Wonderful World of Teddy Bears

 

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A couple of years ago, I subscribed to a magazine called "The Wonderful World of Teddy Bears". It's a fortnightly magazine from De Agostini publishing. Its now out of print as the series finished early in 2003 - I ended up with 20 bears. 

The magazine and the things with it built up a collection of character bears. There was a new bear roughly every six weeks, then kits to make their outfits and scale accessories, which add to the character.

The magazine also had information on collecting bears, bear artists and bear shops. I finally finished all the bears (at least to the point where they looked dressed) and took all their pictures. Here they are.

This is Sleepy Sam, the first bear that came. He's got his nightshirt, nightcap and dressing gown which all came as kits.

Then his hot water bottle, glasses and his own tiny teddy. The chair was an additional gift with the subscription.

Schoolgirl Sally. In addition to the outfit she's wearing, Sally also has a blazer, sports tabard and hockey stick (although I've not finished the blazer).
This one is Holiday Harry. Like Sally, there is more to his outfit than what he's wearing. He also has a safari jacket and sun-hat, but they don't suit him and they cover up his wonderful Hawaiian shirt..
This is Belinda Bride and Gentleman Johnny (who isn't the groom, he's giving her away).

The bride's dress came out particularly well, with the accessories of shoes, headdress and bouquet really finishing it off well. I think Johnny looks a bit like a slightly inebriated Edwardian gentleman, but very sweet all the same.

This is Yoko, the Japanese opera singer. The kimono was one of the tougher outfits to make - sewing satin is a pain at the best of time, at this small a scale it was a nightmare.

I'm going to redo the fan and replace her umbrella with one which better matches the kimono.

This is PC Bruin. He's not 100% complete by the book - I didn't make up his shirt (you'd not see it under his jacket and cloak) and his belt is held closed by a pin. He has a slight issue - his feet aren't flat and he doesn't stand up too well on his own (I have to put something under one foot). 
Nurse Nora. Again, not complete by the book - she has some little armbands which I didn't really like, so I didn't do them. She does have a cloak which is sitting next to her in the picture. I particularly liked her little upside down watch. 
Claude the chef, pictured in the kitchen. I think he's all done - and the tomato didn't come with him, I just thought it looked good.
Lady Lavinia. She looks sort of Edwardian, so should really be with Gentleman Johnny perhaps. She's one of the most complete of the bears as it looked like she really needed all the part of the costume to make it right. The hat, umbrella and muff all came ready made.  
This little one is Toddler Tim. Although the same size as the others, he does have a very baby-ish look about him. He does have a little hooded jacket which I never finished and a wee toy train which I knocked the wheels off (sorry Tim...)
Colin the Cricketer. Poor Colin got a bit battered in transit, and arrived with one eye missing. but he was repaired easily and now looks fine. I didn't do his cap (not many of the hats for any bears fit well). In his little bag is a set of shinpads, a ball and cricket ball. 
The regal Princess Polly, complete with gold shoes, crown and golden chalice. Another satin dress which was a pain to sew. But very pretty once it was all done.
A duo that didn't arrive together, but look good together. Cowboy Clint and Little Running Bear. Clint has very little of the supplied costume - when he got here, I just out his hat, kerchief and gun-belt on so I didn't lose them. And he looked so cute I just left him. Little Running Bear has a wigwam which I have no room for so I never did it. 
Another incomplete bear.. Sporty Sue. She has a t-shirt and tracksuit but all I ever finished was the swimsuit. Unlike Colin, there is nothing in the bag (if I ever do the rest of her outfit I may dress her in the tracksuit and put the swimsuit in the bag). 
Yo ho ho! [Captain] Morgan the Pirate. His bag has pieces of eight in it. I added the sword - its from a cocktail accessories kit (unused of course). I'm still struggling with his coat, its a bit complicated.
Biggles Bear! No, not really... his name is Wilbur. The only bit I haven't done for him is his white silk scarf - I'm planning to put some wire in it so I can make it look like its flying out behind him in the wind :-)
Horsey Henrietta - not a very flattering name. The hat doesn't fit her at all and I lost her trophy. But apart from that...
The last of the bears - Hamish McBear. The kilt was one of the most difficult bits of clothes to make - took an hour to put all the pleats in and then stitch them down. He has a tam o'shanter which I never did because I didn't think it suited him.