“Doddi” Bears

Posted Monday 14 January 2008 and filed under: Softies

I’ve been meaning to work on a new design for a bear. A while ago, I made this one, this one, and this one as gifts.

As a basis for the new design, I started off with Zing the Cat (as I really like her rounded shape) and altered a bit here and there. I wanted to carry across the inspiration from ‘kawaii‘ and Aurora’s usual expression :-) I also wanted to make use of a vibrant blue floral vintage fabric from a 1960’s dress (seen here) and re-purpose a pre-loved baby blanket made of a very soft and thick fleece.

So I started off with this:

And after a few days and a few tweaks made to the original pattern, ended up with 3 more:

Okay, so I must confess that I am having a blast making these bears! It’s a lot of fun working with fleece again (I used both the re-purposed fleece and my favourite grey fleece) and working with fabrics (new and thrifted/vintage) that I haven’t really had a chance to play with before. They are a good size at about 45cm (16 inches) tall. I also like the fact that these bears turned out to be essentially a teddy bear with a doll’s body.

I decided not to individually name each one because I have developed this strange fear that I will soon run out of names (!). I was also at a loss when it came to coming up with a general name for these bears. I asked my little helper, Ava, if she could name them for me. She looked them over. After a thoughtful pause she announced, “I think Tiddy-Toddy“.

Loved it! But then it crossed my mind that the first part of that name could possibly be misheard as a slang word for a part of the female anatomy, which could make it awkward for some and confuse others (yeah, I’m probably over-thinking this naming exercise!). After some further conversation and compromise, we agreed on just “Doddi” - sort of like “Dolly” :-)

So the first Doddi bear will soon be on its way to a sweet little baby girl on the other side of the world, and the other four will part of the February shop update.

And now back to the Owl Pillows that I was working on before being rudely interrupted by Doddi Bear #1, then #2, then #3 and #4 . . .

15 Comments »

  1. Comment by kirsty — January 14, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

    They are really sweet Jhoanna - well done.

  2. Comment by Michelle — January 14, 2008 @ 12:39 pm

    Love the Doddies, but honestly, Jhoanna I had to giggle at your fear of running out of names. :0)

  3. Comment by Beth — January 14, 2008 @ 1:44 pm

    Love Doddi #2, with his kerchief and buttons!

  4. Comment by Dana — January 14, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

    Oh my, I love the bears! Hope you had a Happy Christmas & New Year!

  5. Comment by Jenny — January 14, 2008 @ 9:17 pm

    They are full of character-LOVE them!

  6. Comment by Kristy — January 14, 2008 @ 10:56 pm

    These are just gorgeous.I love the grey one with the floral dress.I think I’ll keep an eye out for her in your shop!

  7. Comment by susan — January 15, 2008 @ 4:51 am

    i really love these! their faces are so sweet! and i love the way you made their bodies too and the different styles! me want!
    huggs
    susy

  8. Comment by Jodi Renshaw — January 15, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

    I am crazy for these and hope that you will sell the pattern soon ;)

  9. Comment by CurlyPops — January 15, 2008 @ 9:28 pm

    Loved the Doddies. Just gorgeous!

  10. Comment by Geek Freek — January 16, 2008 @ 9:47 am

    Really love your stuff!!!

  11. Comment by Myam — January 16, 2008 @ 4:59 pm

    aww i love tiddy-toddy!

  12. Comment by rhelynn — January 17, 2008 @ 5:29 am

    Awww :) I am always amazed by your productivity and the consistent cuteness between items of the same pattern. That is a hard thing to accomplish! Taking the same pattern and producing many cute combinations of fabric and expressions is, as my mother would say, a talent you have in spades (a whole lot of and without a doubt) :)

  13. Comment by MrsPotter — January 17, 2008 @ 9:58 am

    Just incredible! You have a nack for sewing such personality and charisma into your creations.
    MrsPotter
    xx

  14. Comment by Melly — January 17, 2008 @ 4:24 pm

    CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!! They just keep on coming!! =)

  15. Comment by dalia perez — May 5, 2008 @ 8:34 pm

    Oh, I like all. All are so sweet. Their faces are great,I love them. Really wonderfull

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