Teddy Blog

It’s been a while since I wrote about teddy bears. I have been doing more research, though. I have learned quite a bit, so once I begin a second bear I will be more than ready to do some pattern changes. Looking at the arms especially I feel I can do a better job than the pattern I have calls for. I am still considering a jointed bear this time, so I will need to be very careful in what I do to adjust the pattern.  I would like to make the arms longer and do more detailing than the patterns calls for. In discussing patterns with other bear makers I have learned that you can never be 100% sure how your bear will turn out and it’s a good idea to have a little extra material on hand for errors.

I have the eyes and the nose for the next bear, but since I cannot find the joints locally I will need to order these through the Internet. Once I have all my supplies I can begin constructing another bear. I am anxious to do another one, experimenting here and there as I go. I have the material, the pattern, thread, and the stuffing. I just need to think about the adjustments to the pattern and create my own teddy bear.

My good friend Donna used to work in the local library. She told me she was going one day last week and I asked her to check if they had any books about making teddy bears. She brought me two to look at! What a wonderful surprise!

One book wasn’t what I was looking for at all. It didn’t have enough information to make it worthwhile looking at. The other one was wonderful. It even had some patterns that the author informed the reader could be copied as she had made special arrangements with her publisher for the readers to do just that. I copied 2 of the patterns (there were 4 in the book). I haven’t had the chance to cut out a new bear (it’s spring and the garden and flower beds need more attention than any sewing right now). I do intend to try some of the new patterns I have gotten. I am excited by the knowledge I had gained and will be sharing it in the future with my readers. I need to try out these things to make sure they work for the amateur bear makers like me!

So, I suggest if you don’t have a lot of spare cash laying around, go to your local library and see if there are any teddy bear making books in the craft section. I wish you much luck in doing this. It never hurts to ask!

Brittny was happy to have her bear. She can now hug him and love him to the very end! I imagine him in another year after being dragged behind her as she toddles around the house. Dirty, torn, but well loved. That’s what a teddy bear’s life is to be when given to a small child. Brittny loves her baby dolls, too, but I doubt if they will last as long as the bear will. Our birthday girl had a lovely party and she sure enjoyed opening her presents. She was pretty in pink!