Repairing stuffed animals and dolls

Every now and then I get asked to repair a stuffed animal that a maybe dog has got hold of, or is older and needs parts replaced that have been lost due to time and much loving.

Sometimes this is easy and I can just replace those parts as I have what I need on hand. Other times I have to hunt for replacement bits or furs.

My latest repair is a beautiful timber wolf that got himself into trouble when the puppy thought he was a chew toy. His nose has been ripped on both sides but thankfully the muzzle is still attached and the nose is not missing. The puppy also did not get the eyes out. The first thing I did was to get a stuffed animal cleaner spray such as the one that Build a Bear sells. I spray that on liberally and wipe it off with a paper towel. I do this several times being careful not to rip the muzzle even more. Once it is clean it is easier to sew. I try to get the closest thread color match to the fabric I can get in a strong thread such as an upholstery thread. Starting on one side of the muzzle, using ladder stitch in very small stitches I sew from one side of the rip to the other. Pull it tight very carefully and secure the tread. Now I can carefully brush fur out of the seam and check that the rip is now invisible.

 

Muzzle rip before repair

Muzzle repaired and rip not visible

Another part of the poor wolf missing in action were his ears. They were almost chewed off. To be able to repair them I had to cut off what was left of them. Trim slowly and carefully. As the ears are sewn to the inside of the head on this kind of stuffed animal you cannot really remove them completely. Cut the ear  down as close as you can to the head and be careful not to cut the fur on either side.

Ears trimmed down to the head ready to sew new ears on

Ears trimmed right down

Of course I had to make new ears. Try to find fabric that matches (as close as you can) in color and in fur length (the pile) and type of fabric. I used polyester faux fur in a length and finish called Beaver here. I used what I had trimmed off of the ears to help make a pattern. Good old geometry as I had the base of the triangle and an idea of how high they needed to be. Trace the ear pattern onto  the fur fabric on the back of the fabric. Carefully cut them out- cut the backing only and not the fur- small scissors are essential! Tuck the fur into the ear as you pin the parts together. The young lady who owns the wolf asked for black ears on the back. Sew the parts, turn right side out and make sure they are turned all the way. Sometimes if there is a tip of an ear that part of the ear has to have the seam trimmed down as close as you can get to the stitching. If you are worried about the fabric holding up to wear you can fray check the tip.

Once turned the ears can now be sewn onto the head. I use ladder stitch to attach them. I start on one side (the base of the ear is easier for me) and ladder stitch that color to the front of the trimmed ear that is left. I then stitch the back (black in this case) of the ear again with ladder stitch, and make sure it covers what is left of the original ear. In other words the trimmed ear has now been covered with the new ear and no part of it can be see or felt : )

Ladder stitching front of ear into place first

Once both ears are in place I make sure no fur is stuck under my stitching. I brush the animal and get ready to send him home to a happy young lady!

Ears in place and face brushed

Front of face

Book Review: Stuffed Animals From Concept to Construction

I often buy books. I love books. If they cover a subject I am interested in or relate to making soft creatures or bears then I probably have it. Somewhere.

Many times I end up buying a book and placing it in a spot to read later when things calm down. I always plan to take time out during the day at some point to read them. And they sit there. I finally decided that I was going to have to read one: Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction.
The Author: Abigail Patner Glassenberg has long been a favorite read of mine from her ebooks, other published sewing books and especially her blog (http://whileshenaps.com/). This is one I regularly read.

Ms Glassenberg covers many aspects on her blog about making, selling, marketing and even blogging about stuffed animal creation. She is truly 'in the know' on many subjects and I often find out more from her blog about the Etsy community happenings than I do on Etsy : ) She keeps her blog relevant and fresh. So why did it take so long to pick up this book?

http://www.amazon.com/Stuffed-Animals-From-Concept-Construction/dp/1454703644/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

I suppose at first glance I was not sure I would learn anything new. Boy was I wrong! What wonderful lessons! Suddenly I am inspired to make a whole line of stuffies again. I end up selling them as patterns more than a finished item but in this book is a whole myriad of ways to create, assemble and finish the stuffed animals that I never thought of. If you are thinking of or starting to make stuffies then this is a great read. Well written, easy to understand and the projects are ones I can actually see myself making. The photos are clear, easy to grasp what they are teaching/showing and to me, plentiful.

Lesson 3 on button and felt eyes gave me ideas for some sea creatures and monsters I want to make. I already use the gathered circle eyes in some of my project monsters but was always uncertain on how to attach them to keep them a ball and securely in place. Each step of the design and making process in the book makes me feel like "I can do this!"

Projects in the book include a fish, elephant, bee, ram, bunny, puppy, lion, cat, camel, monster, crab, teddy bear, kangaroo, monkey, hippo and a dinosaur. Each one introduces new skills.  From beginning to end of each project, and the book, very relevant skills are taught, such as making a ball shape out of fleece, darts to set legs to help a stuffy stand, sewing and turning skinny shapes, fabric chioces, jointing bears.

I am really enjoying this book and the inspiration it has given me.

Thank you Ms Glassenberg for another treasure in my collection. And a book that actually is exactly what the title says it is!

Quinlan Art Doll and Teddy Bear Show and Convention

Back to  normal life with a bump! I have just been to the amazing Convention put on by the Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum in Philadelphia. What an experience. For all that was happening and going on for the days I was there, was very smooth and well run. I got to meet artists from all over the world who either make bears or art dolls, and of course the collectors. An amazing mix of very interesting people. And days jam packed with things to learn!

I did not know what to expect as this was my first time to anything like this. I was blown away by the very high quality of the work, the amazing artists and the huge range of styles and art! I got to meet many of my favorite artists who I had only read about and it was marvelous to see them in person and chat.

One of my favorite booths was a Katie Rae Bears. She has a smile as gorgeous as her bears and I just love the way that all look so happy. I smile back each time I see one : ) By the time I got there they were all sold out. These are some of the few bears available with fully needle felted faces and I love the colors she uses! I am saving up for next time and WILL be first in line.  http://www.katieraebears.co.uk/katieraebears.co.uk/Welcome.html

Katie Rae Bears

Katie Rae bears

I got to meet and do a class with Michelle Lamb of One and Only Bears, met Tammi Everslage and admired her bear "Icarus", spoke to Joanne Livingston of Desert Mountain Bears, Cindy Malchoff, Donna Nielsen, Mary Beckner Houseman,Sue VanNattan, Amy Yascavage and so many more my brain boggles. All super friendly and generous with their time and advice. I even found artists from Texas I could connect with: Pam Lott, Adriana Esqueda and Julieanne Pitts who has a bear museum in Granbury, TX!!

Michelle Lamb- One and Only Bears

As you can see my photography leaves much to be desired : ) Go here to see the marvelousess of Michelle's work : http://www.oneandonlybears.com/

Michelle Lamb- One and Only Bears

I was amazed at how friendly all the attendees were. I got to talk to some great artists and they were happy to share experiences, talk techniques and ideas. I was hesitant at first as you never know if someone will be friendly or not and I have in the past experienced artists not being willing to talk about how they do things. I did not find that to be the case here at all. I was still nervous showing my work to anyone, but the critiques I got are invaluable to me as I now have a small inkling where I want to head with my bears. I am loving the felting of the faces and I got to ask about types of wool that work, finishing techniques and coloring as well as to touch bears to feel softness of fur, weight, stuffing levels. All the things that combine to make an artist bear that we do not always think to ask. One big thing: experiment. Do not be scared to fail as failure is not trying and experimenting. Also think out of the box for materials to use- like dress elastic to help make an eyelid! Who knew, right?

Icarus from Tami Evesalge

Tami's blog is wonderful: http://www.tamieveslage.com/

I also got to attend groups where artists spoke about topics that are current and valid for us as bear and doll artists such as internet selling and promotion. I really enjoyed my session listening to Tyler Crain-Davis on finishing techniques for bears and sure hope he will do a workshop on it next year.

I bought the most gorgeous fabric from Donna Mettling. She has everything or knows where to find it!

Deborah Pope spoke to me about her dolls and needle felting. She gave me some great tips on wools to use and where to find them and how to work with them. Such a gracious lady with just an amazing husband who was there to support her. http://deborahcpope.typepad.com/

The convention went by very fast with something happening from 6:30 am to 9 pm at night. Non stop doll and bear awesomeness. I am sure looking forward to going next year and hope to have some bears up for sale!!

Thanks to all the wonderful and encouraging artists and collectors I met this year. See you next year!!

Studio time

I finally got some great time in the studio. It has been hectic with school projects that took over my space for a bit. Since they are large it is hard to have them anywhere else in the house! I also have managed to finish a painting for my Husband's birthday, so there has been no shortage of things going on.

My studio looks a huge mess but some good things are being planned and finished. This was my cutting table on Sunday...at least 5 projects on the go.

I have finally finished that badger that is sitting there. I decided he needed to be a Fisherman Badger in a yellow jacket with a So'wester hat on his head and a fish in his pocket. He has been made from that gorgeous chinchilla Tissavel fur in grey, with deep green poly carbonate eyes, needle felted nose and needle felted face details.

He will be listed on Etsy today.

Another big project that has literally taken me a year to finish is my Polar Bear Queen. In one of my first blogs you can see how I started to felt her face. I finally finished. I changed my mind so many times on this one. Finally I let her decide her features and I am happy with the result! I fashioned a simple crown for her out of aluminum and crystal, she has long glitter tipped eyelashes, polymer clay nose and glass eyes. Her paw pads are also felted with corriedale wool. I hope to list her on Etsy soon!

Farewell to 2014

The end of last year was super busy for me! So many awesome things such as new contacts made and bears sold. Even a wonderful challenge to start my new year. I have never made a Red Panda and the challenge from a really awesome seller on Etsy has made the start of my year wonderful, interesting and is changing the whole direction I was planning to start my year in, I am so grateful to her! I also bought a pair of her finger less gloves. She does the most amazing quality work with such fabulous attention to detail!
Check her out at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCozyQ

I also had quite an emotional lead up to Christmas. For the last year my neighbor has been talking to me about making a bunny for his wife for Christmas. This November he passed away unexpectedly. I felt such an urge to make her this bunny. I am pleased at how she turned out, but I did have to ask another neighbor to come deliver it with me as I knew I was going to cry.

As we delivered the Bunny to her, we heard her grandson was in hospital and expected to be there possibly for Christmas. Again I felt I had to do something for this wonderful family. This is the bear I made him so he would have company while he could not be with his family.

Here is a gift/project I have been working on that has no fur- yup- no fur! E's teacher at school is expecting her first bundle of joy in March. I decided, along with E that we needed to make her something and we decided on a new item just for the baby. Since I am practical, I made a change mat and I am planning in time to make a matching diaper bag. We loved the hot air balloons and since it is a boy- blue seemed appropriate. Very colorful!

More sculpting in Polymer Clay

E and I have been working hard together to do some sculpting. We started with a wooden spoon as a base to the head, Sculpey clay and polyglass eyes. We followed along the instructions provided by sculpt university to make a witch.

http://www.makingfairies.com/collections/tutorials

I love this lady's work and her tutorials are so much fun!

Spoon head doll

You can see the base of the wooden spoon sticking out the bottom. Yes these heads are large! We still have to paint the face with heat set genesis paint and add ears. The back of the head will be built up from padding and fabric. Then onto hands, feet and armature. I was really impressed with E's one. She has done a fabulous job in creating the head. Mine is on the right. Not bad for a kid!

We are also planning her next birthday party. This year we will be doing an "Ever After High" theme. This is so new that there is not a lot out there. Thank goodness for Pinterest. We decided to play on the fairytale theme. Our craft is going to be a small terrarium with a mushroom house. The ladies will add sand, rock, moss and a few mushrooms (Polymer clay) and a mushroom house.

We will have a sit down dinner, so we have kept the number invited very small. A game of freeze tag- red riding hood and wolf style, some smores and a great movie... The sleepover has all been planned out by E and she is very excited: )

Sculpting another tooth fairy

The last couple of weeks saw me sculpting again : ) I was asked to make 2 tooth fairies and I finally have one done. The other will be a girl tooth fairy. Again the idea is an old grizzled fairy that has seen everything in his life, but now has found a dental crown under the pillow and he is not sure what to make of it - as it looks so real.

I get my "teeth" from a dental company that produces a laser CAD CAM system and these are the try out crowns to test the system. Some look so perfect!!

He has been sculpted over an aluminum wire frame. The hands, feet and face are Sculpey Polymer Clay and his eyes are black glass beads. The hair is a scrap of faux fur in arctic white.

I love to wrap the body in dyed cheesecloth and then build layers over that in felt. I use cotton embroidery thread to add my stitching and finishing details. Hot glue is fabulous for holding things in place so I can stitch better. His wings are Angelina Fiber that has been ironed over a wire frame. I used a incense stick to make the holes.

He has gone on to his new home and has been well received.