Plush Bear Repair

If Teddy is looking a little too well-loved or disheveled for your taste, The Teddy Baron suggests the following options:

• If the bear is made of chenille, accept that a shaggy appearance is part of his appeal. Any brushing likely will pull the fur out of the backing and leave the bear with embarrassing bald (or at least thinning) areas.
  
  
• Give the bear a trim! Brush the fur in the direction of the nap and careful cut any long hairs with a pair of sharp embroidery scissors. To give your bear a wide-awake look, brush the fur as it would naturally lie, hold the scissors at a 90-degree angle to the bear's face, and then careful trim along the edge of each eye.
  
  
• If the bear has more than cosmetic flaws, assess the situation. Does the bear have small tears along a seam between two solid pieces of fabric? Or does he have big patches where the fur has worn off, and the weave and texture are disintegrating? If the bear is in poor physical condition and you cannot live without him, consider enlisting the help of a professional restorer or conservator. Teddy bears can be fully refurbished to like-new condition – but it's not easy and it's not inexpensive.
  
  
• If you decide to tackle a "bear repair" yourself, please follow these steps:
  

1. Gather all of the necessary materials such as thread, sturdy fabric for patching, replacement eyes or buttons, and so forth.
   
   
2. Repair everything that requires simple stitching, such as reattaching an ear, sewing on a new eye, re-embroidering a nose or mouth, and stitching an open seam.
   
   
3. Cut patches larger than the area to be covered. Patches may be made of complementary or contrasting material, depending on the final look desired. Fold all raw edges of the patches in one-quarter of an inch and press with a warm iron. Fold in another one-quarter of an inch and press again. Machine-stitch along all of these edges to hem the patch and prevent fraying.
   
   
4. Using a curved needle and sturdy thread, sew the patches into place.
   
   

• If the bear is very worn and would require extensive repair, consider adding some clothing. A jacket, pants, or a cap might cover the area and minimize further damage. (I think my first Teddy bear has two or three jackets, one on top of the other!)
  

Customization: Aging a New Bear

Some collectors love the brand-new look and feel of a fresh teddy bear. But some folks prefer the bumped, scuffed, and perhaps repaired look of a well-loved childhood treasure.

The following suggestions will help "age" a new teddy – but please keep in mind that even slight cosmetic changes will likely devalue a collectible or artist-crafted bear. For some treatments such as staining, The Teddy Baron recommends doing a test piece or a small test area before treating the entire bear.

• If possible, study old bears to see how and where they show signs of wear. It is uncommon for a bear to wear and discolor evenly, and some areas may show little to no age at all.
  
  
• Tea stain light-colored fur to age it. Steep a cup of tea, wring any excess water from the tea bag, and then blot the tea bag on the bear. Avoid saturating the fur or the stuffing. Paw pads may be tea stained, as well, if desired.
  
  
• To age darker fur or to develop a darker stain, consider using coffee instead of tea. Dip a clean cotton cloth or cotton ball in the coffee, squeeze out the excess, and then blot the cotton against the bear's fur. Cola drinks are not recommended they likely will leave the fur sticky.
  
  
• For the truly brave who want a more authentic kid-loved look, any food – especially berries or dark-colored juices – is fair game to create a stain.
  
  
• Trim a little fur from the exposed edges of the ears and the paws.
  
  
• Fray the nose a tiny bit by picking at one or two strands, but avoid cutting the threads completely as the nose may unravel. Another option is to scuff the nose, especially if it is one made of leather, plastic, or another firm material, with a bit of sandpaper.
  
  
• Rub a little beeswax on anything that looks too shiny, such as buttons, bells, or hard noses.
  
  
• Replace the new, crisp ribbon with one that looks timeworn – or one that really is! Vintage ribbons and lace offer many charming selections, and will help the teddy develop into a one-of-a-kind bruin. If your bear does not currently wear a neck ribbon, consider adding one.
  
  
• The addition of antique or vintage accessories also helps establish an aged look. A pair of wire-rim glasses or Grandfather's pocket watch would look wonderful.
  
  
• Add decorative patches of vintage fabric, suede, or other materials. Another option is the addition of large decorative stitches over existing seams or a row of old, mismatched buttons down the bear's chest.