Making Traditional Teddy Bears: Featuring 12 Collectible Designs [Hardcover]

Brian Gibbs (Author), Donna Gibbs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1997

This guide starts with an introduction to the history of the manufacture of the teddy bear and then sets out to show readers how to make a collection of fully-jointed teddy bear designs featuring all the classic characteristics including long arms, humped backs and button eyes, and ranging in size from 3in to 30in. Bears include Smudge, a tiny velvet bear that can fit in the palm of the hand, or musical Haydn, or Olivia and Oliver, twins dressed in matching Edwardian outfits. The book demonstrates the basic bear-making techniques every step of the way from choosing fabrics and pattern cutting to assembly and jointing. It explores how to create a bear's unique character by subtle differences in the positioning of the eyes and ears and the embroidery of the facial features. Advice is also given on giving an authentic look to finished bears. Finally there is a "bear clinic" - a guide to restoring a bear to its former glory.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715304313
• ISBN-13: 978-0715304310
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete, easy to follow instructions, great patterns., July 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Making Traditional Teddy Bears: Featuring 12 Collectible Designs (Hardcover)

One of the best book I've seen on the subject. Interesting for novices and experts. Great pictures and drawings. A bit expensive, but worth the money.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It's just too old and out dated, February 5, 2010

By 

the wine & teddybear maker (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Traditional Teddy Bears: Featuring 12 Collectible Designs (Hardcover)

It's just too old and out dated, the resources have all closed down and their own website is some sort of virus infected porn site now. Try as you will,what you make will never look like theirs. They have used alot of techniques that they either leave out of the pattern instructions completely or so briefly detail, a new maker will have know idea of what they are taking about. I wrote a five item list on what NOT too do based on their instructions. Highly recommend, Margaret Hutching's book for those new to teddy bearing. Don't let the 1964 copyright stop you because quality is ageless and absent in the Gibbs book. Don't get their other one either....!!