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How to make a bear/bunny out of antique quilt


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Client has an antique quilt top from her grandmother that is almost disintegrated. There are some good areas and she has no concern about "value" only wants some memories for her new grandson - I was thinking of quilting it densely and then cutting up for a teddy bear or bunny - simple pattern, nothing jointed. Has anyone done this and do you have a suggestion for a good pattern to use:(

Thanks:)

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I didn't make this teddy, but it is made out of an old old quilt....its sandwiched and handquilted. The person who made it used the quilt as if it was a single layer of fabric and just cut the pattern pieces from the old quilt...on the arms you can actually see some moth bites, and its very thin in some areas. Love the little guy and it is about 10inches tall so pretty small. No eyes or mouth, but just as cuddly as can be..he lives in the antique rocker with the other stuffed animals and teddies.

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I have done this many time - many, many times. I would pick up a quilt from a garage sale and cut it up. It worked beautifully. You don't have to quilt it densely. I bought a pattern from McCalls or Simplicity years ago and used it. Now, mine did have joints - which are very easy to do. Mine turned out to be large bears. I have given them all away as gifts but they were stunning. I remember their faces were beautiful. After I posted this, I remembered I kept one from my pattern made from fake fir. Her paw pads are made from satin and she is wearing a 2T dress.

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I knew as soon as I posted this I'd find my old patterns! I found several I had from over 20 years with bunnies, elephants, bears and cats;) Some jointed and some not. One of the patterns looks just like the quilted one seen in the photo from above.

Thanks a bunch - the client is stopping by today to pick up her other quilt and I'm going to discuss this possibility with her. Now I just have to figure out how to price it if she decides it's a go:cool:

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Susan....and hourly price may be the best for something like this. When construction is involved to do a quilt I normally charge $10.00 and hours, a teddy shouldn't take more than 3-5 hours to make from start to finish. The first one of anything I do is always the longest time, and then I get faster after that...so maybe you need to make one for yourself to get a good feel for the length of time and the complexity of the pattern.

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I have made a few of those little bears. Some of them were made from flannel shirts that a deceased member of the family wore. But whether it is a shirt.....or fabric from an old quilt I alway add this little tag with each bear. And you make the words fit accordingly (something worn or used) by the deceased or giver.

It goes like this.........

"I was once worn (or used) by someone so dear, who through

loving memories will always be here. So, when you hug me

up close to you, just remember, he (she) loved you too!"

It gives a personal touch to each bear and a real memory to every one who receives it.

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The one I've made out of fabric MANY years ago was from a company called Great AmericanQuilt Factory Inc and bear pattern is Bitersweet Bear. (Looks like this one http://greatamericanquilt.com/store/andthethreebears.html )

Another is Simplicity 9894 (jointed) - rabbit with clothining is McCalls 3760 and elephants with clothing Simplicity 7140.

All are really old - I can tell by the price:D I'm sure they have different ones now.

Renae - I love that little poem - so sweet.

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