Description:
Soft fur, plump stuffing, and an engaging expression are about all that's needed to make teddy bears irresistible, but they can be even more appealing with the addition of bits of clothing or small accessories to give them real "character." In Making Character Bears, Valerie Tyler reveals how to give bears their own individual personalities. A tiny, felt knapsack and a forked twig define the hiking bear; the cricketer (yes, the author is British) sports a white, knit sweater and felt leg pads; the gardener tends miniature pots of paper flowers; the all-occasion bear has numerous accoutrements, so he's ready for any event from Christmas to a house warming. Complete directions and full-size patterns are given for each of the 29 projects, along with general instructions on basic bear making. Beginners are better off turning to a more thorough introductory guide (such as Carol-Lynn Rössel Waugh's Bearmaking 101: An Ins"Bear"ational Course), but more experienced bear enthusiasts may enjoy the themed bears shown here, especially for gift-giving. --Amy Handy
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