The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Fun with Fabric => Dolls and Toys => Topic started by: Holly Berry on June 08, 2019, 11:54:18 AM
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I have been inspired by the BBC programme “The Repair Shop” to rejuvenate my Teddy Bear.
Fortunately, although he was much loved when I was a child, I took care of him and he has little wear to his fur, but his paw pads are showing his 60+ years. My Mum had to repair his nose, as I used to suck it.
He did have all those years of dirt and dust on his fur, so yesterday I set about cleaning him. Research has lead me to believe he is mohair on a canvas backing, as this was the most common fabric used pre 1960’s. I hoovered him and gave him a good brush. Then using a solution of liquid soap flakes and warm water with a toothbrush cleaned him up. I wasn’t really expecting the good result that I got. I can’t remember him new, but he’s probably not as bright as he was new.
I’ve sent off for some faux suede for his pads and a new growler as he no longer growls.
Has anyone any tips for sewing on the pads. His joints and limbs are in such good condition I don’t want to take them apart, so will have to be stitched in situ. I will have to open his front body seam though to replace the growler.
I’ve tried to attach some photos but it’s not cooperating at the moment.
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My poor teddy turns 60 next Summer and he's in a shocking state. He's a Wendy Boston and they were filled with some kind of foam which has now perished so he is a shell of his former self except for his head which must be something different.
I don't trust me to fix him, I don't trust the postal system enough to send him to England to get fixed but there is a TB hospital within driving distance of here....I'm not sure I trust them either.... :(
Good luck. I think you're very brave.
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Photos The first 2nare in his yellowish grey state and the last in his brighter cleaner state, more of the golden colour he should be. Unfortunately the photos don’t show the difference too well.
@wrenkins I know what you mean. Whilst doing my research I came across quite a few iffy sites. YouTube was even worse, there’s someone on there repairing with duct tape!!
The two ladies on The Repair Shop are Bear it in Mind. They have their own business, but I think there’s quite a long waiting list. You could email them and ask if they know anyone in NI.
I hope you can get him sorted
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Oh wow! He's looking so much brighter already. :loveit:
(I'd need to find somewhere that would allow mummies to stay). :[
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Oh he's gorgeous! I saw that edition of the Repair Shop and the bear on it looked great.
Mine is only 40 years old (not from my childhood) and I'm afraid to wash him so may try your method. He is a Gund bear bought on my first trip to New York.
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Could you use an upholstery needle to make sewing easier? Lovely teddy, I had my brother's and it has gone missing.
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I think if you don’t want to take him to bits you may be able to ladder stitch the pads on. I have repaired a few, usually they have been so bad I have had to take them to pieces but I did repair a giraffe by using ladder stitch in places.
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I've recently repaired a 41 year old bear - the one on my avatar's photo- and a 38 year old bear. The stitching on the bottom of the 41 year old honey bear was coming loose. It wasn't difficult to stitch this back so she's quite happy now and can enjoy her favourite hobby of sitting around waiting for honey sandwiches
Beryl, the 38 year old youngster, had velvet paws - basically velvet pads at the end of her legs. These had worn through to the extent that the little plastic beans in her legs were starting to escape! I cut two circles of brown fleece, just big enough to cover the old velvet paws, and stitched them on by hand. The virtue of fleece is that it doesn't fray at all.
I didn't take her apart and no anaesthetic was required - by either of us.
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You're doing a great job, there.
Great coincidence, this morning we went to Ironbridge, where the Merrythoughts Teddy Bear Factory is. They have a restoration and valuation section.
https://www.merrythought.co.uk
Just to edit, I've just read my leaflet from Marrythought, and they no longer do repairs and valuations. But they do recommend www.bearitinmind.com
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That reminds me, as a child I had a Merrythoughts bear called Pythagoras but I left him too close to the fire and his fur got singed so I don't think he'd be worth much now!
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It’s good to know that there are still a lot of elderly bears out there.
I don’t know the make of mine as he hasn’t got a label, and my Dad is no longer here to ask where he got him from, but after a little research I think he’s a 1950’s Chad Valley. He’s probably not worth much, but is priceless to me.
@Celia and @Tamnymore, I’m not going to take him to pieces, but will cut around the disintegrating pads as the under seam of the pad is still in good condition, so will make a better anchor when I stitch to the fur. I’ve got a fine curved upholstery needle which may make the job a bit easier.
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Mine dates from December 1945 and is made from real curly sheepskin. Unfortunately, he has lost one arm altogether and the other is off. I don't know what those Repair Shop ladies would have done about that.
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Mine dates from December 1945 and is made from real curly sheepskin. Unfortunately, he has lost one arm altogether and the other is off. I don't know what those Repair Shop ladies would have done about that.
I bet they could put him back together and give him a new arm <3
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One of the most difficult bears I made was with real sheepskin but I am sure yours could be repaired
@Greybird
Do let us see your repaired bear when you have finished @Holly Berry Inam sure he will appreciate all the love
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My 1953 bear has absolutely no fur (bar a tiny bit buried in the arm and leg joints) and I can't remember him with fur or the squeaker ever working. He's left with a rather fragile coarse woven fabric covering. Amazingly, his leather feet pads are still ok but his hands are covered with brown felt which I recall sewing on more than 50 years,ago - I think the fabric was too worn to replace the pads properly. He sits on the chest of drawers in the bedroom.
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My bear is in a similar state to Ploshkin’s when it come to fur which is why he is called Fred.
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My bear is also very fredbear - I would love to give him a bit of a sprucing up. I have a photo where I am holding him and you can see he was furry once. It's terrific what the Repair shop ladies do - I don't think I'd dare try.
I don't know where he came from, must remember to ask Mum if she recalls anything.
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My bear is in a similar state to Ploshkin’s when it come to fur which is why he is called Fred.
I didn't get this until @FloBear posted :S haha :ninja: