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Jaina Jan 1, 2009

Hi all,

I have looked through the library previously and don't remember this problem being talked about.

I bought myself a lovely new bear kit with my Christmas money, i'm just marking up the lovely long 40mm curly mohair that comes with the kit.

Where I am totally confused is the arrows showing nap direction, I know they are pretty self explaniatory, but the gusset is unlike any i've come across before.  It has a dashed line running about half way down the back part and then the nap changes direction.

What do i do? I can't find a spot on the mohair where the nap changes direction like that, because there isn't anywhere.

Does it mean i cut one way and then damp brush the gusset afterwards to try and get the fur to lie a different way?

Does it mean that as a option, you should cut at the line, and re-sew the gusset into another two pieces to get that effect?

I can see why the fur direction ideally needs to change at that point - to get that lovely effect where the inset face 'clashes' up against the head gusset - but i just don't know what i'm supposed to do to get that effect!

Help! I hope my rubbishy diagram will show you what i mean. :-)

danceswithteddybears Jan 1, 2009

Jaina  ..I'm totally clueless  :doh: but very curious. 
It's a great question, which I've wondered myself.
I'm sure a few TTer's will come to your aid.   :dance:

WildThyme Jan 1, 2009

Oh that's really interesting Jaina!  Perhaps Jenny J. of 3 o'clock bears can pipe in as I know she does a lot of her work with changes in pile direction like that, and many head pieces.  I wager to guess that you are right in thinking that the muzzle itself is cut in three pieces.  One for the snout area in a contrasting fabric, and two in the body fabric.  There would be an "extra" seam at the top of the head where the pile direction changes.  The downward facing pile near the muzzle sort of gives a bang like effect.  And the back area of the gusset is cut in the opposite direction so the hair "grows" downward toward the neck.  Let us know how you make out with it!!   

Kim Basta

danceswithteddybears Jan 2, 2009

Jaina  ..Does the kit come with a picture?  If so, could you scan and post it?
Is the gusset all in one piece right now or in two pieces, as your diagram shows?
I've wanted to do something similar, so I'm most intrigued.

Donna Jan 2, 2009

Hi Jaina,
What is the name of the bear in the kit?  Maybe one of us has used that pattern before.  My first thought was that it had the nap going back towards the eyes on the muzzle and then the rest of the head came forward to give the bangs look.  Do the directions give you any idea or instruction about laying it out to cut?  Some patterns have a section that it shows you how to lay the pattern pieces out on the fabric.  Could it be telling you that the nap can go either direction?  Check the pattern to see if the artist gives contact information.  Sometimes you can contact the artist that made up the pattern to get help.  Please let us know when you find out what it means.
Donna

Jaina Jan 2, 2009

Hi Donna,

The Bear in question is Haniel by Michelle Bradley of Bradley bears; he's the 3rd bear down on this page -

http://emmarybears.com/id63.html

I think where the confusion comes from is because the pattern seems to have been revised - you can make it with it without the inset face. The instructions all refer to the version without the inset; and then the page with this gusset on seems to have been added later on. It doesn't have a layout diagram or layout information.

There is no artist contact details and although i have found the bradley bears website, it seems like it has not been updated since 2007 - so i'm not sure if contacting her directly will work.

I thought i'd ask here because - a) Someone may have made a bear like this from a kit
                                               B) Someone may come across this same issue in the future
                                  and c) I know a few of you artists here go for that 'bangs' look - which i love btw, and may be able to advise how they get it .

I would have thought though, that if it was supposed to be cut into an extra section, then it wouldn't be a dotted line, it would be a section?

Soooo confused!!!

Jaina Jan 2, 2009

if i get no reply from Michelle, i'm thinking of cutting two gussets, on in two part, one in one part and seeing what looks better, i'm pretty sure there's enough mohair to try both. 

Barling Bears Jan 2, 2009

Hello Jaina,

It's nice to have a little "mystery" to think about!!  Without having the pattern in front of you, it's only a guessing game but I would have thought, from your diagram, that it's not a seam line but maybe just an "indication" of where you should possibly change the nap direction by damping and brushing maybe.

If the pattern came from Emmary Bears, then I would suggest emailing/phoning them and chatting to lovely Mary who is so very helpful, and she may be able to shine some light on the problem.  I am sure she would be able to help.

Do tell us what the answer is!!

Hugs

Marilyn

Lovethosebears Jan 2, 2009

Yes please let us know the result - I bought a Bradley Bear pattern with my christmas money, I chose Bloom and although I haven't looked at the pattern yet, I'm sure it will be the same so I'm extra keen to know what you find out 

Hugs Ali x

jenny Jan 2, 2009

I'd say the large piece is intended to have a seam where it's marked to allow the pile to go in the correct direction....maybe the nose piece is intended to be a different colour from the main pieces....you'd need to look at the side pieces to establish that

Plum Cottage Bears Cute Animal AmbassadorJan 2, 2009

I agree that the dash on the pattern may be for an optional inset muzzle.  If you do not make the bear with an inset muzzle, then the logical alternative would be to place the pattern piece on the fur with the nap going away from the nose.

Jaina Jan 2, 2009

Hi all,

I've heard back from michelle who seems lovely 

I know the front piece is the optional muzzle, as the other head doesn't have one.

Re. The wierd seam line, she says the choice is mine! I can either go for a two piece gusset or to get that 'bangs' look, you can cut at the line (adding seam allowance i assume) and make it a three piece gusset.

Problem solved, hope it can be helpful to anyone else who comes across these wierd markings! I will be going for the three piece i think - i like a challenge.   

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 2, 2009

Jaina said: "and c) I know a few of you artists here go for that 'bangs' look - which i love btw, and may be able to advise how they get it ."

I'm one of those who always make my bears with 'bangs', but to achieve that, I just cut out the gusset pattern piece with the pile going toward the nose.  In the case of an inset muzzle, the inset piece is placed with the pile going away from the nose and the rest of the gusset going toward the nose.

Lovethosebears Jan 2, 2009

Hi Jaina, thanks for reporting back, just looked at the pattern I bought and although it doesn't have an optional muzzle peice, it does have the lines through the middle of the gusset so I'm really pleased you asked this question!

Hugs Ali x

Jaina Jan 2, 2009

Thanks Sue Ann    Glad i could be of help Ali.