Head Placement

[hardscrabble]

Hello
I am new to this site and bearmaking. Of the few bears that I have made, I am somewhat disappointed in the head placement. The patterns I have indicate where to place arms & legs but not the head. I have placed some too far forward (so head on chest) and some too far back (see to be facing sky). I put the post for the head in the center of the head which seems right; then I set the head on the body to get idea of where it should be but don't seem to end up that way. :(

[Rich1988]

Hi There

No real tips on this one I'm afraid. Most patterns tend to show where the head should be placed (if indeed the body isn't simply gathered) so you might want to double check your patterns for markings.

Other than this try putting the side head profile pattern piece on top of the body piece where you want it. Mark the middle of where the head falls on the body pattern and this would work out right.

Heads for me have just always, generally, fallen in the right place, even on my own patterns my adhoc placement has worked brilliantly, I know that's no help to you but maybe with a bit more practise your eye will pick up placement?

Anyone else have key tips on this?

Richard
x

[baildon bears]

Hi and welcome to the forum, I must admit when I started bear making this is something I struggled with, I place mine now on the centre seam just slightly forward. I was making a bear today and one of the things that has always confused me is which way does the cotter disk go up the ruff or smooth side and does it matter which way round it goes?:o may be someone could tell me.
Hannah

[Vanessa]

Hi Hannah. The rough side of the disc goes to the mohair. It helps it to grip:D

Hope that helps.

Vanessa.


www.brillbears.co.uk

[Rich1988]

Hannah, I've always placed the smooth sides together assuming it would make for a smoother joint but I recently watched a DVD produced by TBT and therein they said that you should put the rough sides to the fabric to get a good grip.

Richard
x

[baildon bears]

Thanks I have been doing it right afterall. When everyone is talking about neck gathering, I don't have a neck gathering on any of my patterns, I tend to draw my body with a slight hump at back so head just sits in front of it. Hannah