Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Bear With Me, Part 2

So my teddy bears traveled from the States to Tunisia in a suitcase many summers ago. One little 11-in/28-cm pink bear began looking shabby because it was made out of a synthetic fleece that pilled. 
Having a deep respect for the way the joints are made (getting the joints tight challenges patience), I couldn't bear seeing this bear on the downhill. Time to recycle:
                               The pink bear became the patchwork bear.
The fabrics came from my collection of recycled flea market finds.
As I was tired of the pink, I went back to the traditional brown...sort of.
With a long needle, I used a sort of running stitch/back stitch to sew down the patches. A beast to do!
Given the times, I would name the bear at this stage the "Censored T. Bear." Working on the face was a bit disconcerting: dolls and bears seem to pick up a bit of personality of their own. I kept telling myself that I didn't believe in voodoo dolls and that this toy wasn't drowning under the fabric!

And the T. Bear rides off into the sunset....


           

40 comments:

Sarah said...

My goodness that must have taken aaaaggges! Good to see a ted with a new lease of life :-)

Béa said...

Really wonderful !!!

Vicki W said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Great job!

Teodo said...

BELLISSIMO - fantastic.
ciao ciao Linda

Carole Reid said...

From pretty little pink Teddy to bike riding brown patchwork bear! I love it! Very, very clever!

Anonymous said...

Hello, I think it looks like he is covered in tatoos. He is a rebel T. Bear. On his "HOG". Happy Holidays!

Jeannie said...

Your bear is wonderful, as is the motorcycle. I made jointed rabbits, eons ago. I think perhaps one needs to be boro'd!

Linda A. Miller said...

Fabulous rebirth for the bear! What a process..thanks for sharing!

Els said...

Ha Nadia I really had to laugh out loud when I saw that sweeeeet pink teddy bear turn into that wonderful sturdy (a bit wary looking) brown one !!!! Great job !
Beary good and haapy Holidays to you over there too !

Nat Palaskas said...

This is fun. Funnily enough, I started one 6 months ago and almost all covered accepted one arm! I love how yours turned out - Hugs Nat

deanna7trees said...

oh so perfect. i'm sure your bear loves the new outfit.

henrietta (aka ani aka zani) said...

too funny. motor-cycle bear - now he/she needs a harley vest.

Salsy said...

Hi Nadia
It's good to remember that underneath that tough exterior...there is a pink teddy bear inside. :)
Happy Christmas. Thanks for your blog.

Nifty Quilts said...

WOW!! Fantastic! So creative, original and resourceful. And WHO made that motorcycle?!

MulticoloredPieces said...

The motorcycle was made by a Tunisian artisan. It was my birthday present several years ago.
best, nadia

Barb said...

Your bears are adorable!

Linda in Calif. said...

I'm glad you have the mouth a bit of a smile. Before it was sort of frowning. Besides he would be happy when he's riding.

Laurie said...

What a great idea to make this bear yours!

Roxanne said...

Fantastic! Love the motorcycle too!

Radka said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

COOL !!!!!!!!!

Vivian said...

That is one very lucky bear, both to get a total redo as you gave him, and also having such a sweet ride. The motorcycle is wonderful! His new look goes well with the variety of colors and textures on the cycle. They're a set.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Fantastic!! I love this. You turned the sweet little Teddy into a groovy patchwork easy rider bear! Its so wonderful that you took the time to give this little bear a new life.

CREATIVE KHADIJA said...

what a patience you have..waoo,..the poor bear is looking warm now :)
All the best honey :)

bj said...

He appears to be happy in his new suit...

Michele said...

You did a fantastic job! He looks great!

Stitching Lady said...

Oh, I am "bearing" with you telling you that it is a wonderful post - also the next one about bears. I will follow your blog now regularly. Have a wonderful good New Year.

The Artful Diva said...

I love what you did to this teddy!

janae king...sewing patterns said...

Hi! i was thrilled that you left me a note on my blog...yes, Greenbaum's Quilted Forest is where i work and teach...isn't it a fun place?...it is a small world. i love your little scrappy bear...you've inspired me to do the same. happy stitching from Salem.

Emma said...

A wonderful trasformation! I've had a plan to do this to a dull colored coat, something's putting me off!

Happy holidays to you - I have fond memories of spending Christmas in Siddi Bu Said (sp!) in 1980, steak & chips for the meal!

Gurli said...

What a fascinating transformation. Love him and his bike.

Cheryl Razmus said...

Nadia, did you ever think of leaving a little patch of pink showing? The idea of suffocation is a bit disconcerting, but I understand it. I have been thinking of doing this with a stuffed hippo at some point (since I collect hippos.)

Anonymous said...

Tu as recyclé ton nounours comme les pots pour tes plantes, avec une magnifique mosaïque... en tissus ! Une renaissance magnifique.

Sandy said...

What a perfect solution-love the new look. Thanks for commenting on my blog.

Sandy said...

Bear-y good idea! I love your new Teddy!

KeyQuilter said...

Little bear is much cuter now! Happy New Year!

AngeLLinA said...

Very beautiful

Irma said...

génial!!!

Lori said...

I LOOOVE it! Absolutely precious! What a great idea. Looks like an old heirloom bear. Just adorable.