Well here's my newest bear

[Jenny]

I am thoroughly enjoying doing baby faces again after a fair few 'grown-ups' this poor soul is going on eBay later. His name is Sweet-heart!

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[Ruth]

What a lovely dense pile to the fur(is it a synthetic ?),very cuddlesome little cutie.Ahhh!:6043:
Ruth

[Jenny]

Yep Ruth..it's synthetic...and fantastic synthetic it is too. I just wish we could get it here in the UK...I have to send abroad for it..even though it's French I have to buy it in the USA.....annoying!!!

[Laurie]

He is lovely Jenny-he definately is a little sweetheart.

[All Bear]

Gorgeous Jenny! What a cutie! The synthetic fabric works so well for your facial style ... well worth the effort of ordering in from the US! (I love the Tissavel ... isn't it beautiful to work with?!)

[shelly]

Lovely bear Jenny. I haven't used a synthectic fur yet but I think it may work well on my rabbits. I will have to invest in some!


:6086:

[Jenny]

Shelly...just get some..you'll love it!! Without a doubt Tissavel is the dogs do-dahs but there are others. Tyber is supposed to be even better but I can't get it here at all...or on line. I do get some from Germany!!
I just wish we could by it here!!!

You do need woven though...not knitted!

[All Bear]

Mmmn, you've just reminded me I have half a yard of some beautiful Tissavel fur in my stash ... might have to dig it out in the very near future!

[Vicky Allum]

What a beautiful, dear little bear Jenny

[yvonne]

Beautiful, beautiful bear Jenny....I love the density of the fur, never used
synthetic, but this looks so gorgeous...does it stretch, and do you have to line it? I have such a problem getting that thickness I need to carve into
....so this maybe the answer. :)

[Jenny]

Yvonne...no it doesn't budge a millimeter...because it's woven...if anything it's even tighter woven than mohair...since it's backing is really strong. I sent for their sample kit...it makes choosing easier. A lady in the UK does odd bits of Tissavel...but I end up going to Prefurs because they have everything. The only downside is that you get whacked for import duty every time...that said, I just add it to my prices..and we're getting good value at the moment buying from the US..so it's worth it to get the wonderful fabric.

We need some good synthetics to be available here..I did start getting some from ..I think they're call something like 'Der Baerenstubchen' in Germany..and their stuff is nice but too teddy-ish for me if that makes sense..I like it to look 'real'...and Tissavel looks..and feels ..like the real thing!!

I even approached a Belgian (TYBER) company about buying a lot of it from them but I didn't need the 16 metres I had to buy which is too an big investment for little old me!!!

[All Bear]

I've been buying from Prefur for years (they used to be 'Fab Furs') and they offer a great service and beautiful faux fur. As Jenny says, the exchange rates work favourably, even if it is a pain getting clobbered for import duty. Initially I wondered if collectors would understand why synthetic fur fabric bears were priced the same as some mohair bears, but once they touched the fabric, the questions vanished! It is so soft and dense. Working with it can be tricky as the fluff is very sneeze making and clings to everything! It helps to use a foot attachment on the sewing machine to work with the density of these fabrics ... my Pfaff has a built in foot with a bit that presses the fabrics down to feed them through easily. It works a treat.

The other thing I've found with working with faux fur, is that it's often best to design a pattern especially for use with that specific fur. Because it's so dense, it can have a tendency to throw standard mohair teddy proportions out ... ie., heads become too big for bodies etc.

[yvonne]

Jenny.....I have been on Prefur's site, it looks really good....but yes got a shock when everything totalled up!! But as you say just have to pass the cost on. I'm definately going to try some...so thanks for the information!

Paula...I know what you mean about having to design a pattern specifically for a really thick fabric....I've been caught a few times like that...so now with the type of bears I make..I only ever cut the head out first, and then work around it.....Not sure about the sneezy bit..hate that when it goes all static,
but sound as though the end result is well worth it!!

Anyway thanks girls for all the info! :)

(Oooh... and by the way just got a late invite to Hugglets (Feb) so see you both there!!!)

[Chowlea Bears]

Isn't this a little stunner.....................
Oh how I wish he were mine..................:6022:

[Melanie Jayne]

Fantastic, Beautiful and Perfect:6013: :6013: :6013: