PATTERN ALTERATION

(Introduction to Design)

 

You've made a few bears from commercial patterns and are starting to think a bit about designing on your own. If you think you're ready to take the first step toward designing your own bears, here are a few ways to gently ease you into it. You don't have to jump right in and start with a blank sheet of paper right away. Begin with your favorite design (commercial pattern) and we'll take it from there.

 

Remember, when using this method of pattern alteration to get your feet wet in pattern design, you still can not truly call the design your own since it originated as someone elses. Used as a teaching tool, this method is a comprehensive and uncomplicated way to approach design. Once you are comfortable with the concepts of changing the pieces of an existing pattern to fit the idea you have in your head, you will be able to take the next step and begin to design on your own from scratch. These original designs may be claimed as your own and sold under your name free and clear.

 

The idea is very simple; your creativity will add the detail and character. The basic concept is to use an existing pattern as a base. All the proportions are standard. Use your creativity, imagination, observational skills to alter that bearπs shape into the specific bear your have in your head.

 

GETTING STARTED:

 

First: Find a basic bear pattern. Just choose a regular bear with no outstanding features. Have the completed basic bear (or a photograph of it) on hand for comparison.

 

Second: Sketch out a diagram of the bear you would like to create or find a photograph that is similar to what you have in mind. Remember to start out simple. (Note: For your first design/alteration attempt don't go for the double jointed fancy shaped bear of your dreams. Stay simple and learn the basic concepts; there will be plenty of time for artistic genius later on.)

 

Third: Look at the photo or sketch of your bear and compare it to the actual basic bear. Note all the differences. Look at each part of the bear individually from head to toe and make notes.

 

1.      Ears    

Are the basic bear's ears bigger, smaller, rounder? Do you want them inset? Will they be curved more/less etc.?

2.     Head   

Will your bear's head be larger or rounder than the basic bear's head?

3.     Gusset

Will your bear's snout be longer, narrower, more pointy or square than the basic bear's?

4.     Neck   

Will your bear have a longer/shorter or fatter neck?

5.     Arms   

Will your bear's arms be longer or shorter? Will your bear's hands turn down?

6.     Legs    

Will your bear be a standing bear or a sitting bear? Will his legs be bent or straight?

Will his legs be floppy or firm? Will he have short stubby fat legs or long slim legs?

7.     Body    

Will your bear have a large round body with a big squishy belly? Will he be a firm, tall slim fellow?

 

Once you have an idea of how your bear will differ from the basic bear, take out the pattern pieces for the basic bear. Remove the seam allowances. Set aside the gusset and the foot/paw pads. Arrange the remaining pieces to form a paper bear and trace them onto a separate piece of paper as shown in the first diagram.

 

Next, using a different colored pencil, alter each pattern piece to reflect the changes you decided on above. Clearly outline each new pattern piece as shown with the arm in the second diagram.

 

Retrace all new altered pattern pieces and cut them out. Arrange them as your new paper bear.

Check and mark your new joint placement points on your arms, legs and body.

Check the fullness of your body parts (usually on the body and/or head) and add or adjust darts where necessary.

 

CREATING THE PAW PADS FOR THE INNER ARM

 

Regular Paw Pads

1.      Re-trace new arm onto paper so you have 2 arm pattern pieces. Mark joint placement on one arm piece only.

2.     Draw a line across the inner arm piece (with the joint marking) where you want the paw pad seam (wrist) to be.

3.     Cut along the line to create the inner arm piece and paw pad piece.

 

Curved Down Paw Pads

1.      Measure straight edge of the paw.

2.     Draw a long straight guideline on a piece of paper.

3.     Using a curved ruler, draw 1/2 teardrop shape on one side of the line measuring the same as the straight edge of the paw. (The point of the teardrop shape will be at the wrist.)

4.     Fold the paper along the guideline and cut out the teardrop shape.

 

 

CREATING THE HEAD GUSSET

Check the notes you made when comparing the basic bearπs gusset to that of the new bear you want to create. Based on your comparison, concentrate on three specific areas of the head gusset:

1.      The top center of the head (between the ears).

Do you want to make the new one wider or narrower than the basic bear?

2.     Bridge of the nose.

Do you want to make the new one wider or narrower than the basic bear?

3.     Tip of the nose.

Do you want to make the new one broader, more square, pointy, rounded etc. than the basic bear?

 

Once you've got the basic idea of the shape of your new gusset, trace the basic bear's gusset pattern piece (without seam allowances) onto a new sheet of paper and alter it with a different color pencil as you did with the other pattern pieces.

 

Remember, when designing the gusset, that it must be stitched to the side head and fit perfectly. A good method to follow to achieve this is the following:

1.      Measure the new side head along the edge of the pattern piece (along the stitching line).

Measurement 1: Measure from the tip of the nose to the eye point.

Measurement 2: Measure from the eye point to the back of the neck.

2.     Measure the proposed (new) gusset along the edge of the pattern piece (along the stitching line).

Measurement 1: Measure from the tip of the nose to the eye point.

Measurement 2: Measure from the eye point to the back of the neck.

           

Compare Measurement 1 on the side head to Measurement 1 on the gusset. They must be the same.

Compare Measurement 2 on the side head to Measurement 2 on the gusset. The also must be the same.

 

If they do not match, adjust either or both pattern pieces so that they do.

 

CHECKING THE HEAD GUSSET FOR FIT

Once you've gotten the measurements to equal each other, you need to check the fit. To check if the new head gusset will fit the new side head piece, refer to the article on "The Perfect Gusset".

 

CREATING FOOT PADS

1.      Measure the straight edge of the foot bottom.

2.     Draw a long straight guideline on a new sheet of paper. (Approx. twice the above measurement).

3.     Using a curved ruler or a piece of string or wire, draw a curve on one side of the line that measures the same as the foot bottom.

This will be the shape of 1/2 of your footpad. Adjust the shape to how you want the footpad to look without altering the measurement.

4.     Fold your paper along the guideline and cut out the new foot pattern piece.

 

CHECKING THE FOOT PADS FOR FIT

To check if the new foot pad will fit the new leg/foot piece, refer again to the article on ≥The Perfect Gusset≤.

 

SEAM ALLOWANCES

Using a ruler or a quilter's disk, add seam allowances to your new pattern pieces. Be consistent and accurate when adding seam allowances.

 

TRIAL RUN

Itπs time to test out your new pattern. Many artists like to make a test bear before actually cutting into their valuable mohair. Cotton muslin is an economical way to test out your pattern. It will show the true shape of your design without fur pile getting in the way. Remember to keep in mind that the actual bear will have fur and appear much fatter (depending on the pile length). You will be able to tell if your pieces fit nicely together or if you need to further alter them. Once you have made up your bear in muslin, you can improve on him further by following these steps again using your muslin bear as the basic bear pattern.

 

A FINAL NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT

There is a lot of information contained in this article. Take it one step at a time and keep it simple. If you have any questions or problems, donπt hesitate to contact us at Edinburgh and we will be happy to answer any questions and talk you through any rough spots! Making bears is fun, but designing your own bears is limitless fun!