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PottersHouse BearsWhen you make a bear with a hat, do you attach the hat and if so, how? I am finishing up my ZZ Top bears for TB&F. The hats are a major part of the bear, but I'm not sure if I should attach them or leave them loose. I appreciate any help.
Chaska, MinnesotaWell I have not made many hats but the one's I made had ribbon ties to go under the chin. That is one idea. The other hat I made, I put decorative pearl- head pins in it (aka hat pins in the bear world) to make it part of the decoration of the hat yet anchoring it in the head of the bear.
Svenstrup OriginalzOh i like that idea with the decorative pins, Michelle! I will keep that in mind next time. Im also doing the ribbon trick most times 
Tuppies TeddiesI am in a hat frenzy at the moment. Dusty (on my website) has her hat sewn to her head. The bear I am working on at the moment will have her hat attached also.
I feel if the hat is perched at an angle, sewing it there makes sure it stays. Ribbon under the chin is a good way too...
Its all in the hands of the bear maker and what works best for you...
desertmountainbearI love hats on bears, and I LOVE ZZ Top. I saw hem a couple years ago, they were so flamboyant and wonderful, the one band I always wanted to see in my youth and never got to.
When I put a hat on a bear, I either cut ear holes out, or use a band around the brim, and superglue a tiny button to the head of a pin and put it into the band, and then into the head. basically a hat pin, that I make myself.
Joanne
Bears by EdieI have done both - sewing the hat on, and leaving it removeable. I think it really depends on what you want. If the hat is an integral part that you want kept on and in a specific position then attaching it - whether by sewing (I do a couple little hidden stitches on each side so it can still be easily removed if someone later really wants to take it off), or the hat pins sounds a great idea! - is the way to go. If it is the type of hat that could be off or on - like say a bear with a winter toque and scarf, that the owner might like to take the scarf and hat off when it isn't winter, then I don't attach them.
Strange BearsIf it is not a bear going into a competition then I say sew it on .......especially if the hat has to sit or stay at a certain angle to add to the look. However if it covers the ears please make a note on the tag that there are ears underneath.......when I had my shop if a bear came in with a sewn on hat and I wasn't sure if there were ears underneath people would not buy.........having ears are very important for a teddy bear to hear all those whispered owner/bear conversations!!! 
Overall.......just don't perch the had....have some method of fixing it in place...if any bear in my collection has a perching hat that comes off easily I have either sew or pinned it on.........it is si frustrating to try and clean your collection and have hats and bit and bobs falling all over the place. It is now part of my "buyib" criteria..........no falling bits or bits that can go missing easily.......all must be attached in some form or other and easily transportable. The bear must look they way it was purchased pretty much after transporting........and a photo of that pose is much appreciated ......
Chaska, MinnesotaI forgot another idea on the hat pin thingy...take a decorative pin and add beads of different shapes and colors. They could be crystals or pearls. Anything you like to match or contrast to the hat. You would have a very unique hat pin!!
Here is twist on this idea: take a decorative pin-head and add a flower to it:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li … d=11593417
Or use lampwork beads. I found an example on ebay:
