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Teddy Tales May 15, 2008

I've had this in my head for a long time now and I finally decided to get some information from my local Community College  about teaching a non credit course on  how to make  bears. They would be making 1 bear for a 6 week course, and also learning different techniques and where the teddy bear started from. My question is I need to come up with a proposal and have no idea where to start from,  also I need to write up a small paragraph on the description of the class this will be printed on a brochure that will be mailed out to the community, can anyone help. I just don't know WERE to start. And I really want to do this.

Dilu May 15, 2008

Start with your teaching plan...what do you do first?  Me?  its the fabric that gets me going and from there I design the bear/ 

Will you be using a commercial pattern or one of yours?

You need to talk about the pattern, how to lay it out the most economical way possible
You need to help them learn how to cut the fabric so that they aren't hacking up the $300 mohair....

what kind of stitching are you going to teach?  Machine or Hand

Do they know how to hand stitch???

what kind of thread
scissors
marking implements?
  The shell is done?  What do you stuff with???

how do you stuff??

do you do needle sculpting?

Scissors sculpting

air brushing???

marking pen?

paint?

do you make your own noses???

thread or plastic?

How about eyes???  are you going to enhance the eyes???

now what about the paws
? tail or no?  ears?  how do they sew them on?

now re:  supplies for your class:  are you going to make packets?  supply the supplies?  how will they know what kind of fabric to buy?

I was so excited my first bear that I got online and ordered fabric.....mohair from a fabric store, to line coats with.....needless to say it was all wrong but I still have the bear.

I am sure that others will have ideas for you too

Just relax, start with an outline of what you need to teach, and start figuring out the supply thing....

keep us posted and good luck!

dilu

Daphne May 16, 2008

Hi Louise,
I've LOVE to help you.... I've taught lots of classes and did a similar proposal for the continuing ed department at our local high school!
It'll take me a bit to think and type it all out and I don't have time tonight but I'll get back to you by the end of the weekend. If I don't remind me!
:hug:  Daphne

Teddy Tales May 16, 2008

Thank you so much Dilu, You don't realize all the things you use till you put it on paper ( or on computer!). I'm so excited about this, I just want to share my love for bear making with other people and hope to find new bear makers in my community. you know , get people addicted like we all are!!! I was up all night thinking about this. I will be using my own patterns, I was thinking of doing the beginner class not with mohair but with sassy's product, I dont want them to  be overwelmed, but also discuse and have samples of different mohair and also about recycling furs , so that maybe they will be interested in taking the advanced class and learn needlescuplted toes and face, scisssor scuplting , shading all the other good stuff!!!  I've printed out a  pamphlet about the story of the teddy bear etc...to give them a little information about  where the teddy bear came from. What do you think too much? I'll also have the kits available for them to purchase , Fur, floss, thread , eyes, joints, suede for foot pads & ears, and I'll have them bring fabric scissors, stuffing, paper scissors, needles etc..(tools) How does that sound ?

Daphne, thank you so much for helping me out. I need to also descibe the class in a small paragragh so they can print it in the brochure. I've wrote a dozen different ways that ended up in the trash. I want this to be a beginner class, then later if I get enough people ( I hope) then I would do an advanced class. Thank you, thank you, again Daphne

Louise