength is not the issue -- but it's the look of going from straight to bent which is more problematic because, as I mentioned, of all those wrinkles.  It can get kinda bulky in that inner joint area.

Jodi Moisan Apr 21, 2007

I second what Shelli says,  I have made a bear with a straight arm pattern but made a dart where I wanted it to bend., not a huge dart just enough to give it a slight curve.
Hugs
Jodi

Daphne Apr 21, 2007

I haven't tried using armature so have a couple questions (and I live by the rule that the only dumb question is the one not asked so don't laugh at me here!)

1. Do you have to stuff the limbs differently when using armature? I usually stuff pretty firm. In order to bend/stay bent I'm guessing I need to go for softer stuffed?

2. Are the wrinkles as noticible with a longer pile mohair? I wouldn't think so but can see the bunched fabric preventing the limb from bending properly.

Jodi Moisan Apr 21, 2007

I stuff pretty firm at the end so the armature doesn't poke, but I stuff lighter in the elbow point so it can bend easier and I don't know about the longer mohair, but I do not think it would cause it to bunch.  I use it on longer faux fur and that doesn't bunch, but I know the backing is some what different.

Hugs
Jodi