New to forum, need help with stuffing bear heads !!!

[CORNFLAKEGIRL]

;) HI EVERYONE, Im new to this forum, and seriously need some advice with stuffing bear heads. I have made a few bears of my own in the past, but nothing bothers me as much as getting the stuffing right. I know it needs to be very solid on artists bear heads, and i spend hours painstakingly trying to get this right, trouble is often i can,t seem to get the shape symmetrical, or half way through the stuffing starts trying to pop back out. I always pack the stuffing really tightly making sure there is no gaps, to the point i have been known to push the stuffing tool straight out of the bears head through the nose seam ! I Really could do with some help with this , as this part of the bear making process is driving me insane ! many thanks CORNFLAKEGIRL :6033:

[shebob bears]

Hi, and a warm welcome to the forum,

Don't despair, you are not the first person to poke the stuffing tool straight through the bear's head. I used to do that too!

I have found that if I place quite a large piece of stuffing into the head first, then this acts as a cushion and then you can add smaller pieces which will push up against original wad of stuffing which stops lumps from forming. Does that make any sense? :confused: Give it a try and see how you get on.

I have also found that it helps to look at you bear in a mirror as any uneaveness will show up immediately, especially when embroidering noses (how I dread doing noses!)

Good luck, and send us some pictures of your bears.

Sheila x

[CORNFLAKEGIRL]

THANK YOU was nt sure if anyone would reply to my post so i really appreciate that you took the time out to do so. Glad im not the only one thats jammed the stuffing tool out the nose. sometimes i think i get stressed with it and become over zealous. so i certainly will try your advice, placing a larger piece of stuffing in firstto act as a cushion, never thought of that, i shall let you know how i get on. i have tried the mirror thing as you suggested and it really does help show up the faults, quite strange that i could nt see it before ! anyway thanks once again. kindest regards CORNFLAKEGIRL X:6033: PS THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME !!!

[Ruth]

Hi there Cornflake Girl (sorry I don't know your real name :6086: )
Although I only make miniatures one of my thoughts on reading your post was are you entirely happy with the stuffing you're using ? There are different "lofts" to them ; some are "bouncier" and won't pack down as much as others - Judi might be able to advise on this . I am thinking about stuffing a lot as I am getting toward the end of the bags I've had for , well ages (decades !) it's taken so long to use it 'cause I only use weeny amounts :6086:
I know I will need to find something fairly silky , not coarse , and low lofting .

Not sure if this will have made any sense ?? Good Luck anyway :6013:

Mini Hugs , Ruth

[CORNFLAKEGIRL]

HI RUTH Thank youu for your reply, im not always sure what the best stuffing to use is , i have often used woodwool in the muzzle and general poly stuffing for the rest of the head, but i shall look into other types following your suggestion, any tips such as this are gratefully appreciated, as it really has driven me insane in the past to the point my bear making stuff has been locked away in a cupboard for about a year, as i just could not find out what i was doing wrong! :6013: thanks again, CORNFLAKEGIRL (Heather):)