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Old Country BearsHi,
Sorry to bug you guys again, but does anyone have any advise on creating teddy bear patterns. I have made many kit bears and simply don't know where to start with my own. Is there a good book out there? Is it trial and error? It strikes me as really tricky when you take into account the sizing of say the side head pieces and the head gusset and the shape/angles involved in these.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys. 
Cutiepie Bearsif you look at the free patterns section of the site, you will see that sue ann has created a very good pattern for a teddy bear callled Goldie. take a look at those pattern pieces. they are the basic shapes and sizes of an average (regular) teddybear. the other wrinkles and stuff are created with effects such as trapunto pawpads, needlefelting, fabric sculpting-and lots of it if you want to make a realistic teddy bear. if you have trouble lining up the head and the gusset-im sorry, i have no suggestions for you. i learned that mostly by trial and error. i only can approxiamate. hope this helped. 
Past Time BearsThanks much for the compliment, Medlyn! Nikki, check out the library (right above your post on the left side) under the "Patterns" section. There are several threads that might be helpful to you.
Emo BearsI found the encyclopedia of teddy bear techniques very helpful when learning proportions of pattern pieces -
http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Tedd … 474&sr=8-1
It has a great, simple easy to follow instructions and I am still finding it useful - some of these sellers have it second hand for $4!!
There are many great books out there, but this is a good, easily affordable start!
Dances With Teddy BearsHi Nikki
Between kits and creating your own pattern, I suggest using a pre-made pattern like Sue Ann's Goldie, which has already been mentioned. It's fairly easy and makes a lovely bear.
Then try altering the pattern. Baby steps. It's how I learned, although I never did a kit. But there's nothing wrong with using other's patterns, for your own enjoyment.
There are many good bearmaking books. I know, I have most of them! 
:hug:
EJ's CraftsI started by using someone else pattern. Seeing I had been sewing clothing for my family for many years, it was easy to start with a pattern, then altering that pattern and after a while just being able to create what I wanted instead of what someone else had done. I also bought lots of bear making books. I have drawers full of other peoples patterns.....someday I should give them away as I don't even look at them anymore. Like Laura said baby steps and you will soon be creating patterns in your head.
My most FAVORITE book for learning how to design teddy bear patterns is Teddy Bear Art: How to Design and Make Great Teddy Bears by Jennifer Laing.
If I was only allowed to have one book, this would be the one that I kept!
desertmountainbearMy most FAVORITE book for learning how to design teddy bear patterns is Teddy Bear Art: How to Design and Make Great Teddy Bears by Jennifer Laing.
If I was only allowed to have one book, this would be the one that I kept!
I agree with you Laura Lynn, a very wonderful book!
Little Bear GuyI'll also agree with Laura Lynn, if you can get your hands on the Jennifer Laing book it's one of the best. The Teddy Bear Encyclopedia is very good as well for learning new techniques.
One can never have enough teddy bear making books :crackup: .
big hugs
Shane
desertmountainbearAmazon has this book, the least expensive used is $42.00. Here is the link. She really does focus on designing, which is what you want.
http://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Bear-Art-De … 280&sr=1-3
Old Country Bears
Thank you sooo much guys. Again super helpful. I will check out those books and start designing as you all suggested. I had a free afternoon the other day and I was itching to make another bear. I had no mohair left so I cut up an old pair of jeans and made an inside out denim bear. Not a cute, conventional looking bear, but if you wanted to make an evil, scarey looking bear, then this is great fabric to use! Thank you again for your advise. :hug:
Old Country Bears
Couldn't resist adding this one of my cat Sally who is not afraid of Scarey Bear!
Awww! That guy is definitely cute! He's just not fuzzy 
NOT evil or scary at all!
Dances With Teddy BearsHey Nikki
I like your denim bear! It's original and I like original. He's not scarey at all. Does he have a name, besides Scarey Bear? He needs a happy name!
Thanks for posting the pics!
:hug:
desertmountainbearNot scary at all, very sweet. This is a great idea for when you are designing. You can really see what you like and don't like about your pattern before you use the expensive fur.
Joanne
Matilda Huggington-beareI like your bear. Certainly nothing scary about him. He is rather clever. I like the way you think.
Very creative! :clap: :clap: :clap: 
Wendy
cute and very clever of you- I love how you used the rivets for the eyes and the yellow thread for the nose, very creative! Look forward to seeing some more of your ideas
Chaska, MinnesotaNikki: Your bear is so cute!! I can bet you will design fantastic bears...I recommend Ted Mentens book (along with those mention above)...
Hi,
That is how I started 12/13 years ago, I bought a basic pattern made up the bear and then used the dimensions to make patens of my own.
Then progressed to making the whole pattern my self, I had hundreds of different patterns, only last week I went through all the patens I have ever made and threw awayall the old ones. Now when I make a new bear I make completely new paten, I use cardboard cereal boxes to draw my patterns on. I keep them in zip wallets.
Beary hugs Kerren
Old Country BearsThanks guys, as always super helpful. 
Hi Nikki
You might also want to consider taking the online course on designing your own bear through EBearz University
www.kranbearys.com
Hugs
Gail
Posts: 14Hi everyone, I would be grateful if someone out there could give me some advice or instructions on how to calculate measurements to make my own teddy patterns, for example if I wanted to make a pattern for a 16in bear how would I do that? I have tried to find tutorials on this but have been unable to find any. I would like to make my pattern freehand rather than computer aided as I am hopeless on computers, any advice would be much appreciated, thank you in advance!Mary.
