The Experiment is successful: now for the partial introduction of the Buchanan Wolves.

Cy Bear calling in after a spell away from posting here.  It's just amazing how fast this New Year is going past.  Only a month today, it was Christmas Day - and here we are, nearly at the end of January already.

Isobel has been busy finishing off the experimental Wolves who are set to become part of the Cuddlies Family shortly and was able to send pictures of them, almost completed to MsKN - the author who has been waiting patiently for them to be done since she first contacted us in August last year.  The wonderful thing about this assignment is that there has not been a deadline - and Isobel has been able to finish Slippers, send more Cuddlies off to their Forever Homes and think about how the Wolves will be made.

I'm pleased to say that based on the photographs we sent earlier this week, the experimental Mr and Mrs Wolf have passed muster.  Isobel will  now get on with Mr. Buchanan Wolf  who has been ordered, while we await the arrival of some special coloured glass eyes that MsKN particularly wanted for her Mrs Buchanan Wolf.  They're called that at the moment, because MsKN specifically required them to be dressed in the Buchanan tartan plaid fabric which is presently worn by our Tartan Foxes (Etsy Listing #65456642).  Originally there were three of them:  now we are reduced to two - the one in the middle of this picture was sent to her Forever Home early in December.

We are still waiting to hear how she was received by her Forever Friend.  The person ordering them told us they had arrived at her home, but Miss Buchanan Fox with the yellow braid adornment was destined as a Christmas present for her Mum (whose ancestors were Scottish Buchanans).

MsKN's Wolves have the surname Buchanan in her story -a series of three. ( Isobel has read - and enjoyed - the first one) but MsKN is anxious to have some models wearing the plaid before her as she sits and writes the rest of her story.

To begin with, Isobel decided she would make two versions of the Gentleman Wolf and two of the Lady Wolf, and began with cutting out and sewing up their heads.  Since she was using fabric with a much thicker pile than the faux fur plush we normally use for our Foxes, she decided to experiment as she went along - and has actually shaped their faces in a way that she has not done previously, and she's used a plastic nose for Mr. Wolf - the first time she's done this.  (Normally, as you know, our noses have been embroidered with black or brown double knitting yarn).

 (It has been decided that we will be using Plastic Noses some more in future - they give a completely different "look" to the finished Toy!)

The same pattern is being used as the basis for the Wolves as Isobel uses for the Foxes and Coyotes in the Coldham Cuddlies Family, but because the fabric has such a different texture (it's much thicker), the head looks a bit bigger.  Apart from the eyes, which are actually green in this version, MsKN was happy for us to go ahead, as long as  her Mr. Wolf had Blue eyes.  This we've been able to do, and he doesn't look that much different from the photo we've shown you.

Isobel then made his clothes - with a smart Brown Tweed Jacket, and contrasting jodhpurs in the rather unusually striped velveteen fabric we have in stock.  Together with some smart brown leather boots, he looks like this - without the head attached.  MsKN did wonder if her Wolf might have a Brown Tweed Suit, and we were prepared to meet this request.  However, Isobel felt (and MsKN now agrees) that the finished Toy would present rather a dull appearance, so the striped trousers will now be produced once again.

The waistcoat is not made with the Buchanan Tartan and Isobel has yet to establish to which clan it actually belongs.  This will be established before we list both Mr. and Mrs. Tartan Wolf in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES, but we thought you'd like to see what Isobel has been doing in the interval between this post and the one she sent last week.

(The sharp eyed Followers among you will doubtless notice that one boot is not level with the other here!  The finished product does have level boots!  All will be revealed when both the Wolves are listed, once the Buchanan Wolves are on their way to their Forever Home).

We've also found a new home for another of our Baby Koalas (Etsy Listing #55190188) - the order came in from  MrGC in Hong Kong earlier this week, with a plea that if possible, he'd like it to be sent to him before February 14.  As Koala was in stock, we arranged a rapid Koala Catwalk session with the three remaining Baby Bears, one was chosen - and having agreed to accept the package being sent via International Signed For  rate charged by UK Royal Mail, Koala was upgraded and  is now travelling as a "parcel" rather than a "small packet" - which his weight actually allowed him to go.  We're now all keeping our fingers crossed that he will arrive in time.  Here's a picture of him before he departed for his Forever Home.

There's another post being prepared - to be published sometime next week - about a potential Patient in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).  He arrived for treatment, his ear was dispatched for matching purposes, and then his Forever Friend changed her mind.  We'll tell you all about that next time.

In the meantime - it's been nice being with you all once again.  Cy Bear.

More about The Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic

Hello Everyone!

Somewhat belatedly, I find myself fulfilling the promise (threat?) that ended Cy Bear's last  post almost a week ago.  But the delay has been for many reasons.  Sewing commitments:   I am in the midst of making four Wolves, two which are in response to a definite order,  and the other two are my experiments. These are for a very specific requirement and it's the first time I've attempted to produce a Wolf Cuddly - more anon, when they are completed.  The ones that aren't accepted by the Customer - a published author, who wants to have some Cuddly Models for her own enjoyment, once her second book in a tri-part series reaches completion - will be listed as full members of the COLDHAMCUDDLIES family on www.Etsy.com.

However the principal reason is down to my usual problems in dealing with technology.  Below is a copy of a pdf file that was sent to me of one of the pages in the Letters Page of The Lady Magazine - a long time U.K. weekly publication with a fascinating history of its own.  Try as I may, I cannot get it more legible than this, but it does give you an idea of what I am so excited about.  "The Lady and I" feature is published every week and deals with a different reader's relationship with The Lady magazine, and last Friday, January 10 - it was  MY TURN to be featured. 

 I had responded to a previous article dated November 22, in which the author illustrated what can happen to a series of Much Loved Bears - and the state of some of them were even worse than some that have been Patients in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing # 79124185.)

Because I want you to see what the feature contained, I am providing the full "translation" - some of my long term Followers here may recognise Edward Bear's "Before" and "After" pictures that are included in the feature!  (How Edward Bear Became a New Bear - 20/01/2013 and "Oops Edward Bear Needs a New Nose"- 31/01/2013) both describe Edward's original treatment - goodness me a year ago, almost to the day!  How doth tempus fugit!!

The feature begins:

"THE LADY & I

 Being parted from her beloved bear when she went to boarding school may have led one reader to a creative career in toy making.

 I was fascinated to read the article Loved to Bits about worn bears (22 November issue), because when I first went to boarding school, I was not allowed to take my beloved bear with me - my parents were dismayed at her state of disfigurement.  But when I returned home after my first term, I was upset to find that she was no longer there.  Perhaps that is why I wanted to save other bears and their owners from a similar separation.

I went on to become a toy maker of new, handmade plush toys, and today I am often asked if I can treat older bears that live in my village.  It's not a task I undertake lightly, because the owners of said bears have to be very sure that they do indeed want their companion bears to look "better".

When they have been restored, they can look very different from the state in which they have existed for however many years they have been together.  The oldest bear I have treated has been more than 100 (best estimate), and most are in their 40s to 80s.

If there are readers who have a bear - on their bed or in their attics - that might welcome being "rejuvenated", restorers like me love to give new life to old favourites."

Now, normally, each contribution to the Letters Page includes an attribution - Name and address - but for very understandable reasons I received the following explanation from the Letters Editor when I wrote to express my thanks for being published.  I had also enquired if it would be in order for me to use the fact that I had been published in such an august publication as The Lady here, and afterwards, by linking the post (as I usually do) to Facebook, Google+, Twitter  and, more recently, www.  Etsyology.net (blog@etsyology.com).   

In an e-mail, the Letters Editor responded:

• Dear Isobel,

Thank you for your e-mail – I’m delighted you’re pleased with it, and yes, please do feel free to make mention of it.  Attached is a pdf of the page which you might find useful.

I’m sorry we didn’t actually include your name & town – I think we were so concerned not to seem to be promoting a business that somehow that got edited out altogether.

 (The Letters Editor has also promised to forward any enquiries that might be precipitated by anyone reading the item.  Here's hoping!!)

Even on the partially successful scan, there is a further item included, part of which which says:

"Each Week the writer of The Lady & I wins a copy of Memory Lane's double CD, My Special Angel.  Be swept up in nostalgia with this beautifully presented album featuring more than 50 original hits from the TV show Call The Midwife (a BBC programme which is very popular here in the UK).  Send your stories (of 350 words) to the address above, marked The Lady & I"

I'm very pleased to be able to confirm that today that double CD arrived and I've spent a pleasant hour or two wallowing in the tunes of yesteryear.   (I haven't followed the programme - as I  tend to be sewing or "playing" with the computer (aka social media marketing!) at the time it is broadcast.  I do believe I'll even be able to exercise to it in between the weekly Zumba sessions!

That's it for tonight Folks!  Until the next time!  Isobel

Describing a Coldham Cuddlies Catwalk Show

Good afternoon Everyone - and a Happy New Year from me, Cy Bear.

This photograph was taken on the occasion of the latest farewell to two of my Baby Bunny Friends, who left for their Forever Home on January 3.  Their first stop is to the home of the lady who ordered them (MsLC) who lives in Blacksburg, Virginia and we are just hoping that the bad weather they've been having in the eastern USA this week will not have delayed their journey too much. They're going as Welcome to the World presents to MsLC's little Nephew.   The Russet Brown Bunny (Etsy Listing 175220863) is the newest member of the Rabbit Warren, while Light Brown Bunny (Etsy Listing 73079287)  has been a member of the family for some time.

Isobel had run out of our normal safety backed eyes when MsLC requested they be made, but she has often made Baby Bunnies'  eyes from scratch before, so all five that she made this time around have pairs of eyes that are hand made with Brown Double Knit (DK) Yarn and then stitched into place with matching cotton thread.  They also all have their mouth/nostril combinations sewn in matching Brown DK Yarn.  Normally, all our eyes and noses have been embroidered with Black DK Yarn.  All the remaining Four Russet Brown Baby Bunnies have now been listed in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES - No: 175220863

 Meanwhile,  I suggested that we should let you see how we arrange a ColdhamCuddlies Catwalk Show - when Customers order a Cuddly, and we have more than one of them in stock.  Modern technology enables one to do so much more than you used to be able to - or so I am told:  as a mere Bear (albeit a Beaver Lamb Bear!), I wouldn't know one way or the other.

In the case of the Russet Bunnies, Isobel lined them up on top of the Printer in her office.  She put a coloured base to show them off well, and then a somewhat crudely hand made number label was placed in front of each Bunny.

Then they are turned around, and the same label is applied to the appropriate bunny, so that the Buyer can see what they each look like from their respective rears.

Then we try to give our customer the chance to see what they look like from one side

Then come photographs of them two at a time, with the left hand pair shown first, and followed by the second pair.

The pictures  are then cropped, so that they really stand out for the Customer to make his/her choice and Isobel e-mails them - and waits for their decision.  When received, the successful selection is taken out of the Warren and put aside to be wrapped up and sent to their Forever Home.

I know Isobel often says she finds it impossible to make a Cuddly EXACTLY the same each time - and I think this last photograph - with all four Russett Brown Baby Bunnies facing the camera, minus their labels - illustrates it pretty well.  Despite all Cuddlies being made in an identical way, using the same fabrics and other materials, and from their individual patterns, there is always some difference in every one of us!

We've had an exciting week, which will be the subject of our next post early next week.  That's the way it is we're finding in this world of blogging world:  one can go for some time without really having anything of import to tell you folks:  and then at least two items of interest need to be incorporated into a post, and by the time we do post next, there may even be a third!   I'll leave that one to Isobel, I think - although she may change her mind and let me tell you all about it.  Whatever - we're both very excited at what has happened.

Until then - lovely to be back again talking to you all!  Cy Bear.

Welcome to 2014 - New Activities and a Farewell.

It's some time since Cy Bear and I have been posting on the blog:  blame it on Christmas and the fact that the sewing room had to revert to its proper use - as a bedroom, so that daughter Philippa could sleep there.  The bed occupies one whole side of the "second bedroom" in this apartment at The Hospital of St. John, and blocks access to the cupboard where all my fabrics are stashed.  Yes - I could get there if really needed, but the hassle of moving the bed, remaking it again so Philippa could get a night's sleep etc. et al  .....  so, for 10 days, no sewing got attended to.  Withdrawal symptoms were beginning to set in!

There was also Christmas and all its attendant goodies to be prepared, enjoyed and finished as well so it was not until Sunday that things returned to "normal" chez nous.  Cy Bear is now ready to take up his duties as Coldham Cuddlies' mascot, co-author of this blog and general over-seer of my activities, and I'm desperately trying to get on top of all the administration required for the Shop (www.ColdhamCuddlies.etsy.com) and for all the Teams that I have somehow joined since the beginning last year (9 in all, although not all at once - and some have been left during the year as well).

Just before Christmas though, an order was received from MsEA who wanted one of our Baby Koalas (Etsy Listing #551901188) to be sent to a friend in Fruita, Colorado.

 Now even with my hazy knowledge of the geography of the United States, I realised that there was no way that the package would be able to reach its destination before Christmas - the last guaranteed date for that within the UK was on the day the order was received.  So, it was decided that Koala would begin his journey the very first post immediately after Christmas (Friday, December 27) - just so that he wouldn't get tangled up with all the international Christmas Mail that was by then in full swing. Thus, the night before, this farewell shot was taken and Koala, wrapped up in chemical free tissue and bubble wrap, was placed - together with an explanatory letter about the postal arrangements that had been agreed - into a polythene Air Mail envelope and all the requisite labels attached.  Cy Bear supervised - as is his wont - and the result was this picture:

Needless to say, the package is still en route as this post is being prepared - but, hopefully, it should not be too long before we get news of its safe arrival.

In the meantime, I've joined a new Team - the All Handmade By Me Team - about which I'd like to explain a little bit.  As the name implies, members are only allow to join if ALL  the items in their Shops are HANDMADE By Them.  It was set up in October last year by Stacey Sobelman of www.SMARTdesignsbystacey.webs.co.       because of her very real concern about a new direction in which Etsy.com seems to be heading, whereby Etsy shop owners can use outside manufacturing help, if required, for their Shops.  (Slightly truncated, but you get my meaning, especially if you read Stacey's comments quoted below):

All Handmade by ME is a moderated team with the following requirements:

Members of this team will receive a handmade stamp of approval and as such we require that they prove they are truly making their products themselves. This does not exclude traditional collaborative shops or family businesses.

Members must be devoted to selling only what they themselves have made. THIS MEANS THAT YOUR SHOP MUST CONTAIN ONLY HANDMADE ITEMS! Shops also selling vintage or pre-made items will not be allowed in this team. Members who do not comply with our values will be removed.

It should be noted that we rely on team members to be responsible sellers and to know copyright law and the issues surrounding licensed images, fonts and other merchandise. Therefore the team will not be held responsible for any violation of copyright law by an individual member, but that member may be removed from the team if found to be in conflict with this.

I can do no better than to quote from Stacey's description of the aims and objectives of the Team and because I do so agree with this statement I decided to join.

The sharp eyes of my Followers will doubtless of noticed an addition to the Blog Banner, as well as that on the Shop Banner.  The badge, designed by Stacey and offered  for a very reasonable fee, is one that all Team members are encouraged to highlight whenever, and wherever they operate.  The badge is offered in several coloured versions, and I ordered two - the green one below, and a Gold version, which is the Team Badge on Etsy.  Of the two, I think the Green one works best with the Coldham colours and banner:  but I have retained the other, just in case I need it for another background in the future.

The team has been successful beyond Stacey's original hope and now numbers 1,563, occupying 44 Etsy team pages!  In three months, that is going some, I am sure you will agree.  So, in a small way Coldham Cuddlies is standing up for the true artisan and hopefully all future customers will appreciate the fact that every single CUDDLY is HANDMADE BY ME!

I've just made four new Baby Bunnies - in a different colour - in response to a special plea from a Team Member from the Etsy AAA Support Team, which I shall be listing in a couple of days.  MsLC, lives in Blacksburg, Va and wanted one of our existing Light Brown Bunnies, as well as this new model, for her sister's baby - who arrived a little late, on December 31.  These two will be en route for the US tomorrow, but I still have one more to stuff and put together, so that four more Baby Bunnies can join the ever-growing Rabbit population in our Shop (www.ColdhamCuddlies.etsy.com).  Pictures of Baby Boy and his new Forever Friends are promised when the introductions are completed.

Right - that's all for this first post for 2014.  It's a bit longer than usual - but it's been some time since I did a proper post!

A VERY HAPPY, PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY LOVELY FOLLOWERS!

Good night from both of us.  Isobel   and Cy Bear.

Making New Cuddlies for 2014 - Part Three

Hello Everyone:

 Cy Bear back again, and this time we're determined to finish this post about the Replacement Brown & White Rabbits - because Christmas is rapidly approaching, and we want to get the information out to you all, so that Isobel can post about some other things that she's planning for 2014 - for both the shop and the blog!

Etsy Listing #60491625

Here is the Brown Plush Rabbit, completed with her apron and carrot safely stitched into the apron pocket.  The latter is only stitched to keep it from falling out every time the Rabbit gets moved or played with.  Isobel tells me that anyone can unpick the stitching if they decide they don't want to have the carrot there.

This is the rear view, obviously, of one of the Brown Plush Rabbits, showing how the apron has been tied around the white furry Bobtail.  The tails' final shape determines how they get  fixed to the Toy, and thus how the apron ribbons get arranged as well!  It's all part of making the point that our toys are all HAND MADE by Isobel, and thus are individual as well.  She is incapable of making two of us EXACTLY the same!

You'll notice a label on each of these Rabbits - this was so that MrsEB in Australia could choose which one she wanted us to send her.  And you can see that there was a slight variation in the way the collars were decorated.  No 1 had a Chain Stitch decoration around the edge of the collar, with one orange French Knot at the corners.  No.2 had alternate orange and green French Knots all around the collar. Their apron bows are also slightly different, because No. 2 is made with  shot-silk ribbon that Isobel had in her stash:  while No.1 has green satin ribbon, which we've recently purchased to do this project - and any slippers/toys that may require a green trimming in the future They look like this from the front.

  MrsEB originally ordered a White Plush Lady Rabbit, but during the course of the order being produced, changed her mind and decided to go with Rabbit No.2.  Yesterday, on the www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES site, MrsEB wrote a review to this effect, which also tells us that everyone who travelled in the same parcel to Sunnybank Hills, Queensland, Australia have arrived safely

"We actually bought the brown rabbit, and she is gorgeous and beautifully dressed in her green gown and apron. Many thanks Isobel have a lovely Christmas and I will send photos as soon as practical".

Just to round off the post, here are similar views of the White Plush Rabbits, together with their respective labels.  Obviously, we'll include the pictures as and when they arrive - it is dependent upon the arrival of a Little Girl sometime in the New Year, we understand.

Etsy Listing #721688846

The material Isobel used to make all the aprons is a very stiff organza, and the off-cut from which all four were produced had a white satin edging at the hem. It is stiff enough to enable the Rabbits, who normally prefer to sit, to be able to stand, if they are carefully arranged - as in these pictures.  Isobel used mauve and green seam bindings to finish off the sides of the respective aprons, did some buttonhole stitching to applique the pockets to the aprons and just finished off the tops of the pockets with some stitching - machined in the case of the Brown Rabbits, and white embroidery yarn - to match the chain stitching on the Blue Collars of the White Rabbits.

So there you have it - how the first  2014 Rabbits have been made.  Because there are additional items on these models, there is going to be a slight increase in the cost of each Toy.  (The first such rise since COLDHAMCUDDLIES started operating  in 2010).  Isobel plans to spend the days between Christmas and the New Year adjusting these and has decided that with effect from January 2, 2014  all Coldham Cuddlies Toys are going to be listed in Great Britain Pounds (GBP) instead of  USD.  The Etsy folks continually suggest that this route is followed:  so, we're going to give it a go.

If we don't post again before Christmas, both Isobel and I wish all our Followers and Friends a really great festive season - whether it's Hannukah, Christmas or Hogmanay - may you all have a wonderful time.  We'll be back soon.

Making New Cuddlies for 2014 - Part Two

Good evening everyone - Cy Bear taking over for this second installment, which may yet go into a third, depending on how my description of the process goes, and the number of pictures we use to illustrate the story.

Isobel left the last post at the point when everything needed to be put together:  so the next step is for all the bodies to be stuffed.  In the case of all Dressed Lady Cuddlies (whether they are Rabbits or Foxes so far in the www.ColdhamCuddlies.etsy.com story or new models in the 2014 pipeline) they all have two seams sewn at the point where the legs become hips in a normal person.  The first one at the top of the legs is a straight one and the second (about half an inch up the body) starts and finishes at that point on each side, and in between becomes slightly curved.  It means Isobel then can stuff the legs from the bottom upwards, and the body is then stuffed from the neck down!  Apparently that's a much easier (and faster) process than when she has to make the Men Toys. They have to be stuffed from the neck downwards, right to the bottom of the legs - which obviously have to be very stiff so that the finished Toy can stand tall and upright, hopefully without being propped up.

In the case of the Lady Toys, it means they can sit down easier too.

Once the shoes have been sewn on, the pantaloons are fitted.  In the case of the Brown Rabbits, they were made in light green poplin and edged with a cotton white trim.  Each pantaloon leg was gathered around the ankle using embroidery yarn, which was tied and knotted tightly.  Then Isobel gathered the material at the waist, arranged the fabric evenly around the Toy's waists and sewed the pantaloons in place at the waist as well.

Our Cuddlies are not made to be undressed - which we believe is the secret to their longevity.  Long-time Followers of this blog will recall the treatment of  Madame Lapin and Mons. Reynard (toys that Isobel made for her sister-in-law who lives in France nearly 40 years ago.  They both were treated in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) and their therapies described in our posts (for Mme Lapin these were dated 19/02/12 and 20/02/12 and Mons Reynard featured on 04/03/2012 and 07/03/12).  The only reason they became Patients with us was that they had both become dusty, and Mons. Reynard's stuffing and boots needed attention.  Now, after a bath and clothes wash for Mme Lapin and re-stuffing and brand new boots for Mons Reynard, they look as good as new, and are back in their accustomed positions on MmeIM's dressing table in Normandy.

Reverting  to the present:, the next photo shows one of the two White Lady Rabbits at the same stage - with the Black felt shoes in place and the pantaloons - this time made in white satin and trimmed with pink lace and gathered at the ankles with a purple embroidery yarn.  (She was actually being propped up to stand for this photo!

This shows Brown Rabbit with her trimming and gathering in place as well.  The pastel shades of both the trimming and pantaloons do not show up truly under electric light, as well as they do in daylight -  however, think you can get the idea!

Then come the dresses.  Each skirt actually comprises fabric that measures 10 inches (c.20.6 centimetres) from floor to waist and 36 inches (90.15 centimetres) wide.  That is quite a lot of material, which has to be gathered at the waist and sewn onto the bodies of each toy.  Before the gathering gets done though, Isobel makes a one inch hem and this time used the sewing machine, with a zig-zag stitch setting to make the hem, and at the same decorate the dress as well.  At the same time, the ColdhamCuddlies label is also stitched into the dress at the back seam.

Then the bodices are attached.  The arms have to be stuffed first of all, and then the bodice of each dress is fitted over the waists of each Rabbit, the seams turned under - quite a tricky move for someone with arthritic fingers such as Isobel at times - and then she sews the two pieces together at the waist.

Right, I've been told by Isobel that we're going to have to stop posting this story for tonight, because the space allocated by Blogger for the pictures is getting to the point that she will not be able to upload more of them and see what she is doing to get them onto the blog.  She says that there is probably a recognised way of doing this but to date she has not been able to fathom it out.  So, you'll have to wait until next time to see what happens  - but meanwhile, here is a photograph showing Brown Rabbit, waiting for her head, apron, carrot and collar to be attached - just to whet your appetites (I hope).

Until the next time - when I think I'm expected to carry on the story, while Isobel performs the actions in the background.

 Good Night.  Your Friend - Cy Bear

Year end in sight: time to make new plans. Part One - Two New Cuddlies are here!

With Christmas 2013 almost upon us and the last Etsy orders fulfilled, and hopefully en route to reach their various destinations in time, it's now time to think about what is going to happen to www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com in 2014.  With that in mind, and realising that most of the Cuddlies models have been replaced/made in the same way since we started four years ago, - our anniversary is February 2014 -  when we had to make another Mrs. White Rabbit (Etsy Listing # 72168846) and a Mrs Brown Rabbit (Etsy Listing # 60491625) I decided that there would a modification in their appearance - to include a juicy carrot in a pocket in their respective aprons.

So, while undertaking this re-make, Cy  Bear and I decided it would be a good idea to show you how we went about this new project and this is how it went.

Each individual toy has 16 different pieces - from the skirt and top - including the arms and paws, via head (ears and all), the body- which is made separately from the clothing, and finally the apron, pocket and carrot pieces.  I decided to cut out four sets - two for the White Rabbits (seen in the back ground of the picture) and two set for the Brown Rabbits.  Readers will recall that this replacement was needed as we had an order to provide either a Brown or White Rabbit for MrsEB in Queensland, Australia.  I decided to make two of each, so that when the choice had been made, there would still be at least one of each in the Shop, before a further replacement was needed for fortunate Rabbit who had found a Forever Home.

The Brown Rabbits were to be dressed in Green Candy-striped Poplin and the White ones were made up in a Purple and White Striped/Floral Pattern which has been used for both our White and Grey Rabbits (Etsy Listing #63379098) to date, but will shortly not be available - because there is no more of it to be had!  These will have Green Felt Shoes to match the former's dresses, while the White Rabbits are going to have Black Felt versions.

(Running out of fabric is an occupational hazard when one is using off-cuts provided from my usual source in Frome, Somerset - The Fine Quality Feather Company, who are soft furnishing manufacturers with a seemingly endless supply of unusual plush faux furs and other interesting materials.  But it does also mean that one can vary the look of one's Toys as one goes along as well.  I've been lucky to date to have had the option of making several similar versions since first registering on Etsy).

To begin the construction process, and because I was making four sets of the same thing I actually decided to use my sewing machine.  That certainly sped up the process of producing the bodies, pantaloons, bodice, skirt and aprons. (It took me an evening to make the four sets, as well as the four bodies). Here the first two of each pair of Rabbits can be seen with their various bits sewn together before they get made into a finished Toy - first are those for White Rabbit.  (Once all the straight seams were done, I then reverted to my normal hand sewing activities.  It's much easier and far quicker that way!)

Next here are the same pieces made up for the Brown version.

You can see the clothing pieces are arranged on the left of the picture, with the body in the middle (with the carrot pieces ready to be stuffed and attached), then on the right of the photo are the head (rear), two ears, two shoes and the white fluffy tail.

This time around I decided to make the bodice in such a way that the paws and arms were slotted in once the front and back of each bodice had been attached at the shoulders.  The furry paws are sewn to the arms first, and then the arms are sewn in at the shoulder seams.  Then it is possible to sew the under-arm and side seams at the same time.  It results in a smoother look in the end.  You can see from the Brown Rabbit photo, that the pocket has been appliqued on to the apron, and the ribbon waistband attached.  I tidied up the side seams of the aprons with seam binding in the matching colour and when I made the skirts for each Rabbit, I attached the "Coldham Cuddlies" label at the back seam. (I cheated a little when doing the hems for both apron and skirt - by using the machine and stitching it with a wide button hole stitch, rather than hemming each item (a process I find extremely tedious when having to do it by hand!).

There is actually only one seam for each skirt, and I usually turn up the hems before attaching the skirt to the body, once that has been stuffed. The calico body has two seams at the place where the legs curve to make the hips.  One seam is a straight side-to-side and then - starting about half an inch (5cm) on each side from that straight seam, I sew a seam with a slight curve in it.  This ensures that the Lady Rabbits sit down, rather than stand - although in these cases, the material used for the aprons was sufficiently stiff to allow them to stand upright (at least for as long as it was needed to photograph the finished toys, anyway!)

Then comes the fun part - putting the various pieces together.  Now as I'm doing four Rabbits at the same time, and I don't want this post to be too long, I'm going to finish this post now - and complete the description of how the Mrs Rabbits are put together next time.

Until then - Good Night and Bless you all.   Isobel