Teddy Bears

[princess heart]

Hi everyone...
I love teddy bears and I just wondered if there was anyone else who loved them as much as I do? One day I hope to be able to collect designer bears, but for now I just rescue them from rummage sales and thrift shops. My dream is to outfit the rescued bears and refurbish them. I also want make simple friendly bears to donate to the homeless shelters. I just love teddy bears. Are there any collectors, bear lovers or bear builders here?
My total favorite to do are jointed bears, but I am just a beginner and wondered if anyone had hints, tips and insights for a beginner. I can't afford to purchase mohair yet and look all the time for bushy sorts of fabric, have killed several bathrobes for the fluffy material that makes the best bears. Have used looped felt... GREAT STUFF... any other suggestions?
Anyway, any bear fans here?
PC

 

[Celticflower]

I have been collecting teddy bears for years and even have some that are worth some money (but I love them cuz they're cute).
I make crocheted teddy bears all the time and give them to the Children's Advocacy Center and Project Linus to pass on to children in need.
A designer friend of mine has made bears out of any fake fur material. I have 3 of her bears - two are out of high end fabric, but Pal is just acrylic fake fur and he is very cuddly!
I also collect ceramic and glass bears. And a big thrill last summer was seeing 2 black bears (real, live bears!) in Shenandoah National Park. It was our 5th trip thru the park, but the first time we've seen bears.

Flora

 

[princess heart]

I have been collecting teddy bears for years and even have some that are worth some money (but I love them cuz they're cute).
I make crocheted teddy bears all the time and give them to the Children's Advocacy Center and Project Linus to pass on to children in need.
A designer friend of mine has made bears out of any fake fur material. I have 3 of her bears - two are out of high end fabric, but Pal is just acrylic fake fur and he is very cuddly!
I also collect ceramic and glass bears. And a big thrill last summer was seeing 2 black bears (real, live bears!) in Shenandoah National Park. It was our 5th trip thru the park, but the first time we've seen bears.

Flora

I like fake fur, but I am not confident enough in my technique to justify the cost of the fake fur yet. My ultimate amibition is to aquire at least one realy fur to make teddy's from. Just to say I have done it. My best friend has a teddy made from mink and it is the most wonderful soft thing to hug! While I learn to design my own patterns I am trying to think of things that I can recycle to practice without worrying too much about the cost of the materials.

 

[Celticflower]

A mink teddy would be neat to own -- if I ate mink. (personal philosophy--if I don't eat it I don't by the hide).

There are some fake furs in acrylic that aren't too expensive, but they are not all that realistic either.

You could try wool--like the steiff bears are made of. Not real cuddly though, a bit scratchy.

Another idea a friend came up with if you just want to play around with a pattern--carpet remnants. Seems stiff to me, but I play with yarn so what do I know?

Flora

 

[princess heart]

A mink teddy would be neat to own -- if I ate mink. (personal philosophy--if I don't eat it I don't by the hide).

There are some fake furs in acrylic that aren't too expensive, but they are not all that realistic either.

You could try wool--like the steiff bears are made of. Not real cuddly though, a bit scratchy.

Another idea a friend came up with if you just want to play around with a pattern--carpet remnants. Seems stiff to me, but I play with yarn so what do I know?

Flora

boy... carpet remnants? I can't even think of how difficult that would be to sew! Or how thick the seams would be!

I have seen some great fake fur. I just bought some plush felt and loopy felt, both are fun to work with. I saw some real rabbit fur died all kind of ways-- leopard and tiger furs! At $8 each that will have to wait for awhile!

 

[Celticflower]

There is a yarn called Homespun that is so soft and cuddly that I have gotten hooked on it for shawls. I have been kicking around the idea of making a bear with it. It would probably cost about $8 to make (I'm figuring 2 skeins at $4 per). Chenille is even more expensive---so I can sympathize on the cost problems. I'm also concerned as to how the bear would hold up with the Homespun. I may try a lizard pattern I have for it first--takes less than a skein-- and give it to my son to "hug" test.

Flora

 

[princess heart]

There is a yarn called Homespun that is so soft and cuddly that I have gotten hooked on it for shawls. I have been kicking around the idea of making a bear with it. It would probably cost about $8 to make (I'm figuring 2 skeins at $4 per). Chenille is even more expensive---so I can sympathize on the cost problems. I'm also concerned as to how the bear would hold up with the Homespun. I may try a lizard pattern I have for it first--takes less than a skein-- and give it to my son to "hug" test.

Flora

the test thing is a good idea! I currently have three friends "testing" a bracelet with the 4th test piece partly done in my bag... I want to KNOW that they will not fall apart, or cause any unexpected problems before I put the time into make a pile of them to sell!

I think I know that yarn, I was thinking of getting a couple of skeins of something really soft to make a scarf for someone special-- will look for that brand!