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dangerbears Apr 29, 2009

Dear Teddy Talkers,

I've been making traditional mohair teddy bears using patterns for about six months now. I have several good books that have helped me with most every area - except claws! I've also looked through the TT archives, and not found any information on making old-fashioned embroidered claws.

My goal is to make simple, straight-line embroidered claws (maybe four of them per paw as on Steiff bears). Can anyone explain:

1.) At what point in the process do you stitch claws? (Is the limb stitched, but still wrong-side out, or already turned and stuffed? other?)

2.) How can I stitch claws without leaving visible knots?

Thanks very much!

Becky Chase

desertmountainbear Apr 29, 2009

Hi Becky,  Happy to see you here.  What I have always done is after the bear is completely stuffed.  I insert needle into the place where the fur and pawpad meet.  I pull it up to where I want the claw line to start.  I leave the tail of the floss in the bear paw.  I take a small stitch to hold the floss and then I bring the cotton floss over that stitch and back into the place where the fur and fabric meet.  Next claw, bring the floss up to where you would like the next claw to be, bring it down to the pawpad.  Do this for the four claw lines.  I always took another small stitch into the last claw, and then pulled the thread into the arm to leave a tail inside the body, and trimmed the extra of.  Does that make any sense at all?  If you don't understand I will try to make myself clearer, or maybe someone else will explain better.
Joanne

ps  Your avatar bear is adorable.

dangerbears Apr 29, 2009

Thank you, Joanne!

Your instructions make sense to me, and I'll let you know whether I really understand when I try them out. (Thanks, too, for the compliment. I'm really happy with that bear, too, and I LOVE the fabric!)

Best regards,
Becky