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Hmm ... so now I'm rethinking my basting idea. Could save a whole lot of time.
Deb, I still baste too even with trimming the seam allowances... but I use the staples basting method (except on the head and footpads) it is SO fast & easy!
I got my battery operated trimmer at Wal-Mart for $15!
I am interested in this stapling method...I am a pin and sew person..is it quicker to staple?
Back Road BearsYes, Laura, do tell more about the stapling.....
Debbie - grooming clippers.... why didn't I think of that??? I have brand new Andis ones..... I've tried grooming my wheatens but have decided I either need a lesson or should just let the groomer do them!! It's worth $50 each to let someone else do them!!! My next dog will be very short haired! (want to come give me a lesson???)
Upstate New YorkMy next dog will be very short haired!
Chihuahua's are short-haired. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Posts: 3,540
Daphne you've got me giggling here! ....wheatens, if I remember correctly are primarly handscissor anyway. You use clippers for the ears, eye corners, neaten tummy/under tail, and scoop the pads...the rest is completely handscissored. Now if you're going for a utility, or puppy type pet clip (which I think is adorable!), you can use your Andis clippers....get a #40 blade, with a one inch extension. Make sure the extension's edges are rounded, I had some longer extensions that had really sharp ends that I took my nail file too. Also, with an extension, you will quickly discover just how good you are at combing out your dog! Its amazing how many snags and snarls an extension will find.
I'm the same way, looking at shorthaired breeds for any dogs that come into our future
Upstate New YorkPoor Riley ...
Back Road BearsDeb - Chihuahua...... Don't go there!!!!! 
Debbie - Yeah, I realized just how much the tiniest knot made clipping a misearble adventure! I use the clippers for his back as well as all the other places you mentioned. Legs, face and tail are scissored. I don't think they look too awful but could use a professional's clean up! Riley has a puppy cut (he's only 7 months and doesn't have all that leg fur yet) and Tucker... well, he's got a cut closer to the standard, less the 'fall'... if I can't make eye contact with him I can't get him to do ANYTHING!
Anyway, thank you for the guidelines. I'm using a #10 blade so will get a 40. Have the extensions...they are pointy so will take my file to them. Great idea!
You just never know what you are going to learn on TT!!! :dance:
Re: pinning. I'm a convert to the alligator clip method. You need a different foot (I think I'm using a zipper foot, myself) on your machine to get past them -- or, at least, I need a different foot! -- as you can't sew over them like you would with straight pins. But they keep your pattern pieces beautifully together, with no slippage of fabric. It took a while to get used to them but I would never go back. Things stay tight and no distortion from the pin insertion/exit points!
I haven't tried Laura's staple method because I like this one so much but I think it would be preferable to straight pins since it's basically immovable, just like the alligator clips. I just found that the straight pins didn't do a good enough job keeping things from shifting while I machine stitched my pieces.
Posts: 3,540Daphne..when using the #40 blade, always be sure you've got that extension snuggly in place. You *really* don't want to use it without the extension. I only used it for touchups on poodle feet around the nails, but its used by the vet's for surgery shaves.....so extra close.
I know exactly what you mean about the professional touchups, as I used to have people bring in their dogs wanting the same...and in reality, they were doing a good job, just a different angle here or there, or a different tool. As for the detangling....I have a lovely weapon for you. Simply called THE Stuff its the BEST detangler for dogs I have ever found!!! (do not use it on cats however) http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product … uctID=1761 I used to order from these people when they were New England Serum Company, and have never adapted to the new name, but they sell THE Stuff. They also sell Bio Groom's shampoos and conditioners. If you've never used them...they are phenomenal!!! I adored the finishes on my dogs and cats and it always left their skin wonderful, and the Silk conditioner...oh my, it feels just like silk! But for your pups, you'd probably be better off with the terrier texturizing conditioners.
Back to THE Stuff...you will need to dilute it, and be sure to follow the directions as the stuff is super slick! No pun intended... :doh:
One thing that was fun with this detangler...we used to spray it on matted dogs, hit with the force dryer and watch the mats literally blow apart and off the dog Great fun 
Back Road BearsDoes sound like fun and I do have an air force dryer..... hmmm......
I brush them 3 times a week and manage to avoid any nasty mats. I also have no fear of taking my scissors and cutting it out.. the little mats that get the best of me are usually in his 'arm pits'... no one will see! (Shhh!) I'll check out THE Stuff. I've ordered from Pet Edge a few times now.
Debbie, thank you so much for the advice!
Shelli...I can't get my head around what you mean...maybe I am not understanding what an alligator clip looks like..
Back Road BearsHere's a picture (if it works). Search on ebay..... these are hair clips. They also make ones with teeth.
Daphne uses something different than I do, and than I've seen posted elsewhere. I use "alligator clips", which are used to wire things (apparently.) They can also be referred to as... um... ahem... roach clips. By SOME people. I've been TOLD.
Here's the link to the place I actually buy mine; this is their website, and I got mine at a local store in Chico of the same name. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index … age=family
Picture as above.
The ones I use are VERY strong and 1 1/4" long. This isn't my original idea; I think Laura Lynn or someone at the Edinburgh Classroom was discussing this some time ago and I heard about, and then saw pictures of, them, there. It did take some getting used to, and was an effort to switch over... but the selling point for me was the way these clips hold the pieces together so tightly, and the ease with which I can clamp them onto the pattern pieces. The adjustment is around the part of bearmaking where you actually sew the pieces together on the machine! It does require, as I said, a different foot, because you cannot sew over them... you must sew beside them. So that took some getting used to. I wouldn't go back, tho.
Just fyi, I bought about a hundred of these things; probably cost me $20 or so for that many, but I can pin about two entire bear ptterns and not run out!
Kiprie BearsI usually use scissors to trim my seams but
I would like to try the moustache trimmers for next bear. 
Kim, I like to trim seams for hand-sewing too ! I found that it's easy to close the opening area too.
Kim-Bee BearsI am so afraid to trim too much LOL... so that will prevent "rooster tails" then?? I usually stuff and move stuffig around until they go away
Kiprie Bearsso that will prevent "rooster tails" then??
Hi Kim !
Yes it does if you can trim all the mohair on the seams.
I use 2pins when I'm trim,
just stick the first pin straight up from back side of mohair (on the sewing line.. 1/4" s for me)to front of mohair.
2nd pin for 2inchs away. then trim on the seams between 2pins. when you cut the 2inchs away, pull the first pin and
stick that in 2inchs away of 2nd pin. It sound very dangerous but this is what I learned from my bear teacher Ms. Koga from Japan. I tried it and I could cut the EXACT 1/4" on seams . but , please be careful not to hurt your fingers by standing pins !
I promiss to post a photo tomorrow !
Hugs/Marie
Kim-Bee Bears Thanks Marie, you are great!! :hug:
Upstate New York Back Road BearsI just did a search and found those pics. I do use clips in quilting when attaching the binding around the edge but they are a little different and wouldn't work on fur.
You can get the electrical aligator clips like Shelli uses at most hardware stores. I think they'd be grrrrrrrreat! (Ha!) Must remember to pick me up some. These would be great for working with real fur too, wouldn't they???? Wish we'd talked about this a couple months ago!!
Glad you told us, Shelli!
Hi Everyone!
sorry so late to get back here... been donig more packing and cleaning window treatments for the new owner!
here's a link to how I baste with staples... and I also use the alligator clips prior to stapling. I find the clips keep the mohair in place better than pins (for me anyways)
Apple Dumpling DesignsI started using the alligator clips as well...and again I think the suggestion came from a post of Shelli's. I got them out of a clearance bin (jewelry) at Joann's for about 50 cents for a package of 10. I bought 5 packages...well I bought all they had. They work great...I, however, sew up to them and then take them out before going forward. I never sew over my straight pins either although I know you can.
I tried LL's stapling method and it didn't work as well for me because I'm just too messy and kept missing the garbage can when pulling the staples and ended up with one in my foot
Good Luck Deb...you must be on a creative roll lately!!!
Upstate New YorkGood Luck Deb...you must be on a creative roll lately!!!
Don't know about that ... just have to start finding ways to be more of a time miser ... all efficiency gains!
:dance:
Kim-Bee BearsI tried LL's stapling method and it didn't work as well for me because I'm just too messy and kept missing the garbage can when pulling the staples and ended up with one in my foot :lol:
OUCH! That would be my luck too, Shantell!
Upstate New Yorkhere's a link to how I baste with staples... and I also use the alligator clips prior to stapling.
Ahh ... when you say staple ... you mean STAPLE. 
Deb... I think the 7/8" ones would work fine, in terms of holding the fabric shut at the edges. But... I see a big problem with folks being able to handle picking them up with ease.
I have young, strong not-arthritic hands which are currently free of tendinitis of any kind -- I think like yours, Deb -- and I have to admit, I feel like a giant, with huge sausage fingers, in picking up my 1 1/4" alligator clips. They are very small and thin and not as easy to get a grip on, believe it or not, as straight pins with ball heads. So I think the 7/8" clips, being so tiny, might drive you to drink -- because as you tried to pick them up and open them, I imagine them shooting across the room, leading to much swearing and eventual tossing into garbage cans. They are not entirely easy to open, because the clamping action IS so very strong. So I think for that reason the slightly longer ones would work significantly better for you, not for clamping, but in terms of the big picture.
But I'm saying this wihtout having tried the smaller/shorter ones. So if you have tiny, nimble, strong fingers, and a lot of patience, give them a try. Or.. heck, they're cheap enough, you can try whatever size you want. Just buy a packet or two.
Personally, though... and in reality, by the way, I have long, thin fingers, type 100wpm, and play piano, so I figure they're pretty dexterous!... I would stick with a size ONE INCH or longer.
Hope this helps!
