Designing patterns

[Chalkhills Collective]

Having been bitten by the bear making bug, I’d like to develop my own patterns, but have no idea where to start. Can anyone point me in the direction of books, courses (online or face to face)? :6044:

[shebob bears]

Hi Liz,
Try your local library first. You will be surprised at the selection that is available. A really good book is 'The art and craft of bear making' available from Christie Bears. Another really good resource book is 'Teddy bear art, how to design and make teddy bears'. This one is an absolute must for all bear makers.
The list is endless, Liz, and I am sure everyone else will come up with their own favourites.
Good luck with your bears, and we all look forward to seeing the finished bruins.
Best wishes,
Sheila:6013:

[Vicky Allum]

Hi Liz

I second Sheila, with "Teddy Bear Art, how to make and design Teddy Bears" by Jennifer Lang. Of all the books I have it's my favourite.

[Jenny]

Ted Mentens 'Teddy Bear Studio' is the top of the pops for me. Unlike some books he tells you how and why ( I always need to understand why!!!!LOL)and there are some neat tips too.

Nancy Tilbergs book is good on techniques..some things I couldn't follow in her book but that's just me being daft

[All Bear]

I just taught myself ... for that you need a pencil, paper, card and a BIG eraser!!

[Ruth]

Are the little chaps you have made your own patterns? If they aren't try to adapt the general shape of one of the patterns ie the basic shape and relation (this was how I started off) It's great fun to experiment with proportions,length of muzzle,size of ears etc...there'll be no stopping you soon!:D It might be a good idea to get hold of a more inexpensive fabric than mohair for your experimentation;some people buy old coats/cushions/curtains from charity shops.The best way to get the "feel" of how what you plan out alters the bear is to physically make them!!!Having said that I love books but I'm just soo impatient !:p Remember that if you build in extra width for the seam allowances on your pattern pieces you won't need to add them by cutting out larger.Next is the art of not wasting absolutely the teeniest bit of fabric (or is that just miserly me???:6019: :6086:
Good Luck,Ruth

[Laurie]

Your not the only one who doesn't like to waste mohair Ruth-I hate when I have cut out a pattern and there is some left but not enough to make another bear

[All Bear]

Oops, I'd be in serious trouble with you both! Making big bears isn't very material efficient I'm afraid! :p

[Chalkhills Collective]

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your help. I'm going to try adapting the patterns I've been using and have a go at making some from scratch. Thank goodness for Amazon as the books are on order. I’ll also go rummaging in the local charity shops for some old coats, I too hate wasting fabrics. I’m still cringing from throwing away the bits and pieces from my first Christie Bears kit – there was at least one mini-bear in there! :6022:

[davistedds]

I just get a pen, some card and chance my luck if I'm honest!! Sometimes I get some very odd things turn up, but most of the time it's fine - enjoy and have fun!! ;)

[Angela]

When I make a "proto-bear" I always use linen, as this is the cheapest way of finding out if the proportions are o.k. or not.
(sorry it the words/grammar is not quite right, but it is a long time ago since I spoke english - in actual fact approx. 20 years ago - so please be patient - I hope my "english" will return soon :D ).

[shebob bears]

Your English is extremely good. After twenty years it is quite amazing you can remember anything. Well done. And it is lovely to hear from you.

Sheila x:6086:

[Melanie Jayne]

I am with Paula and Clare on this I just put pencil to paper and went with it and I can not suggest any books either as I have never bought one.

I think it is down to trial and error no matter which way you go in designing a bear even if everything goes wrong is a great learning curve and you always learn somthing from the last bear you made, so I don't think there is a right or wrong way to approach it, just have fun and enjoy it.

Lots of love and good luck
MJ

[shelly]

I found it quite difficult to develop a rabbit as there aren't many basic patterns around to start from, so I had to do my own , no choice really ,it was just trial and error and just keep making improvements each time.
:6086:

[Jenny]

Having not been a 'seamstress' till my interests in bears happened I needed the help of books..I am a prolific reader and I scour the pages of countless books on every subject I am interested in...when I started I read every book I could lay my hands on!!!

It helped me to open up my eyes to look further into new concepts and ways of achieving things. I do think though that there are very few books that really give you 'direction' and for that you do need to look inside yourself and around you for inspiration. They are great for answering technique and how to questions.

Books I have loved haven't always been bear books..I love doll making books..and books on sculpture, embroidery..because they helped me to understand shape, form and how to create the contours specific to what I was making. They didn't give me 'the pattern' but the insight into how to achieve it.

When I made my rabbits and cats I knew that there were things specific to them that defined a cat as a cat..or a rabbit as a rabbit..or dog as as dog and so on by being different from a teddy and the trick it to find out what those specifics are and find a way to represent them in a soft sculpture....

I tend to collect big pictures of real animals...and take pictures too..and then often literally trace the shapes to start to build a pattern...

It's all part of the fun!!!