Mini Making

[Rich1988]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm hoping you mini makers (ahem Ruth) can give me some tips.
I was generously donated a piece of Sassy Fabric earlier this year by Sue of Fenbeary (a fellow bear maker and a fab fab person!)

Anyway, it's the most gorgeous smoky grey colour and I really want to use it but I also want to make a really good job with it. However, as you all know I'm a bit of a big bear lover (not that it's all about size!) and have never (successfully) made anything smaller than around 15". So how do I go about making a mini and is there anything I need to consider/do differently?

I know it will be a case of hand sewing and as sassy has an obvious weave I'm hoping I should be able to keep the stitches smaller enough if I use this as a guide, but what about designing? Is there anything I need to bear in mind? Any special tools, joints, eyes or nose tips etc? Any tips for paw pad materials or paw pads in general? Is the head still generally 2 pieces and a gusset?

As you can see I'm clueless in this area of bear making so any tips or advice you can give me would be so so so appreciated.

Richard
x

[dutchy.bears]

I think it all depends on how small you want to go.. if you remember my little snowflake she had no head gusset, but others do have a head gusset. Ruth bears do have a head gusset if I looked properly, and the reLly tiny cute ones she made a few months ago didn't have footpads due to the tiny size. for pawpaws have a look at the site from sassybears she has thinner ultrasuede, is suppler, or you can use the normal stuff just depends on the size.
Thin needles also help don't make too large a hole in the fabric.
A pair of hemostats or tweezers are a great way of turning.
For designing the proportions are the same
I'll pm you a pattern I know you'll love

-xxx-
Annette

[Ruth]

Hi Richard :6034:
I've been away this weekend - sorry I didn't see your post sooner :)

As to design; I think quite a few people do use a slightly different proportion on their minis ... depends what kind of effect you want to go for.I do like my bears to be mistaken for much bigger ones in photos - but the actual proportions aren't the same eg. you need to be careful about the tops of arms on 3 inchers,
to keep them from being overwhelmingly "fat" or overstuffed looking. Also stuffing in the foot is an area for care; as they can look much too puffy. I personally like to keep heads fairly small, even on 3" and below. It's really hard to put in to words!! (I've never tried before!! :D )
If the fabric is a piece of "smokey" Sassy you may need to bear in mind that limbs can look very twigletty slim. I actually design my bears by drawing a profile and first checking I like the proportions, then making each piece a pattern ... not sure if big bears are done the same! I draw with the seam allowance included; as tiny as you dare (same with the stitches I'm afraid ;))

I find the best paw pad material is Ultrasuede; choose the "light" version for very best pliability in turning.

Most essential equipment is fine beading needles which will go through the fabric without disturbing it too much , thread to match the backing of the fabric, invisible thread for closing the seams, fine point tweezers (stuffing and turning....turn pieces slowly and beware jabbing the points through) cocktail sticks with the ends blunted (useful for poking in to turned pieces - although I often use a really thin make-up brush handle kept for the job!) "old" fine bent needles for pinning ears in place, and some really fine small bladed scissors for facial trimming.
Remember to take especial care when cutting round the nose part of the gusset pattern as pile trimmed away (in the action of cutting) can make a really noticeable uneven difference on the finished face.

One thing I personally can't stand is bouncy poly-fill; for me it needs to be low lofting so you can pack it in to those small spaces firmly, but not rock solid.You'd probably want 6mm discs and 1/2" cotter pins for 3 to 3.5" bears.
You could use fine silk thread or embroidery floss (my pref') for the noses. Again, I use the finest needles (nice straight ones out of the packet)Be sure the nose is firm inside or you can get a lot of dimpling where you're going back in at the nose point.
Oh yes; onyx bead eyes??? you'd want 2mm for a 3".... although they do vary between suppliers :)

Ummmmm , can't think what else at the moment :6086:

Trust you to bravely take yourself on another bear-making adventure! I'm sure you'll get on just fine! :6045:

Mini Hugs, Ruth

[Rich1988]

Crikey that's a lot to take on hehe but definitely helps a lot. And can see what you mean with design Ruth, that's exactly how I do my big ones too. Big picture with all limbs together then trace each limb off separately for the pattern piece.... if that makes sense?

And Annettee hehehe you know me so well. I absolutely love that mini bear. May use it for some inspiration.
OK. I think this may be a serious job for the weekend as opposed to an evening filler after all hehe. Will let you all know how I get on.... if at all :p

Richard
x

[Rich1988]

By the way Ruth, did you have a good weekend away? Did you go anywhere nice?

As for the little bear, design is done. If it works out as per the profile I'll be a very happy.... well bear hehe!
He's going to be about 3.4 - 4 inches I think. He might end up 5 but to say im used to 23 that's not bad haha!
Anyway, couple more questions....

1. What size embroidery floss do you use for the noses? I think my current one may be a little too thick?
2. Where do you buy the mini joints?
3. Where do you buy invisible thread for closing?

Ok I think that's everything for now... at least until I start making!
Thanks again for all the help.

Richard
x

[Ruth]

Hi Richard,

I was just at my parents' house (3 hour drive though!) But I have now booked our weekend away for the BBAAs :6038: We'll be staying at a good ol' Premier Inn in Crawley ... which keeps costs down when there's 3 of you!!!

Right - the embroidery floss is the usual DMC / Anchor ; usually found in cross stitch areas of craft shops - one strand at a time.

I get my mini cotter pins and fibre board discs from Sassy Fabrics , but I also have a (dwindling) stash from years ago which I prefer. I only mention this because April Yelland of Pipaluck Bears is about to launch a mini-supplies online business which could prove to be very useful as I feel there has been a gap in the market place since Dinky-Do folded. I'll pass on any info' when I can :6016:

You should be able to get invisible thread from Hobbycraft or craft shops, but funnily enough it's often available on those sewing stands at the end of supermarket aisles!

I also thought about needle-nosed pliers for turning the cotter pins ; you'll want quite small ones for that too.

Can't wait to see pics!?! :)
:6043: Ruth

[dutchy.bears]

exciting, another place to find mini bear making supplies. please keep us posted

-xxx-
Annette

[Rich1988]

Thanks Ruth you're a star!!
And good job you reminded me about Brighton, I completely forgot about booking hotels. I'm hoping to stay out of Brighton too however young I may be I still need a good nights sleep haha! Plus I'm told parking in Brighton is a mare!! Will have a look on Sat me thinks.

Richard
x

[Rich1988]

Another Question.... (Will he ever stop!? haha)

Do I Fray Check minis/Sassy?

Richard
x

[Ruth]

No, you absolutely won't need to ..... I expect you'll be surprised at how well the fabrics keep their "integrity" ;)

Ask as many Q's as you like Richard! :6039:
Enjoy your sewing weekend,

Ruth xx

[Moosick]

As for the BBAA I'm 'hoping' to go, still working my charms on bf! We won't be staying over though, it's about 90 miles apparently. And we'll be bringing Alex if we do come, I'm hoping and so is she as she's already hinted she wants a bear! :rolleyes: think I'm gonna need to remind her about what a budget is!

I can't wait to see what you come out with Rich, I've bought joints from christies and mohair supplies for my minis I believe, it depends where I'm placing my order at the time!
And now the weekend is over, how did you get on?

[Rich1988]

Gosh you mini makers!! How do you do it? Started sewing at last this weekend and god do my eyes hate me hehe! Have to admit I'm thoroughly enjoiyng it and seeing these little pieces can't wait to put it all together.
Joints ordered and I already have the eyes so as soon as they're ready I'll show you all. (although at my pace and with another 23 incher on the go give me a month haha!)

Richard
x

[teddy parlour]

Hi rich can,t wait to see your mini , when you have it finished let me know how you got on if there are any tips for making life easier etc as like you i,ve never made a small bear i,ve been reading ruths tips which is a great help of what to use . i,m going to try a pattern to start with and see how i get on i want to make one of monica spicers pin cushions they are so cute but not sure if i can sew any thing so small a strain on the eyes i bet . still let me know how you get on and if you have any tips before i start that would be great .

lorraine x