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burlisonbears Feb 10, 2007

Ok in a few days I will have my newest supply of mohair. It's going to be off-white natural short mohair. I'm going to be experimenting for the first time with Rit dyes. Since I have black Rit dye already and the mohair will be white I naturally think this would be the perfect opportunity to learn how to make my first panda. It will only be 4" tall, but I figure a panda is a panda and how to make them is the same way no matter what size.

I know a panda has a white head and black ears and black limbs. That's the easy part. But how do I do the chest part white and the belly black without the seams showing? How is that sewn? And the cutting out part for that matter? And the biggest mystery of all is how is the black area around the eyes is sewn on and cut out?

I hope these aren't silly questions! But I really don't know how to get started  , and I've always loved the look of artist pandas. Anybody with a lot of panda-making experience please help. Thanks!

Eliza

chrissibrinkley Feb 10, 2007

Hi Eliza!
I've been dying Mohair for a few weeks now and it's so cool.  I wish I'd done it sooner! I've been using the RIT dyes too and haven't had any issues at all. 
Let's see if I can help at all with a panda....I've only done a few so I'm no expert at all . The "biggest mystery". Most mini's with the black eye patches are done via shading and not pieced fabrics like some larger bears. There are tons of threads in the library on what people use to shade with from pencils, to pens, to paints.  Most mini books I've seen use the Pigma Micron Markers with the really fine points.  I'd test on a scrap of the mohair to see what medium works for you. I'm sure you could piece in black eye patches, but for a 4 inch mini that could be tricky..not impossible, but tricky.
The cutting part of the pattern: you could take a body pattern you're using now and cut that top chest part off for the black pieces.  Add a seam allowance back in to where you cut across and you've got the body pieces.  Sewing is just the same as any other piece, your seams shouldn't be an issue.
I hope that helps and if I've missed something or given whacky info someone else please correct it!! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

psichick78 Feb 10, 2007

Eliza, do a search in tips and tricks. We had a great discussion here once about creating eye patches for panda's. I personally like to sew mine on using a ladder stitch and lots of patience.

bumblebearies Feb 10, 2007

A pattern or two for your first go-rounds with bears is not a terrible idea either......

burlisonbears Feb 10, 2007

Ok I found that old topic about the eye patches. It seems everyone has a totally different way of doing it! I will first attempt the sewn on patches. If it looks crappy I will go with the shading. I'm used to shading around my little bears' eyes anyway. I almost always shade around the eyes with Prismacolor markers.

Thanks guys!

Bearalive Feb 10, 2007

A question for the dye users......Is there a way to have to stir less?  Does somebody have a way to rinse less? I love to dye Mohair but,
I always end up having lots of pain in my wrist and shoulders for a day or more after I do just a couple of pieces!! Maybe there is no way around it but....I thought I ask just in case.
Bear hugs and Golly smiles.
Gladys

toadbriar Feb 10, 2007

Synthropol is a product that will get all the excess dye out. It's a detergent, people who
dye wool use it.

rkr4cds Feb 10, 2007

I will first attempt the sewn on patches.

Be sure to pluck every bit of mohair out of the backing, not just cutting it off, so that it gets a nice close fit.

And as that's an area that has a lot of curves in different directions going on in a very small area, besides even more tension added with sinking the eyes into the sockets there, cut your patches on the diagonal, not with the straight of the fabric's grain.

Bearalive Feb 10, 2007

Thank you Kim   I will look for Synthropol. That will be a great help
Bear hugs and Golly smiles.
Gladys

toadbriar Feb 11, 2007

You might have to get it online, unless you have a store that sells acid dyes. I found it at the Really Good art supplies
store in town. I haven't used it yet (I'd been washing the dye outta my roving with shampoo...lol)

Eileen Feb 13, 2007

cut your patches on the diagonal, not with the straight of the fabric's grain.

This is a great tip, Bobbie!

Eliza, if you want the black/white seamed area to look more natural, you can turn the seam allowances upward, or away from the direction of the fur's nap . This way, the fur appears to blend more naturally.

kbonsall Feb 13, 2007

I just visualize where I want the white to start on the body and cut my body pattern part in half (I have a separate pattern for that).  I also make the ears black and I can't remember what else (been a while since I made a panda)... I don't do eye patches, I just shade