The Sewing, Knitting & Crafts Workshop, Greyville, Durban
From Thursday to Saturday, 29 – 31 March, 2012
Visit Teddytech at Stand No 34
We'll be demonstrating how to make quick, easy and inexpensive gift items. As always we will have a selection of bearmaking supplies, kits, patterns, fillings etc. If you are travelling from out of town and have any particular items you would like to collect from us at the show, please phone or email us and we will gladly pre-pack it for you to collect.
This is the 22nd year of the well-established Sewing, Knitting & Crafts Workshop so if you'd like to visit and get inspiration for starting a new hobby, contact Kim Dunbar on tel/fax: 031-3058844 or email: mudworm (at) saol (dot) com for more information.
If you can't attend the show, diarise to visit our website towards the end of March to view some of our available Crafts Workshop kits.
Bearmaking and Quilting Workshops
Learn a new technique in bearmaking and expand your repertoire
All workshops held at 49 Florida Road, Durban
Tea/coffee/refreshments served
Focus on Facial Features Workshop – 1 session: R75
Tuesday, 10th April, 2012 9am – 12 noon
Saturday: 21st April, 2012: 9am – 12 noon
Give your bear that professional finish by enhancing it's facial features! We'll teach you different techniques with emphasis on your bear's eyes, ears, nose, snout and shape of his face. A list of requirement/sewing supplies will be supplied when booking. Excludes kit.
Make your bear a little Patchwork Quilt – 2 sessions: R100
Wednesday Mornings, 11th & 18th April.
Time: 9am – 12 noon
Wednesday Evenings, April 11th & 18th.
Time: 5pm – 8pm (light snacks provided)
Excludes fabrics for quilt. Optional Pre-cut Quilt Kit: R60 (or bring your own fabrics)
Make a little quilt for your teddy to sit on — or keep him warm in winter! No previous patchwork experience needed. You'll learn a combination of basic techniques such as strip quilting, hand applique and basic quilting. We've expanded this workshop to 2 sessions as there is a lot to cover. All fabrics to complete the quilt are included.
Say Aaaah! ... the Open-Mouth Bear Class (Two sessions)
Saturday morning: 12th & 19th May.
Time: 9 – 12 noon
Challenge yourself to make something different! Binky or Tatym, our friendly, open-mouth bears would be interesting additions to your collection.
Come in to Teddytech and select a kit.
Cost R100 for 2-sessions excludes cost of kit.
Finnegan
A funky bear-fellow with the "luck o' the Irish"!
→ Click here to find Finnegan kits & patterns on our website.
Finnegan was created in celebration of St. Patrick's Day and certainly had the "luck o' the Irish" with him when he found a rare 4-leaved shamrock! It is said that the odds of finding a four-leaf clover have been calculated at 10,000 to 1, so Finnegan has decided to ensure his continued good luck by hanging it around his neck.
What prompted Finnegan's design? Well, while some bearmakers like traditionally styled bears, others prefer them a little way-out and wacky. We thought we'd compromise and create a bear that has a hint of modernism to his design and so decided to give him an extra long snout. Maybe that's the reason he managed to sniff out that four-leaf clover!
You can make Finnegan from our latest pattern (or purchase a kit) and see if any of that Irish luck rubs off on you.
Finnegan's kit includes Steiff-Schulte Mohair, joint discs and connectors, glass eyes, Ultrasuede for trims, embroidery thread for his nose, mouth, claw detail as well as the pattern, photo and instructions.
Kit (excludes filling) is R225 incl VAT
Postage cost is excluded.
St Patrick's Day has just come and gone but did you know...
- The Shamrock is a 3-Leaf Clover and is Ireland's most recognized national symbol.
- In the 5th century, St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, used a Shamrock — which has three leaves — to explain the Holy Trinity.
- The Shamrock is worn on St. Patrick's day and all other special occasions to celebrate his work and to bring "a bit o'luck" to the Irish.
- For good luck, it's usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom.
The Month of March ... and a Hare of our own!
Arriving soon — Hopkin Hare
As we are already beyond midway in the month of March, the common English phrase "Mad as a March Hare" comes to mind.
It is said to be based on the hare's behaviour at the beginning of the long breeding season in Britain. Unreceptive females often use their forelegs to repel over-enthusiastic males... making the males 'mad' as they fight for breeding supremacy.
Perhaps this was Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the March Hare character which appears in the tea party scene in his book: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
"The March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won't be raving mad — at least not so mad as it was in March."
We decided it was time to add a hare to our range of patterns too. Our hare definitely won't be a 'mad' one, but will be more refined and genteel. He will need to be, as he will be part of the Toybox Teddies & Friends Range of characters. And that little gang will soon put him in his place if he steps out of line!
Look out for Hopkin Hare towards the end of the month - just in time for you to make him for Easter.
