Glass beads for weight

[SalmonofDoom]

Just a quick question as I'm totally new to using anything other than normal stuffing for bears and could use sopme pointers.

When you're using glass beads/steel shot to weight your bears, do you just pour it in so it can move around freely or do you sew it into a little pouch to keep it in one place?

thanks

[Rich1988]

I think eithers fine. In my earlier bears I just poured it in but of course then the risk is if it gets the teeniest hole you get small beads everywhere.
I read somewhere of someone putting it into an old tight tying that off and then popping that into the bear before finishing off the stuffing with polyester... so this is what I'm going to try on the bear I'm working at the minute.
Hope they don't look at me funny when I go to buy tights

Richard
x

[Judi Russell]

Tights are just great for all sorts of things and using them for glass beads is one of them. Just don't ask for Black ones or stockings Rich!! The other thing you can do is to cut a leg pattern out of cotton, well the foot bit anyway, fill that with beads or shot and it will be a perfect fit for the limb.

[shebob bears]

Originally Posted by Rich1988

Hope they don't look at me funny when I go to buy tights
Richard
x

Don't worry Rich, just do what I do. Ask a relative to save all her 'not fit to wear anymore' tights (washed) and believe me they soon mount up! I now have two carrier bags packed to capacity with tights.

Cheers,
Sheila

[SalmonofDoom]

Rich - I'm sure they won't! although asking for tights from family members is a good idea too!

Guys I tried the tights method and it's worked an absolute treat, I'm working on a new bear and adding the weight has made such a difference, although unfortunately the fur quality is less that desirable so I'm glad I have 'beanbags' inside my bear, otherwise there'd be glass beads everywhere now!