Making Teddy Bears: Projects, Patterns, History, Lore [Paperback]

Paige Gilchrist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2002

Teddy Bear's a century old! Celebrate by looking back at his long life, enjoying teddy trivia, viewing bear paraphernalia, and making one to hug and love. Here's the original cartoon that inspired the toy, as well as the first bear on the market. A design timeline shows its evolution in shape, design, color, and sometimes dress. But, the charming pièce de resistance is the parade of project bears, divided into three sections: single pattern pieces like Fuzzy Wuzzy Snuggle; medium level ones like Autumn Ted, Honey; and jointed models, like Homer and Bumble.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Few beloved childhood items have the impressive pedigree of the teddy bear. In Making Teddy Bears: Celebrating 100 Years, Paige Gilchrist walks us through the bear's illustrious history, beginning with the famous 1902 legend of Teddy Roosevelt sparing a bear cub's life, and tracing the teddy bear's development through the decades. Wonderful sidebars explore such topics as the collecting craze, teddy bears in the movies, teddies as goodwill ambassadors, and care and repair tips. And naturally, no tale of the teddy bear would be complete without profiles of Winnie the Pooh, Smokey, Paddington, and other big- name bears.

The how-to segments are nearly lost amid this wealth of great bear lore, but as the title implies the book indeed teaches how to make teddy bears and does it well. Three master patterns (for single-pattern, nonjointed, and jointed bears) lead to 16 project variations, each with full instructions and color photos. A gallery of "art bears" by various contributors rounds out this delightful celebration of the 100th anniversary of everyone's favorite stuffed animal. - -Amy Handy --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gilchrist's book defies quick definition, simply because it encompasses so many different facets of teddy bears. She presents tips on child safety, profiles of collectors, and spotlights of famous bears. She then unveils 15 very different bears to make, based on one of three foundations--a single-pattern piece, a nonjointed one, and a jointed one. The parade of choices includes the merry prankster harlequin bear and a bumble bear, the latter embroidered with honey bees. Clear instructions, full-size templates, and color photographs are nothing to growl about. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579903797
• ISBN-13: 978-1579903794
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,262,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paige Gilchrists's Making Teddy Bears, July 5, 2007

By 

Tena M. Marangi "Tena" (Virginia Mountains, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Teddy Bears: Projects, Patterns, History, Lore (Paperback)

This book is very well done and has lots of gorgeous color pictures to emphasize the finished products. Also gives a brief history of each bear shown and "Teddy Bear Tips" throughout the pages. Comes with numerous patterns in the back that you can enlarge to suit your style and taste. If you are not a sewer or teddy bear maker, this will overwhelm you. Not for the beginner but nice to have anyway.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides a fine set of master teddy bear patterns, December 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Teddy Bears: Projects, Patterns, History, Lore (Hardcover)

Making Teddy Bears provides a fine set of master teddy bear patterns ranging form a very easy beginning single pattern piece all the way to a traditional jointed bear with movable arms, legs and head. These patterns are the foundation for sixteen projects which will delight crafts workers looking to make teddies.