Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Fabulous bears and each one unique,great work     

Another smashing bear,you've got a real talent for making endearing faces.
Magic!

Gorgeous George .
I can't believe he's only your 3rd bear.You've created such a sweet gentle expression.
Look forward to seeing more of your lovely bears.

Fabulous fox      , really fantastic work, love him.

Aaawww Becky, such a beautiful little bear      - Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful work and that perfect nose,ooohhh..... how I envy your skills.
Now I know what I'm aiming for, no pressure    .

Lisa - I'm not a fast bearmaker so don't hold your breath but I will post a photo of my finished bear because I would welcome constructive criticism on my efforts to help me improve.

Oh Becky, unfortunately it's more than a bus ride away for me but many thanks for your generous thought anyway.
I realise now that I would need to use a long pile fabric to practice the scissor sculpting bit.I do have a short length of long pile mohair languishing somewhere in a cupboard because when it was delivered I hated the colour (looked very different from the shade on my computer screen when I placed my order), so I could look that out and put it to good use.

Your beautiful bears are sure to be snapped up,Lisa , they look very huggable - love them
I so wish I could get to the bear fair.

Thanks for responding folks, I really appreciate your help.
Becky - the gusset end is a bit like the shape of the broad bill of a duck- billed platypus and on the side head the length of the bit from the eye spot to the tip of the nose seems quite long. I'm certain you're right about the scissor sculpting accentuating the shape,the pile of the mohair I'm using is about 1 inch/25mm long - Arrgggghh... that will be a real challenge for me.
Pink - it's interesting to learn of your trials and efforts in making this muzzle shape. I will follow the tip from both of you to get some inexpensive cotton fabric to practice on.
I'm beginning to wonder if I have been a bit over ambitious in trying this pattern,given my limited bear making experience but I'll give it my best shot and as you advise Pink,I'll make sure I have fun doing it.
I'm not fast at bearmaking but when I do get him finished I'll let you know how I managed.
Thanks again for taking the time to give me your advice and expertise. 

I had a search in the library for info on Needlesculpting but I need something visual to help me understand this technique.
I bought a pattern by Marlene de Lorenzo (photo attached) which has a tear drop shaped muzzle and I know I need to needle sculpt between the eyes and a bit above to create a narrower nose bridge.My difficulty is I don't know what else needs done down the side head from the eyes to under the chin (if anything?) because I can only find frontal views of this shape of muzzle and no close ups of a side profile.
I have quite a few Teddybear making books but none cover this technique in great detail.If anyone could help with photos or diagrams I would be most grateful as I don't want to make needless holes in my expensive mohair fabric.
Many thanks
Renee

I love your bears.This little girl is especially beautiful, fabulous detail with such lovely fabric  .

WOW! I can hear that big boy growl!
Superb work     

Fabulous expression! you've definitely created the 'Aaaww' factor.

Stunning big fellow     
I usually make bears between 10/12 inches but currently I'm trying a 24inch pattern and I wonder how much stuffing these big guys eat?

Just gorgeous.What fabulous fur     

You're very welcome Michelle Helen.
Angela is a very generous artist sharing her knowledge and skills in bearmaking and her tutorials have been a great help to a 'new girl' like me.

WOW! Can't believe this is only your second bear,she's fantastic.
Sorry I can't really advise on the trimming as I am a novice at this technique myself.
I think it doesn't need trimmed it looks great as it is.
However here's a a tutorial on muzzle trimming which may give you some tips.
http://www.islebebear.com/muzzle-trimming-part-1
I've seen dog trimming on You Tube which shows curved scissors as a good tool for blending the edges.
Well done!

Good to know of your experience in using this technique and its disadvantages.
Thanks Michelle 

That's good to know that you've found felt successful for concealing joints.
I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks 

Many thanks Bobbie for your very helpful reply.
I haven't yet progressed to my own pattern design as I am still practicing and developing my skills by making bears with patterns I've purchased.
I will email a photo of a pattern that illustrates the type of muzzle style  I would like  to create and describe my idea of  pins and thread approach in more detail.
Very beary wishes

Hi Bobbie,
I came across this older post when searching for some info on needle sculpture.I've only made 11 teddy bears so far as a hobby and would like to progress to the more advanced techniques such as needle sculpture.If you still have the info you refer to I would really appreciate a copy.
I particularly want to create a long,pear drop shaped muzzle and wonder is this achieved with needle sculpting stitches from the inner eye down the side of the muzzle to under the chin? I struggle with symmetry so need some aid to help get the right balance.Would you mark the outline with pins and wrap thread around the pins to get the shape and then zig zag stitches across the muzzle from pin to pin?
Apologies if this sounds like  gobblygook I'm just guessing and could be completely wrong.
Thank you

Many thanks Becky. I agree,tight joints would be less in keeping with a softly stuffed bear.I usually make bears around 10 to 12 inches but I have a pattern I'd like to try for a big boy of 24 inches so I think I'll give the padded discs a try.I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks Becky for responding.
The diagram does show the circle of felt like a filling in a sandwich between the mohair and the disc and it is gathered around the joint with a row of stitches around the edge of the felt circle,similar to how you close the neck opening of a head.

I read recently in a bearmaking book that in the past bear artists used to pad joint discs with a circle of felt sewn around the joint to help disguise the joint being felt on the outside. However it seems this technique is rarely used nowadays.I'm thinking it would be useful if you wanted to make a softly stuffed bear but it would be difficult to achieve a tight fitting joint because of the added thickness of fabric between the discs.
I wonder does anyone do this and if so what difference it makes ?

Great pair, chocolate and cream my most favourite things

Fabulous bear,those eyes are full of soul and superb nose