Ears!

[timeforted]

Hi:6034: , I am quite new to bear making. I have only been making them for about 6-9 months. I have made a few from kits quite successfully. However, when I have made them from pattens, I have trouble getting the ears to look right. The end up a bit wonky, or one time a bit untidy. Does anyone have any advice or tips of a good way to attach ears that look neat and right!?!?! Thanks Michelle :)

[shebob bears]

Hi:6034: , I am quite new to bear making. I have only been making them for about 6-9 months. I have made a few from kits quite successfully. However, when I have made them from pattens, I have trouble getting the ears to look right. The end up a bit wonky, or one time a bit untidy. Does anyone have any advice or tips of a good way to attach ears that look neat and right!?!?! Thanks Michelle :)

Hi, I came up with the perfect solution to the ear problem although it met with a certain amount of controversy from those who are wizz kids at inserting ears. I posted the details together with a little diagram on the forum on 27th October 06 under the heading of 'What's your favourite aspect of bear making' but I haven't got a clue how to retrieve it. As soon as I work out how to get that page back, I will be in touch with you. Basically, the stitched ears are sewn into a slit made in the side head of the bear first, then continue with the remainder of the head. It really works for me.

Best wishes,
Sheila :6013:

[Jenny]

Hi Michelle..I do like to place the ears with pins first. I use a kind of 'v' shape so the ears appear cupped...so that means placing 3 pins either side when you pin the ears on. How I do it is that I visually work out the position..and given the fact that I am pretty sure if you measured my own ears they would not be identically placed eith side of my head, I go by this method rather than measuring/ formula because it's what makes the bear look best and being too accurate about these things , in my opinion, can lead to a pretty bland looking bear.

Once I have the ears pinned on I take another pin and as I take out the pin in the ear I insert a new pin in exactly the spot that the first pin came from ending up with just 3 pins in a 'v' shape either side of the head. I then ladder stitch the edges of the ear together and then sew on the ear to the head in the same place as marked by the pins.

I used to make a meal of doing ears and hated it ....but now I find it easier since doing it this way.


Hope that helps!!

[Geralye]

Yep, I use a similar method to Jenny, except that I don't stitch up the bottom of the ear. Instead I ladder stitch the inside (front) edge of the ear to the head, following the marker pins, then ladder stitch the outside (back) of the ear.

This allows me to slightly separate the front and the back of the ear, which sort of helps hold the pose, if you see what I mean.

Does this make any sense to anyone?

cheers,
G

[Jenny]

Yep..I did used to do it that way...but I changed when someone showed me the way I now use. I think they are both good ways!!

[timeforted]

Hi

Yep, that makes sense to me too. I am about to start a new bear so will let you all know how I get on. I meant to make a start yesterday but things just got in the way!!

Thanks to you all for your replies and help

Michelle :6041:

[Suzanne]

Hello, I have discovered this after having similar problems to you. Tacking on the ears before stuffing the head. I use a ruler to get a straight line accross the top of the head and mark where they will go with big bobble headed pins. I Stuff the head when the ears are tacked on and you will see if they are in the position you want and they can be removed to readjust or sewn on firmly. Experts may not like my way but it does work.
Good luck.
Sue.
:6013:

[Lorna Evett]

I do the same as Geralye with ears blanket stitch back and front, however, I used to try and pin the ears in place but the pins pop out, even the t-bar looking ones which are long, I must just have fat fingers which get in the way so I tend to do my ears free hand. I sew one ear in place once happy with its position, then I get my long dolly needle and push from teh top of one ear through to the other side of the head to position the place of the top of the other ear. It tends to work pretty well, except for the fact that my dolly needle is a bit bent now.

However, have never blanket stitched back and front together then sewn in place, will have a go at that. I might even have a go at tacking them in place before stuffing the head, all good ideas to have a go at.

I must admit I am not for the perfect finish bear and like the quirkiness a bit of uneven finish can give. It can give a very appealing finish. :6034:

[Judi Russell]

I use the pin method too, though I don't sew up the ear first. I pin the ears in place, use a curved needle and ladder stitch the back then the front seperately it gives a nice secure and neat finish. It is amazing how many different methods there are, nice to hear how other people do it and they all seem to work. :)