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shantell Apple Dumpling Designs
Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 3,128

I've always admired the bears whose arms lay flat or close to the body.  I've tried several attempts at changing my bears arms so they have that affect but I'm doing something wrong.  I'd like them to hug the bears body close.

What's the secret?

psichick78 Flying Fur Studios
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,073

Umm. I'm not sure if I can really picture what you are talking about. Although, the larger the disks, the more the arm will hug the body.
You could also put a dart or two in the arm to curve it to where you want it to go.

Or maybe I'm totally on the wrong track. LMAO!

Jane Perala Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

I agree with Heather, and would use the largest diameter disc possible.  Also it depends on what type of body you are making.  If it is a 4 piece body, you must make sure that the pattern isn't too convex just where the inside disc would be, it should be more concave.   If you are using a two piece body, then just the larger disc should work.  Hope that helps a bit.

Jane P.

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

And my two cents...  and I'm not too sure I can explain this but I had to figure it out with the movie bunnies.

I made the inner arm piece a bit more narrow and just a tad shorter than the outer arm piece. Does this make sense? Also used largest disks possible and didn't stuff arm's shoulder much.

You could also do a dart on the inner arm where the elbow would be. Heather mentioned this. It will bring the arm inwards just a bit without looking like a 'bent' arm if done right. You could also do this at the wrist instead or in addition to the elbow.

Yes, shape of body where you are attaching the arm makes a big difference. Great point, Jane!

shantell Apple Dumpling Designs
Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 3,128

I must be on the right track.  I already do the biggest joint I can safely stuff into the space...and I don't overly stuff in that area.  Perhaps my problem lies more in the body shape (notice I didn't say MY body shape bear_original )   I'll give these other suggestions a try and see what I come up with.

Thanks Heather, Jane & Daphne.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well.

Stellajella Wien
Posts: 1,399

Shantell, apart from the big disks I found out, that, when placing the arm a bit further down from the head, it stays flatter to the side. ( I hope you understood what I was trying to explain) :doh:
Because then you have a wee shoulder,  that you can stuff and build a base for the flatt side of the arm, and by doing this, you can either make the arm stand out or lay flat to the body.

Does that make sense? bear_wacko
Help! Can anybody translate this into English?? :crackup: Sorry,that´s as good as it gets...

Gaby bear_flower

Winney Winneybears and Friends
White City, Oregon
Posts: 1,103

My 2 cents...when you place the disc inside the limb....make sure (on the average bear )that there is no more than a 1/4" empty  space  between the  top of the wood disc to the top arm stitched seam...

.or once when stuffed  the top of the arm will buldge out.......on small bears I leave a 1/8" space... Yalllll know what I mean ? ON sone bears I like to use a smaller diameter disc..because I want more arm movement...but I still leave the 1/4" space at the top seam.....I noticed if I use a too big a disc the bear seems really stable but kinda stiff and ridged looking....I guess it depends on what kind of bear  and the look you are going for. Did you ever realize how many ways there are to making a bear ? GOsh ! ...Winney

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