Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I want to join too! I did "post" a reply a few days ago, but forgot to press send obviously.... 

I have actually finished my project, the fastest i've even made a bear, paied full attention to it for 3 days!

I will give you a few hints on what I'm doing untill I get pictures... hehe.

The full (around, maybe more) 6 inches only took about a fat 1/8th of mohair, my thumbs are so sore and is very minimal.

Guess what it is?

Richy~ 

I was going to suggest a pair of straightening irons, used for hair... I'm sure it would work but... Thinking about my own hair, after I straighten it, any humidity or getting it wet, does send it kinky or curly if wet.

Maybe try it and then wet it and see if it kinks back up again?

Just a thought

Richy~

Hi!

First of all, Great pattern draping! I agree with what both Karen and Shelly said.

As Karen has said about the concaves around the eye areas, Try stuffing the paper head more. I can see a crease on the second picture behind the eye where the paper is pushed in. Stuff the paper pattern more and note where you will need to needle sculpt. I would say your head high will shorten and get a little fatter at the sides. You will probably need to needle sculpt the eye area, along the "nose" ,the cheeks and whisker pads to get the achieved look of the paper pattern.

I agree with Shelly and a tighter woven fabric. I use calico or cotton fabric that I have to hand. I find muslin just too thin and stretchy to nickel drape and make up in. Grain lines are also a big factor as Shelly said is you place somthing on the bias (diagonal) it will stuff forever and go out of shape.

I would make it up in Calico or Cotton and keep the paper head close by, needle sculpt were you think needs it and push in your eyes like the paper head. Don't forget when you add "fur" to it it will be bigger and if its long you'll need to scissor sculpt too!

Take some more pics of a fabric head if you get stuck !

I love pattern draping, shame I REALLY SUCK at using clay  :crackup: 

Richy~

I know its not a traditional method, but how about a "spine"?

Placing a wire or lockline spine at the back of the bear body attached to the neck joint. In this method I THINK that may keep your bears head up and keep you free to stuff the body almost how you like... Almost belly full of "baby fat" would be super cuddly squishy and would "flop" as its not so dense.

Just throwing some ideas around!?! :hug: 

Richy~

Hi Sandra,

What I think your asking is how to do an open mouth?

If so check out Monica spicers Open mouth tutorial

http://www.monicasattictreasures.com.au … rials.html

There are also alot more Tutorials on her site :)

Take care,

Richy~

Oh my, Hahahahaha!

One thing I have to say is, What a "Oh so wonderful" English boy! 

Hugs,

Richy~

I would say some Leather thonging like the picture below would be good. Maybe in a 1 or 2mm size. 

I knew a Lady who wore a necklace on a leather thonging for years. She never took it off even when showering and it didn't deteriorate.

As you say a loop with a Jump ring would work great I think :)

hugs,

Richy~

Hi,

I'm having a bit of trouble uploading my website to the FTP server. When I upload the images and index file, it's not displaying any of the backgrounds, borders, or other images. I used nvu to build the website and upload it to the server, but it only displays the text... I have also tried to upload it using filezilla with no success.

The website works when I click on the index file and displays correctly. I am totally baffled when I upload it and nothing happens... I wonder if anyone knows what I am doing wrong and what I can do to fix it...

I am trying to upload it to GoDaddy hosting service.

Thank you,

Hugs,

Richy~ :hug:

Hi Millie,

If you look above this post there is a drop down menu Called Library with a little yellow guy waving his arms. If you click the menu and the 3rd one down saying Armature, it will give you a list of past topics talking about armature.

I have never used armature but if I want to find anything, I always check the Library.

If some of your questions aren't answered in the library just post here some ddifficulties you are having.

Hope that helped and we want to see pics of your new poseble bear!

Hugs,

Richy~

Oh Shelli, how can you do that to me :P!

I will have to show just a FEW of my faves.

He's called Red Fox! So cute!

Hugs,

Richy~

Betta splendens are fabulous arn't they?

Well too me, it looks like a female. I think you may see where she has eggs.

If I may have permission, I can ask a few friends of mine who are betta breeders?

A few myths, Don't keep them in small containers. AT least a 5 gallon tank is best with a filter and a heater. Bettas arn't cold water fish and DO need a heater for them to thrive, not just survive, like in a fish store in a tiny cup! If you keep up your weekly water changes you'll have a wonderfull betta for years!

Take care,

Richy~

BTW: Females can build bubble nests too.

Congrats Judi!!!

I did also notice you were on the Australian Bear Creations website!

Here is the link...

http://www.woodlandspublishing.com.au/a … diPaul.pdf

A Double "Wowzie" for Judi!  :clap:

Richy~

I've ordered off sassy fabrics once. I used to make minis a while ago, and LOVED her fabrics, wonderful shipping costs and wonderful fabrics!

I would never hesitate to order of sassy again if I decided to make minis. I used her micro plush with the fabric stabilizer on top works a treat. I also ordered her smoked and her frosted and it was wonderful! I specially like her frosted and smoked but for softness order her micro plush add the stabilizer and its great! SO SOFT and cuddly!

I would never hesitate to order of sassy and her new cashmere fabric looks great I may have to order some of that!! sparks the minis in me to come alive,

HUGS,

Richy~

p.s. Great work stephanie keep those fab fabrics coming!

Well, after my singer was gone. I thought I need a machine to make just bears... So I had a scout on ebay.

Today I just picked up a machine locally. It is a white, Singer Featherweight!!!! It is so small and pretty cute... It came with original box, feet and manuals. It was only £80/$150-60 such a bargin. 

It's going to take some getting used to, from a modern computerized to a 50's'ish not pushing a button for back stitch and weird ritual for winding up a bobbin machine!

I think it needs a service, the spring on the dial where you set tenison ddoesn'tseem to work and i'm a little scared of the electrics.

Anyone who has a Singer feather weight, can you please tell me, what setting you have it on? Stitch length , foot pressure etc etc

I will have to take some pics :photo: , now i've joined the "Singer Featherweight bear making club"  :crackup: 

Big hugs,

Richy~

Isn't Ultra-suede a synthetic fabric? I have never found a way to dye anything that isn't natural.

BUT... have you tried that Syn-Tint from bearycheap? It apparently dyes synthetic fur fabrics. Maybe that'd work on ultra-suede??

Richy~

Thank you for all your replies!

I thought about it and decided I needed a decent sewing machine. So off I go into town, finding a parking space is hard enough! Got there and it was gone!

I really do need a new sewing machine, can anyone recommend one under about $70 /£35 ish. Of course not new but a GOOD second hand one?

Thanks again,

Richy~

Hi,

Does anyone use a Vintage singer? I have found one, so old it is hand turn and not converted to electric.

As my very modern, eletrical computerized sewing machine doesn't not want to sew mohair at all, I am thinking about getting this one. I don't think think it has anything but backwards and forwards but all I need for bears.

Here is a picture I found online, the exact same one and even with a wonderful wooden case.

https://webstore.quiltropolis.net/store … ne-400.jpg

https://webstore.quiltropolis.net/store … se-400.jpg

What do you guys think? It's old, it's metal I guess basic but sturdy? 

I am going to take some samples with me to try out before I purchase, if i'm allowed! (It's an antique market)

Any feed back would be greatly appreciated!

Bear hugs,

Richy~

Well Wilma, I know where I have been going wrong! Brilliant idea. 2 pens taped together is a quater inch my way! I know what i'll be using from now on!

Thanks again,

Richy~

Hi,

What I use is a piece of equipment used by fashion designers called a , Graders set square. They are pretty expensive. Alternatively they sell similar things for quilting. They are clear plastic grids, You place the 1/4" line on your drawing line and draw against it. Very easy to use for sure. And if you need to add seam allowance of any size you can.

Do check your machine if you do use what Donna suggested. I know my edge of my foot edge is more then a 1/4".

Take care,

Richy~

I was thinking and thinking and thinking, then it struck me where I had seen a pattern of a dog online.

This is a Nancy D pattern from her blog

http://www.dogpatchcritters.com/dogpattern1.htm

I hope you don't mind me posting this Nancy.

Richy~

I hope i'm not Hijacking your post but, those who needle felt the noses first, How do you keep the stitches on?

I tried and the threads keep slipping off the sides...

Hugs,

Richy~

Well, I have emailed Janome personally to see what they can do. For a machine that is ment to sew denim it should be sewing through mohair! 

So, I may get a response, some time, this side of the year.

Can anyone show me a close up picture of one of those seams, Preferably the nose/Chin seam as I guess they have the most strain put on them!

Thanks again, 

Richy~

Thank you for the advice, Unfortunatly, It doesn't seem to make a difference.

This is a picture of a seam, just Folded in half, no streching, Obviously using white thread. It is double stitched using a 1.8 stitch.

You guys say check the tension, How would I do that? I know how on an old machine but this is more electronic computerised. I have no Idea how and Lost my instructions.

Any more advice?

Thanks,

Richy~

Hi,

Since I've been making bears, I just can't for the life of me get nice tight seams! I have tried different stitch lengths and it just doesn't want to make tight seams! It is so frustrating when you have finished a bear wonderful, you stuff it and boom, stitches show. 

It just reminds me of a piece of clothing you put on that is way to small and the stitches all show. Not pretty!

Do you think, trimming the seams would help? I tried to trim a seam before on an 6" arm, took me over an hour and it wasn't even. I was sticking, push pins through the back of the fabric where i had drawn the seam allowance and cut against the pins. Is there an easier, quicker less complicated way? I know of allot of you trim your seams, Suggestions so welcome!

Oh also my machine is a Janome DC3050 Décor Computer. 

Here is the link : http://www.sewdevine.co.uk/product_info … 245146478d

Thank you so much for your help,

Richy~