Sewing on the Ears

[Coraleen]

I am writing this more in frustration than anything else. :( It probably seems such a stupid subject for all you bearmaking boffins but I always struggle with the ears and sew them on and take them off at least four times before I am finally finished (and am not always totally happy). If anyone does have any tips on putting on the ears I would love to hear them but I suppose its just a case of practice, practice, practice. :6028:
Coraleen

[LisaAP]

Ahh, I wish I knew the answer to this one too. Sewing on ears is my least favourite job of all. It takes me at least 4 or five attempts to get them done and even then sometimes they are not quite right. I think that there must be an easier way to do it but I haven't yet worked out what it is. One time I marked out the position of the ears on the head but when the time came to sew the ears on they were in totally the wrong position, grrr!

I'll keep practicing I guess, lol!

Regards

Lisa

[Beartrande]

I'm definitely not an expert but have been using the method suggested to me.

This is to use pins to place the left, middle and right points of the ear on both sides. Then check they are level and in a mirror to give a perspective on the ears. Then follow the ears around the pins to keep the same position.

Look forward to more answers as to if there are any other, better methods out there to use.

[Rich1988]

Ggaaahh ears! Believe me you are not alone in this, me and Lisa had this conversation not so long ago.
I pin them, get them perfect, then sew them.... do they sew as pinned? Never! Haha.

My only tip is to sew the head well. Keep the gusset well lined and sew steadily as you can then use the gusset seams as a guide to line up each ear.
Always pin well into place, and use a mirror to check the balance of the ears.
I often stand in front of a mirror for 1/2hr at least each doing eyes and ears bringing the head up checking it then perhaps coming back in 5 minutes to see again.
Try to keep an even seam allowance around both ears too to avoid pulling one further into the head than the other (how I've done this before).

Finally, the worse answer but the truest, practise and experience. Just take your time, don't worry about leaving ears pinned on over night and coming back to take a 2nd look. At least with ears snip a few bits of ladder stitch, try again and no harm done. Frustrating but worth it, I often find the ears add that final bit of personality (and it's always my last job).

Richard
x

[kelly1205]

These are all fab answers so far. Some people like their bears to be perfect - the ears have to be a mirror image and have to be even. But for me, I don't mind if my ears are slightly out - for me, it gives my bears a bit of personality and echoes my personality. It isn't that I 'can't' do the ears perfectly - my first bears ears were perfect, I spent AGES on them lol! But with my last two bears, I liked the ears being a tad different.

Personal taste, not to everyones liking lol! As people have said, practice, practice, practice and the tip of pinning is what I use. I havent used the mirror trick before but it has been reccomended a lot so I will also use that too on my next bear :)

Good luck!
xxx

[Coraleen]

My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your tips and replies. Definately some food for thought but I feel so much better knowing I'm not alone with the perplexing ear problem. Your answers have also inspired me to just keep on practicing.
Hugs to you all
Coraleen
:6030:

[kelly1205]

Great, im so glad you picked up some tips :) Every bear maker has one or two sections of bear making that they HATE. For me, ears are ok, but I HATE putting in the footpads and despise stuffing the head. Practice makes perfect though, so lets keep going :)

Good luck, make sure we see piccies of the bears!
xxx

[Coraleen]

Hi Kelly
Thanks for your comments. I don't mind doing the footpads and I'm learning to sculpt the head instead of just stuffing it......but THE EARS, grrrrrrr.
Oh well, we'll just have to keep practising. I've attached a photo of a teddy I made for one of my grandaughters for Christmas.
Regards
Coraleen
:6041:

[Rich1988]

Aawww she's wonderful. Love that fur and that little cute face!
And those eats look perfect to me.
Well done, can't wait to see some more.

Richard
x

[michellebear]

Hi Coraleen, I usually pin them on where I think they look best, then try to sew them in the same place lol, they usually end up a little over to where I wanted them, lol. But the bit I find takes the time is getting the last ear to match the same as the first. This is when I use a mirror, and like Richard come back to it later to see if it looks ok.
I love your bear Coraleen, she has such a sweet little face, I bet your grandaughter was thrilled to get her for christmas :) xx

[Coraleen]

Hi Michelle

I also have a problem getting the second ear to match the first but I will definately use the mirror trick and see if that helps.

My granddaughter was thrilled with her teddy and kept showing it everyone who would look.

Coraleen
XX:6039:

[Coraleen]

Thanks very much, Richard