The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: Zoundz on May 27, 2013, 01:56:55 PM

Title: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Zoundz on May 27, 2013, 01:56:55 PM: OK - so I've just started making bears, and I'm hooked! :D this is a bit of a long thread because I have three bears to show :) they're my first attempts, and all in felt because it's all I can afford at the moment, I yearn to work with fur, but unfortunately, not an option right now, so I'm practising in felt! :)

First bear is Elliot - he's also the smallest (not that I've measured the size of any of them!)
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Second bear is Phoebe - I am least pleased with her, everything seemed to go wrong!
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Last bear - and the one I like most - is Albert. Finished him this morning, and I'mreally pleased with him! He is jointed with snap fasteners :)
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And here's all three together!
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Does anyone else make bears? :D any advice? :)

xx
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Rosencrantz on May 27, 2013, 02:23:21 PM: Those are super cute!

My friend makes bears, and general stuffed toys, but I don't. Love what she makes though
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Sugar on May 27, 2013, 05:13:41 PM: Those are super adorable! I think Phoebe's my favourite - I always do stick up for the underdog. Or underbear, in this case. ^.^

Way back when (like eighties high-school years), I dabbled with making calico beanbag stuffies. (I still do cotton stuffies from time to time, like when my son wants a stuffie of some character that isn't widely available. Most recently, I made him a Giaru from Pokémon B&W, but just out of an old tee-shirt and fabric markers.) You are quite entirely right, though, it's thoroughly addictive. And loads of fun - please keep us posted on your creations, they're wonderful! :cheer:
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: kaoskat on May 27, 2013, 08:34:48 PM: Awwww! I like Phoebe best!!! Great job!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Cadence on May 27, 2013, 09:25:03 PM: Wow, great job! I love Phoebe's colours. And Albert's eyes are so cute! ^.^
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: himmie on May 27, 2013, 10:18:04 PM: So adorable! I have been dying to make a plush but have not pursued it.

I want Elliot! :biggrin:
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: kiwimlp on May 27, 2013, 11:36:48 PM: I like Elliot best but all of them look fab. Great work :D
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: CupcakeLoverXx on May 28, 2013, 03:02:43 AM: Love them! You may not like her but Phoebe is my favourite,her colours look really cute too :)
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Zoundz on May 28, 2013, 03:12:08 AM: Thanks guys! The encouragement helps! :D Since posting these I've had someone ask for a commission, and a couple of people ask if I sell them! A bit premature, I've only made 3, and I'm my own worst critic - but I am happy to have a go - certainly going to do the commission! :)

Elliot is very special, he oversees everything ;) because he's the first I guess. He came on a trip to the UK with us a short while ago, and had his photo taken rather a lot! :D

xx
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: melodys_angel on May 28, 2013, 09:51:04 AM: Aww, they are awesome together :D Look great for your first attempts :D
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Phar on May 29, 2013, 02:42:45 PM: Awesome stuff! Bear making is how I got into plush making! I used to make bears with my granny... Or rather, I used to embroider the noses on the bears she would make and dress them in whatever clothing I could muster our of yarn and tea towel scraps. : )

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(http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonsquared/5771174314/)
Blue snokitty Dragon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonsquared/5771174314/) by DragonSquared Studio (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonsquared/), on Flickr

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(http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonsquared/7007988193/)
Reindeer - Delux Plush Doll (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonsquared/7007988193/) by DragonSquared Studio (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonsquared/), on Flickr

Now I make bear-patterned other animals! Once you've got the basics of good snuggle buddy construction it's easy to make a menagerie of different species. And addictive!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Chinabun on May 29, 2013, 02:46:47 PM: Oh my, these are so cute!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Zoundz on May 29, 2013, 06:09:48 PM: Oh wow! Phar - these are amazing - especially that reindeer - just awesome! :D I am so impressed!

Really hope one day I'll get good enough to be able to do things that good!

xx
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Ginger on May 29, 2013, 06:33:11 PM: Awwww!! They are ADORABLE!! Great job!!

I started making Teddy Bears when I was 9, my aunt taught me how to do joints and work with the fur. It's been a while since I made one so I don't have any pictures-I need to take some!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Beth3346 on May 29, 2013, 06:44:17 PM: These are so adorable :lovey:

I love stuffed animals. They're little faces are so sweet :)

Phar, i love that blue dragon
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Dludnerad on May 31, 2013, 07:40:55 AM: Your bears are adorable!
I've been making bears and plush toys since I was five, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask :)
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: LunaDehligt on May 31, 2013, 07:42:12 AM: So cute :D
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Jinxxy on May 31, 2013, 08:42:46 AM: Oh man! Those are TOO CUTE!!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: ashes on May 31, 2013, 10:57:25 AM: One of my mother's friend had a business for years making teddy bears. If you do a Google image search under "Tucker Teddies," the first one up (a white bear) is hers.

I don't think she makes them anymore. At least for business purposes. She might make one for friends (or probably longtime clients).
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: pinkkittywinks on May 31, 2013, 11:35:30 AM: those bears are adorable :)

love pkw xxx
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Zoundz on May 31, 2013, 03:38:24 PM: Thanks all - anyone else who does this, how do you go about designing your own pattern? :)

xx
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Dludnerad on June 01, 2013, 09:46:45 AM: I use paper a lot in the design process. It's a lot of trial and error and sticky-tape.

This is what FLuttershy looked like before she became fabric.

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The paper model is taken apart after being labeled very carefully, and becomes the pattern. It's different from papercraft models.

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Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Eviecorn on June 03, 2013, 05:11:45 AM: I don't know how I missed this thread. Those bears are adorable!
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: Jemgirl on June 03, 2013, 09:56:20 PM: Your hand made bears look amazing! You should be so proud of them. I've made a bear through a class some years back and I have some ideas for some animals I'd like to make. I also plan to make another bear sometime soon with moveable arms and legs, as my Mum bought me some lovely bear fabric for one to make. Thanks for sharing such inspirational bears, they are lovely :)
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: tornadoe on June 04, 2013, 02:04:09 AM: I am trying to make a badger but in the style of bear factory and I have no idea where to start
Title: Re: Hand made bears... anyone else do this? :)
Post by: fingerpaints on June 04, 2013, 03:04:46 AM: Those are some awesome first attempts :D all three are very cute. Felt is actually quiet hard to work with for stuffed toys as it likes to stretch, working with fur or other material that has less give is much easier. I do work with felt for small creatures and finger puppets from time to time, or to add details to larger plush and puppets.

Best advice I can give is keep practicing! You are doing well, and with time you will get more comfortable making plush toys.

I've made a menagerie of stuffed toys and puppets, and now just start with a rough idea in my head, no pattern and just start cutting and sewing. Its heaps of fun, and so rewarding to do. I generally make things for gifts, and all receivers of said gifts just adore the fact that it's a one off piece designed just for them :)