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shantell Oct 25, 2006

I've read several methods for created pulled toes and the like and I'm missing something...what is the best way to hide the anchoring stitch.  I have a few artist bears that have stitched toes or pulled toes and a couple of them are so nicely done (yes, that would be you Paula & you Jane) that you can't even see or find the entrance or exit points.

I've tried several methods and perhaps I'm being too picky but I'm never quite happy with that particular part of the technique (entrance & exit).

Any tips ladies, gent!!!

Tammy Oct 25, 2006

Shantell, I think I am understanding you to mean where the thread starts and ties off at the end  ??

What I have been doing is pulling  the toes before I stitch up the leg opening.  That way I can insert and exit in the opening and tie off so the thread is  hidden inside the leg.  That also allows me to adjust the stuffing as I go if I want to.  Then I stitch the leg closed.   I hope that helps.

chrissibrinkley Oct 26, 2006

I'm the same as Tammy...for big and mini I do it with stuffing to the "ankle" area.  Entrance and exit stitches are inside the leg, nothing visible.  Hope that helps! (??)

:hug:
~Chrissi

shantell Oct 26, 2006

Oh good grief...call in Captain Obvious...sometimes I swear if things were snakes I'd get bitten.

Thank you....now I feel completely stupid...  :redface:   :redface:

jenny Oct 26, 2006

Shantell..If you'd rather do it after the opening is closed up..and I do ...just put the two ends of a double length of thread  through the eye of your needle so you have a loop the other end...then draw the needle through the foot..ankle ..heel.. .wrist..where it's not obvious. Leave a loop hanging and then go back the way you went this time take the needle out through the loop then drawing it in and that anchors the stitch really well and doesn't affect the  shape of the foot..paw..face or whatever you're sculpting....no knots, no 'mouse tails' either!!

All Bear Oct 26, 2006

Nice tip Jenny!  I like that one!

There's no magic to the way I do it ... to start I use a neat knot at the end of my thread, pulled through the fabric so that it catches on the inside of the filler and holds tightly.  Once I've stitched my toes, to finish  I weave my needle back and forth through the foot/leg, going back into my exit point each time, holding my tension, until everything feels secure then snip off the thread and it's done!  It's a simple technique I learned years ago when making knitted toys. If done carefully, it should leave no evidence!

shantell Oct 26, 2006

Thanks Jenny, Paula and Ellen...

I've always been happy with the overall look I achieved it was just not the knotting part...I tried pulling it through the fabric into the filler but it seemed like my stitches didn't stay nice and tight...perhaps stuffing a little harder into the feet (hmmmm)...I'll give it another whirl.

I will definitely try your technique Jenny...

Thanks again!!!