Teddy Blog

Tonight I went online to learn about books on making teddy bears. The one book I see highly recommended seems to be “100 Bears to Make” by Nancy Tillberg. I am going to have to look for this book and will begin with the online search engines. I have a feeling most of my supplies are going to have to be coming from the Internet since it just doesn’t seem like there are any stores nearby that sell what I will need to do teddy bears.

I also learned that putting the joints in the head of a bear takes time. It’s also best to double stitch around the joint area so the seams won’t open. I know I am going to make mistakes. From what I gather, everyone who starts making bears makes errors. Perhaps these errors will become the bears that will be loved the most by family members because they are so special. Trial and error will be the rule.

I have been looking at already made teddy bears in stores, deciding on how to adapt the pattern I have now to make the nose longer. I really will attempt this! I have made up my mind and will be working on this as soon as I can. I have material, but I do want to do a jointed bear. I will get all the parts and then get started. If it rains this weekend and I can’t be outside doing yard work, I will have to get busy working on my own pattern.

It was also suggested to me to try different arm lengths. The pattern I have doesn’t have very long arms. In doing my research I have noticed many artists make the arms long enough to reach halfway down the legs. I will adapt my pattern to the length I feel is just right. I also want to try to use a plastic nose. I have seen these in the stores and thought I would at least try one. So, I do have ideas and hopes that this next bear will turn out even better than the first.

I found a wonderful website that you really should check out. www.greatgoogliemooglie.com
She creates bears with open mouths and claws! They are so real looking and just about the neatest bears I have ever seen! She’s been making bears since 1999. When I emailed her she gave me some great advice. Very nice lady who cares about the first time bear makers! She encouraged me to continue making bears, but to adapt the patterns to make them my own. I am going to try this and see what happens.
I like the bears that seem real. Looking at their pictures I felt they were going to reach out and pull me into their world. I wanted to go into their world, especially the world Jodi has created. Take a few minutes and check out her bears. I know you will be just as amazed as I was.