Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

For an 11" bear you should be fine with either.  I always perfer the fat quarter because I can get a 16" bear out of a fat quarter but can't get it out of the long quarter yard.  You have to watch the length of the leg and the body.  If they are longer than the 9" quarter yard you will not be able to fit the pattern pieces on the 9".  But your 11" pattern should not have any pattern pieces over 9".
Donna

Boy are you taking me back a few years.  Yes they exist, probably 30 years ago I had one for my old machine.  I did a quick google for clear sewing machine foot and found plenty.  My guess would be that any sewing machine shop or even a fabric store would carry them.  That is a good idea.  I stole Shelli's method and use the zipper foot when I need to see the edge better.
Donna

I like to do an add on open mouth.  I make the chin part of the head with less depth and then add the depth back in with the open mouth.  The easiest way is to make a shape and size similiar to the ear. 
Donna

Hi Melissa,
If I were doing it, I would buy a fat quarter and there should be enough left over to do an 8 inch bear.  Or buy two fat quarters of colors that work together and you have three 11" bears.  One of each of the colors and one mixed colors.  You might be able to get the 11" bear out of a fat 1/8 yard but you would have to be very careful.
Donna

Rotraud Ilisch has a CD that has all kind of good info on it.  It is Teddies, Bears and all That.  I got mine at Edinburgh.  In it she has a pattern that has two bodies, two styles of legs, four sideheads, four different ears, two different foot pads, and three head gussets.  It can be a real learning tool for how different parts look going together.
Donna

I know at one point Schulte made some bald mohair.  It was in a gold color.  You could check with the factory or call Edinburgh Imports.
Donna

The ones I have seen have not been stitched but glued together.  The edge of the mohair has been treated but I have not asked if it was the glue or fray check.
Donna

The American Toby award is totally based on visual appeal.  And the people who win that award do feel like they have won an award of high standing.  But in reality, the winning of that award is based on a photograph that many times has been enhanced by a computer program. 
 
Then also, I have entered competitions at some shows where there are only two ribbons awards but there have been only one or two entries in a catagory, so saying that you won a ribbon does not really mean anything.  I like to enter these contests to challange myself to make new and different creations.  It may not be the same type of contest as in Oz but I am still growing and trying to improve.

Just last weekend at Lincoln City there was a competition.  It has a rule that you can enter a bear from your collection.  In that competition you could be going up against a Stieff or any other manufactured bear or a well known artist that the collector has purchased one of their bears.  I have a problem with that aspect of the contest but this is a show that is fun and hosted by a bear club so their view is different than that of many promoters.

I don't think there is an easy answer for this debate.  I also think that the people who are claiming that they have won a ribbon just for participating will continue to make that claim even if you try to change the way the competitions are run or the ribbons are handed out.  I think we just need to hope that the collectors are clever enough to figure things out on their own.

I received an email today saying that Claudia Wagner from Germany had passed away about a month ago.  Does anyone on here know if there is any truth to this?  I'm finding this very hard to believe. 
Thanks,
Donna

I've been in your shoes and it is not a fun place to be.  I will pray that Henry is offered the best position in the world for him and all the perks will improve both your lives.
Donna

Hey little lady,
You have a great time and Aleta is right about the small stuff.  Tell us all how to access the wedding so we can all be there too!
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Tami,
Maybe you should switch over to set screws or grub screws so you don't have to worry about the glue to use and you won't be bald from pulling your hair out.  Not mentioning the abuse the poor bear could suffer.  They are a little more expensive than the regular bolts but you don't have the problem of the glue not holding.  You are saving time and frustration!
Donna

Thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Donna

Sonya,
So sorry to hear the puppies did not make it.  You and Sunshine take care of each other.  Give yourselves time to grieve.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs,
Donna

Hi Angela,
I use set screws or grub screws with all of my bears from 6" up.  I do sell supplies for bear making.  The cost for just the set screw is $8.50 for 50 that are 1" x 1/8.  I think the $5.00 a joint is way over priced.  I also like to recommend using a hex head bit in your racheting screwdriver to speed things along.  I also sell those for $2.00.  If you want to PM me or send an email with your jointing needs I could help you with prices and hopefully get you set up with everything you need.
Isn't bear making fun!
Donna

Since we are all discussing Margaret again I thought I would put my two cents in.  I have received four calls in the last three days, more before that but wasn't counting.  I have decided to send a letter to her mother.  I hate bothering an 81 year old person with this type of thing but she does need to know that she needs to get control of the situation (I just hope her health allows it).  The mothers first name is Faye if anyone wants to send a letter or call and talk directly to Mom.
Donna

Dilu,
If you are referring to Edinburgh as E, they no longer have the Magna Tac.  I tried to order it in July and was told they no longer have it.
Sorry to burst your bubble!
Donna

Wendy,
Why not cover the end of a real egg with Saran wrap then do your paper mache over that for Jr.'s hat?  Or is Jr. much bigger than that?
Donna

I think it was Laura Lynn that told to take a bear out and rub it on a sidewalk to dirty it down and to wear the mohair.  I got the result I wanted by giving the bear a light misting of water first so that it took on more dirt from the sidewalk.  I think I would take some scrap mohair and actually put it in some real ash to see what you ended up with.  After you had some good covering of ash then I would lightly clean it.  You learn so much by just playing.
Donna

Pipa,
I made Lisa Pay's yorkie before I designed my own.  I used AA30 from Edinburgh.  It is 3 inches long and worked fine.  They can use your debit card.
Donna

Sonya,
I am so glad it took this time.  Enjoy the babies!  Since it is at least two, you will get to keep one!
Donna

Jennie,
You can use the copic markers with a compressor.  Don't use the air cans they give you bursts or spurts that do not give you a nice finish.  The compressor that I have, has a control that allows different amounts of air to go over the tip of the copic marker.  If you already have the copic markers, you might as well get the compressor to use with them.  Then as you progress you can then pick up the airbrush that will give you a different effect.  To turn the copic markers into an airbrush system all you will need is the grip and your compressor or air tank.  My thought is that if you already have the copics use what you have and grow from there.  You will be able to use the compressor or air tank with the airbrush when you are ready to make that leap.  I can get you the grip and the attachment you need to go to a compressor or air tank if you need help.
Donna

Ginny,
If you can't get them into the freezer, put them in plastic bags with mothballs.  If I remember correctly they should stay in the bag for two weeks.  After they come out of the freezer or the mothballs then the cedar will help keep them from getting attacked again.
Good Luck,
Donna

Hi Bev,
I did a google search for waxed nylon thread.  There is a Silamide that is a 2 ply for beading.  Do you have a brand name for what you were using?   Don't you just hate it when you find a product you are very pleased with the results you get and then you can't get it any longer!
Donna

I hope you all can help!  I have my Aunt's and my Grandmother's wedding dresses.  I want to make a wall hanging, pillow, potpourri thing for my aunt, cousins and second cousins.  I have copies of their wedding pictures and I want to transfer them to fabric and then use the fabric from the wedding dresses to make these little mementos.  My question is what is the best method of transferring the picture to the fabric?  I have a HP PCS 1610 All-in-One Printer that my husband can not get the scanner to work.  I am not that knowledgeable on the computer but could get hubby to break away from the new pump he is playing with just long enough to help.
Then my second question is:  Do I applique the picture transfer onto the front fabric of this pillow thing and cover the edge with lace or gathered netting from the dresses or do I do a log cabin quilt effect around the picture transfer from the fabric from the wedding dresses.  Or do I just play around and see what happens?  I don't have extra fabric to be wasting so whatever I do, it needs to be something that will work.  There are two great grandsons that are not married (one is my son, so he is not a problem, really)  these are going to be pretty feminine.  Any ideas for just a man?
Start sending ideas, my Aunt has a birthday in Sept. and I hope to have hers finished for her birthday.  I know you all will come to my rescue with lots of brilliant ideas.
Thanks in advance,
Donna