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Publisher:
Search Press |
Release
Date: October 2003 |
ISBN:
1903975956 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Large Format Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon US || UK |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
How-To Books/Making Teddy Bears |
Reviewed:
2003 |
Reviewer:
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewer
Notes: If
you cannot find the materials locally try www.searchpress.com
for a list of suppliers. |
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The
Encyclopaedia of Teddy Bear Making Techniques
By Alicia
Merrett & Ann Stephens
I've
been making soft toys since I was young enough to play with them
afterwards and thought I knew a thing or two about the subject.
But I hadn't reckoned with Search Press's exhaustive encyclopaedias,
and in here is probably all you have ever wanted to know about making
yourself (or a lucky recipient) an heirloom bear--and then some.
In fact, just like Betty Barnden's masterly Encyclopaedia of Cross
Stitch Techniques (also reviewed on this site) I can truly say that
the term "exhaustive" is woefully inadequate. Firstly,
forget the idea that this is a book of patterns to trace off and
make up. There are some fine patterns at the reverse of the book,
it is true, but after you have thought about safety and assembled
some basic equipment (and some not quite so basic) comes the chapter
on design. It takes you through observing real bears in your local
zoo to understanding proportions and how the different parts can
be transformed into flat pattern pieces. There are chapters on cutting
out, working with fur fabrics and stitching techniques, to attaching
joints and stuffing, putting in the features safely and even distressing
to make a bear look old (not to defraud people, I hasten to add).
Then there is more on how to make miniature bears and garments,
and finally a gallery. Phew!
If you re an experienced toymaker
and want to move on to makinag something that, if you can find an
outlet for it, justifies a hefty price tag, then this is the book
for you. A beginner would be daunted, so if this is you, go away
and learn a few skills first. Normally I would look askance at any
author who suggested buying expensive tools when more ordinary ones
would do the job just as well, but here I confess you had better
get thee hence to the nearest specialist website (several given
at the back) and invest in some workshop-looking tools such as cotter
keys and nut drivers. I admire the way in which all the details
that normally get overlooked are dealt with in here, complete with
diagrams and photographs on every page. This is a very attractive
book, evocative of Reader's Digest guides, although books on this
subject are seldom this in-depth; I have certainly never seen one
like this before.
I've reviewed lots of primers and
own still more, but seldom have I seen one that covers so much and
takes you through every step of the way. The funny thing is, I don't
normally even like teddy bears very much, but now I can't wait to
get down and make one! If you want a book that shows you how to
do it properly, this one would be my first choice. Very highly recommended.
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