Finally!

The fabric and supplies finally arrived - a day late, but better than never! I eagerly opened the package from Intercal (Thank you, Johnna!) and found two pieces of mohair - one white, one bronze, a pair of glass eyes, and two sets of cotter joints for two bears. (I accidentally ordered an extra set.) I found that the bronze wasn't so terrible after all. I was anxious to see what it would turn out to be!

I set to work. I took the pattern for Little Teddy from So Treasured and traced it onto the bronze mohair fabric. It was then time to put my sewing skills to the test with all those small curves of the ears and arms and feet. I found it simple to follow the lines of the pattern in this "block" style, especially since I am not so secure in rounding the curves. 

I felt pretty good about the job I had done sewing the pieces. It was time to cut them out and start stuffing the head. I like to use wool if I am using mohair just to keep everything as natural as possible. I would also like to try cotton stuffing at some point, or even excelsior (what is known as wood wool stuffing often used in vintage teddy bears. Still trying to find a source for this.)

With the head stuffed with as much wool as I could get in there, it was time to put in the joints. The joints! I have never used cotter pins and discs before. While I was waiting for the supplies to arrive, I watched video after video of how to install them. I was feeling pretty confident when it came time to actually do it. 

Inserting the cotter pin into the disc

All joints in place!

Now it was time to stuff the body and close the holes. I was a little nervous about using the ladder stitch, but the mohair is very forgiving in covering spots where I was a little sloppy. I'm getting better at it. Then I turned to the beautiful glass eyes. I was grateful for the extra long doll needle I had surprisingly found at Michaels. The nose was a bit challenging. I confess that I read many articles and redid it several times before I finally settled on this one. 

Waiting for ears

I found attaching the ears to be the most difficult task. At first, I forgot to stitch them closed. Then I had a hard time whip stitching them to the head. When I googled it, some people suggested that a ladder stitch be used. This worked much better for me. 

Success!

Finally my little bear was complete! I even grew to love the bronze fur. It's different than most bears I've seen, and I like that. While I had been waiting on the supplies to arrive, I made a little dress and felt shoes. It was done the same way with block sewing. I'm getting better at those curves the more I do it. Jean had recommended a clear plastic foot for the sewing machine, and that worked wonders!

All in all, I am very happy with my first attempt to create a mohair bear with joints like this one. Some day I would like to create my own pattern, but for now I am enjoying learning the basics with this one. 

Little Teddy can even stand on its own!