Bear making - anyone?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-02-2002, 10:32 AM

Another passion of mine is making bears. I got one partially cut out yesterday and plan on sewing him up today sometime. I love the new "fur" I purchased that comes from France. It is so soft and easy to work with, although cost me an arm and a leg.
I plan on making some for our craft sales.

Does anyone make bears or dolls here? If so, how long have you been doing it?

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-02-2002, 10:34 AM

Just wanted to say that I don't do this personally, but I know someone who purchases old fur coats from fleamarkets, etc. and uses them to make her bears. She lives in Fla. now and has quite the cottage industry going!

**homesteadmamma** · 10-02-2002, 10:37 AM

Thats so funny you should mention that. The very first bear I made I purchased an old fur coat and it took me days to take the thing apart and was so hard to work with. I said "never again".

Of course, I shouldn't have done it with my first bear. Lesson well learnt.

**~Sherry~** · 10-02-2002, 10:38 AM

I would love to see a picture of him when you're done, CJ.

What a great idea to use old fur coats.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-02-2002, 10:43 AM

I thought the fur coat was a great idea also! But I can imagine that they would be hard to make. She must have it down to a science- she makes so many. Does lots of shows, etc. Finding a supply is very easy also- goodwill, fleamarkets, etc. A lot of people getting rid of their furs.

**dozymom** · 10-03-2002, 06:58 PM

I tried making dd a Care Bear once, and finally threw it all out. The pattern was extremely complicated. I've been scared off ever since. Might call it the scare bear.

**Leiloni77** · 10-03-2002, 10:17 PM

I make bears for a living. www.teddycrafters.com
It's quite a rewarding job. I manage the store in Santa Rosa.

**bamamomto4** · 10-03-2002, 10:49 PM

Leiloni77
I seen something like this on A Baby Story not long ago

The pregnant mom and her daughter went to a store in the mall and made a bear.To neat!!!

**Leiloni77** · 10-03-2002, 11:41 PM

I really enjoy what I do, but I think personally I would get greater joy out of it if I actually MADE a bear for someone. In this fast lane society though, a happy medium had to be reached. I like the fact that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a bear made especially for you, and just as fat or squishy as you want it. A large population of women don't know how to sew, this way at least a quality bear is made from the heart that can be an heirloom. Just a thought.

**MJsLady** · 10-04-2002, 12:01 AM

That site is sooo cool Leiloni! And the bears are afordable! My sil makes bears but I think she is too proud of them. For a decent size one (bigger than medium but not huge) she charges $75.
To me that just too much but i guess for a bear collector it might not be.
I do not sew well enough to attempt a bear but i have made rag dolls.

**Leiloni77** · 10-04-2002, 12:07 AM

Thank you for visiting!! There are also other bear vendors like The Vermont Teddy Bears that retail for about $75 and up!
I have sewn a bear together before, it's not too bad. I would just be nervous about all the pattern cutting. I would have a pretty crooked bear when I'm done!!! LOL