Well, Flame, Chickie's
homemade bean-filled teddy bear, had surgery today.
In fact, he's had a lot of surgery in his short life. He was the first bear I made, so I paid the "dumb tax" on him--I learned what does and doesn't work! I really didn't choose a good fabric. It is a thin fabric with a loose weave, which means it isn't great for holding heavy beans. (When I later used it for a bear for my niece, I doubled it and used a zig-zag stitch for the seams, which worked well.)
Within a day or two, some of Flame's seams were coming undone, the ones I'd trimmed too closely. So I reinforced the edge seams.
Later I had to hand-sew the center seam from the neck through the bottom of the belly, since it was coming undone.
His bottom also got a little rip, which I mended, making him look like has a little well-placed "crack".
And recently, he got a little hole in his left leg, a hole I knew would soon be big enough to start "spilling the beans." (And what use is a childhood teddy bear friend if he can't keep your secrets?)
So I decided poor Flame would really look adorable with a patch--probably the first of a few. Patches add character to teddy bears! I chose a green felt that won't unravel. Chickie agreed to take her nap without Flame, and when she was asleep, I got to work.
Flame has always been very brave for his surgeries, keeping a smile on his face before, during, and after.
When Chickie got up, she said he "got a Band-Aid!" I'm glad she likes the result of Flame's bearable surgery as much as I do.
(If you want to know how to make your own bear, check out
this post.)
