New Membear!

[Kazbears]

Hi
My name is Karen and I have just started bear making.
I did have a go at miniature bears some years ago but have decided on a slightly larger one to start with this time. I have already cut out `Wilf` (from Bear Basics) and he is ready to go! Oh, and I have already ordered two more patterns :eek:
You all have really great bears on here so I am looking forward to seeing some more and hopefully adding my own one day.

[baildon bears]

Welcome to the forum Karen happy sewing and I look forward to seeing the results. Hannah

[Moosick]

Hi Karen!
The first pattern I eyed up but unfortunately didn't buy was Wilf!! Hehe You haven't even made your first non-mini bear and you're already ordering more patterns! Bitten by the bear bug already heh.
What happened with your miniature bears from your first attempt before? I've tried miniature bears but they never seem to work out right.
Can't wait to see your finished Wilf, will you be renaming him?
I keep saying I'll rename my bears, but they always end up with the same name of the pattern or nameless :o

[Ruth]

Hi there Karen , welcome on board :6034: It's so great to have lots of new members! :6045:

Mini Hugs , Ruth

[Kazbears]

Thanks everyone.
My mini bears were ok but very fiddly. I may change Wilfs name but now I know him as Wilf it may stick!!
Yep, definately got the bug now!!!

[Rich1988]

Hi Karen

Welcome from me too. Wilf is a lovely looking bear, can't wait to see the results. Would love to see some of your earlier mini's if you care to share? I have some Sassy now but am so nervous about doing a smaller one, I think I may have 'man's hands' which will make it impossible to finish :p
Anyway your in the right place, everyone here is obsessed with bears so hop right in.

Richard
x

[dutchy.bears]

Welcome from me too, I cant wait to see wilf, my first bears where also small, I'd love to see some of your first bears

-xxx-
Annette

[lehua768]

lcome from me too. Wilf is a lovely looking bear, can't wait to see the results. Would love to see some of your earlier mini's if you care to share? I have some Sassy now but am so nervous about doing a smaller one, I think I may have 'man's hands' which will make it impossible to finish Anyway your in the right place, everyone here is obsessed with bears so hop right in.The first pattern I eyed up but unfortunately didn't buy was Wilf!! Hehe You haven't even made your first non-mini bear and you're already ordering more patterns! Bitten by the bear bug already heh.What happened with your miniature bears from your first attempt before? I've tried miniature bears but they never seem to work out right.

[teddy parlour]

Hi Karen goodness there are so many posts at the moment i nearly missed you , well welcome from me as well and i,m looking forward to meeting wilf and i,m sure if you get stuck there is always some one around to help . happy bear making :6086:

lorraine x

[MrKodiak]

http://i49.tinypic.com/9ztts0.jpg

[Kazbears]

Wilf is finally finished and doesn`t look anything like the picture lol! I will post a picture on here as soon as I can.

[Moosick]

My first bear looked nothing like the original pattern either, but even since then, I've made a few bears all from one pattern, and each bear looks different to the previous one.
I can't wait to see his picture.
Did you enjoy making him?? That is what matters.

[Kazbears]

Here is Wilf!
I did enjoy making him Moo and have already started on another bear. I can see a few problems with him, one being the joints are too loose, but apart from that I am pleased he turned out okay especially as he is my first cotter pin bear.

[shebob bears]

Wilf is sooooo sweet.:6085: How big is he? I use the same pattern (well, almost the same!) for every bear, but they all turn out totally different. They definitely design themselves, And who am I to argue with a partly sewn bear :D :6044:
Happy bear making,
Sheila

[Rich1988]

Aaawww Wilfs brilliant for a first bear.
I'm with Shelia, every bear just turns out as they want. You just can't control it hehe. And the little things you'll find will improve with every bears. You should be really happy :D

Richard
x

[Kazbears]

Thankyou for your comments. He is 5" high and yes, I am happy with him. I have just enough mohair left to do a slightly smaller version - maybe `son of Wilf` will be next lol

[teddy parlour]

Hi Karen:6086:wilf is lovely and sweet , i havn,t seen the pattern for wilf ,but i think it,s good he doesn,t look the same ,as you have made it your own little character. Looking forward to seeing wilf junior .

lorraine x

[Moosick]

I agree, he's lovely! Much better than my first attempt that's for sure. Lovely little nose too :)
Cotter pins do tend to be loose I believe? in your next bear you could always try bolted limbs for a more snug grip?

[shebob bears]

Yes, I'm with Mandy on this one. Nut and bolt joints are a real pleasure to work with.:D And you can can get the precise amount of firmnes as you want on every joint too.
If you need any help on nut/bolt joints Karen, then just ask away. We are all here ready to help a 'bear in distress'.

Happy bear making,
Sheila

[Kazbears]

Thankyou, I will give that a go!

[dutchy.bears]

He's cute, great job for your first bear.:6086:
I think I'm going crazy... I'm sure I already wrote a post :confused:
So are you planning on making more bears????

-xxx-
Annette

[Kazbears]

Definately! The next bear is already on the go - a 4" pink mohair bear for my 5 year old daughter. She has chosen the materials and nose thread (all pink) and all parts are cut and mostly sewn. Just having trouble turning the arms out as the wrist is too narrow and I had to do one again, but hopefully it won`t be long until she appears.
I have also bought a couple of different mohairs although I have no idea what I am going to do with them...........yet!

[Moosick]

tell me about the turning! My current bear is in a long pile faux fur and it just gets soooo bulky in the arms. When sewing the seams, I try to rub the fur the wrong way so it's already facing the right direction for turning.. if that makes sense. I also use an old wooden spoon to help turn it - both my pairs of tweezers have gone for a walk :rolleyes:

Good luck with your daughters bear, is she going to name it? Kids are so great at choosing names! Can't wait to see it :)

[dutchy.bears]

One tip when turning and it doesn't want too... be patient and if you start getting really annoyed put it down and com back the next day. Forcing it to turn while getting frustrated will sadly damage the mohair :(
But good luck can't wait to see the finished bear. I have heaps of short pile furs for mini bears no idea what I'm going to do with them yet and the worse bit is I keep on buying :rolleyes:
-xxx-
Annette

[Moosick]

ok who stole my wooden spoon?? It was here last night and now it's vanished! I just watched a horror movie while sewing up my bears head :eek: Grudge 3! Normally I don't mind watching horrors at night, but some I just can't do :o I'm wondering if the curse stole my wooden spoon :mad:
Annette I know that feeling too well! I bought was it three or four pieces of sassy - I forget now, and I haven't used it yet, but on saturday I bought some more mini bear fur and a book, just waiting impatiently for it to arrive. :o Thankfully I have limited funds so I can't keep on buying and buying otherwise there would be no room in my bedroom for me :rolleyes:

[Artemis bears]

Buying mohair is definitely an addiction! For turning and stuffing I use the knobbly end of a knitting needle itworks really well. Just as well I cAn't knit tho it is now a bit bent.

Andrea xx

[dutchy.bears]

My mum uses knitting needles to test if cakes are done, hadn't thought of using them to turn bears inside out, have used a chopstick and a pair of hemostats.

-xxx-
Annette

[Moosick]

I'd end up stabbing myself if I used knitting needles to turn my bears lol Oooh I've just spotted my wooden spoon! :D