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dangerbears Apr 6, 2012

Calling all experts in babies and in child-safe bears!

I'm going to be working out an unjointed pattern for a bear for my anticipated new niece or nephew, and I have a couple of questions. First, what kind of fabric would you want YOUR baby's bear to be made of? Cotton plush? Mohair? A high-quality acrylic plush?

And second, what kind of nose should I make? My usual is embroidered perle cotton over a felt template, which seems to me like to be pretty rugged and chew-proof, but what do you think?

For eyes, I'm thinking plastic safety eyes, or those could be embroidered as well...

Thanks for your help!

Becky

dangerbears Apr 6, 2012

Thank you for your ideas, Pink! :hug:

I agree that the plastic eyes might not be the safest (Could be pulled out by a very determined baby, I think). And cotton sounds like a good choice.

I hadn't thought about it's being washable, but that makes good sense. And you're right - nowadays they recommend not having anything soft in the bed with a baby - not even a pillow, correct? So I suppose a firmer stuffed bear might be safer than a softer one? (And then, of course, mom and dad can decide when it's the right time to give it to the baby.)

I appreciate your help!

Becky

tcfolk Apr 9, 2012

Becky, I faced this dilemma a couple of years ago!  I ended up making two!  The first I made of very long pile terry cloth.  I did stuff it with poly as Pink said, but it has been washed many times in washer and dryer and seems to be okay - I didn't know you weren't supposed to wash it!  Features were all embroidery and felt.  I used fine yarn for the embroidery, floss seemed to bleed.  The bear was about 10". I then made a second one for when he was a little older out of a washable plush with the same basic principles, but it was his "grown up" bear and not the "baby bear".  This one was about 16".  It gave me great joy to see him enjoy them so much.   Have fun with your project and all the joy it will bring!   :hug: tc

dangerbears Apr 9, 2012

Becky, I faced this dilemma a couple of years ago!  I ended up making two!

Awww...How thoughtful of you! Terry cloth is a great idea, and I appreciate your advice on the embroidery floss. (So many things to think about!)

Becky

thondra Apr 9, 2012

hey becky:)

some time ago i made a pattern for an unjointed bear
it was the wish of the mother to have polutant free material, able to be washed in the machine
so i went for schulte cotton plush

i used the savety plastic nose and plastic savety eyes ...

here you can see 2 teddys made out of this material
http://mytopteddy01.blogspot.de/p/baby-toys_11.html

the pear shaped toy was a new order a month ago, and there the eyes are made over white felt ... with the zig zag (?) stitch and then stitched to the toy with black zig zag around the edge and inside the pupil
i guess you could zig zag it also with a teddy and all over the area... would make it really secure that way

dangerbears Apr 9, 2012

some time ago i made a pattern for an unjointed bear

I really like your unjointed bears! The contrasting fabric colors give them character, and they look like they'd be very nice for a baby to hold and play with.

Thank you for the tips for sewing the eyes on, too.

Becky

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorApr 9, 2012

There is a really soft fabric called 'Minkee' that I love for children.  It is rather stretchy, so you might want to either stuff softly or line it.

dangerbears Apr 10, 2012

Oh, yes, Sue Ann - that Minkee is cloud-soft! Another good idea! :dance:

Becky

desertmountainbear Apr 10, 2012

Hi Becky,
I think I would make a very sweet unjointed bear from mohair.  Can't get anymore natural.  Children have been playing with mohair bears for 100 years or so. You know they hold up.  I know you use wool when filling your bears.  I would use wool.  Both of those items can be washed.  I would place to bear in a pillowcase and put it in a cold wash on delicate.  Take it out, no dryer needed.
Eyes, I would embroider as well as the nose.
Whatever you choose I hope there will be pictures posted here.

Joanne

dangerbears Apr 11, 2012

I think I would make a very sweet unjointed bear from mohair.

That might be very nice, Joanne. I was just wondering whether there might be any problem with wool and a baby's sensitive skin? (Having had no babies myself, I know nothing about these things. :))

Becky

desertmountainbear Apr 12, 2012

For me, being the natural type mom I was, I would have always choosen something natural next to my baby's skin, she wore cotton. Her favorite little toy from birth was a little cotton doll.  She did have a mohair bear that I made her.  She still has it.  It is big though and she did not lug it around with her. 

You never know what a person will be allergic to I guess until they are born.  But I can not imagine for one minute that the softness of mohair would be irritating.  If you choose to use it you may even want to wash it with Ivory Snow or some gentle baby soap to make sure it is as chemical free as you can make it.

I can tell you for certain, that if you go with a synthetic plush that sooner or later after washings it will not look like the same material that you started with.  I washed all of my daughters stuffed toys in a pillowcase, on gentle.   After a while, even though they are still wonderful the fur gets matted looking. 

I also really like Martina's idea of cotton plush.

dangerbears Apr 12, 2012

Thank you for the insights, Joanne! Washing the mohair is a great idea, and I already know it can be done with no problems. (As a bonus, I have plenty of it already. :D)

Becky