I feel like there is a whole intimidating world of artist teddy bears makers out there that I can't compete with. They have conventions with juried competitions and participate in super active message boards and only use the finest materials to make their bears. I admire this community, though, for their high standards and their engagement with one another around sewing what are essentially stuffed animals.
A few years ago I bought The ABCs of Making Teddy Bears by Linda Mead (Martingale, 2000) to try to better understand the lingo of artist teddy bear making and to see what all those jointing techniques and specialized materials were all about.
Linda Mead, you rock!
This book has 14 bear patterns, none of which I've made, but the 50 page front section has proven to be so incredibly useful that more often than not this book is on my work desk and not on the bookshelf.
Diagrams and photographs illustrate more clearly than any other book I've seen exactly how to draft a bear's head gusset, insert glass eyes, trim the fur at the muzzle, thread joint, and so many other topics that are applicable to any soft toy pattern designer.
If you are intrigued at all by making teddy bears, or if you'd like to know more about mohair or cotter pin joints or growlers, this book will take you there and beyond.
I highly recommend it. And Linda Mead, I'd love to chat with you if you're out there somewhere!
Another one you might enjoy looking at—Learn Bearmaking, by Judi Madigan. These aren’t classic teddies, but more softy-types.
I don't have that one! Thanks.
I haven’t seen this book, but I did just order the Womans Day Toys & Dolls book you blogged about a while back. I still consider myself a novice and I love the creative process of starting from scratch, but I thought I’d give the book a go.
I have noticed how bear and doll making is like the elite science club level of this art. WAY above my skill set (and aptitude for patience!). When I told my mother about making soft toys she immediately told me why I should make “those baby dolls that look like real babies”. (My answer: why would I want to do that? I’ve made three babies that look like real baby dolls! – I can’t ever top those đŸ™‚
I really like that book, Caren, and I agree with your sentiment about lifelike babies! That's hilarious.
Super thanks, trying my hand at bear making for Camp Boggy Creek donations. They supplied a pattern but my projects to date have been 2 demensional. Will get the book.