Oh, spring at last!
The season that brings increased daylight, warmer temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna. For many, the arrival of spring – heralding nature's renewal – is celebrated on the 1st of September. On the other hand, if you consider the vernal (or spring) equinox, then Spring officially commences on the 22nd September.
So what is an equinox?
The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, night and day are about equal length.
There are two equinoxes every year – in September and March – when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. Seasons are opposite on either side of the equator, so the equinox in September in the northern hemisphere is also known as the autumnal (or fall) equinox and in the southern hemisphere, it's known as the spring (or vernal) equinox.
Whether you celebrate Spring on the 1st or the 22nd this year, we wish you a spring that blossoms with new joys! And to encourage you to get your bears get into the swing of the new season, we're offering you the opportunity of getting your bear spruced up with our Complimentary Spring Hat Pattern.
Free Downloadable PDF!
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Click here to download the pattern from our website
Make our Spring Hat, to fit a bear about 30cm to 35cm, by downloading the pattern here, style your Schulte mohair bear with it and then send us a pic to show us just what you have done. We'd love to see them!
New Products
Nut Driver
The perfect tool for making it easy to secure your bear's locknut jointing system.
Price: R69 each, excluding postage.
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Click here to view the product on our website
How to use it
Once you have inserted the screw, washer and disc from the limb of your bear into its body, add another disc and washer, then place the locknut over the screw. Turn the locknut with your fingers as far as you can. Now you are halfway there.
Next - secure the locknut tightly onto the screw by placing the nut driver over the locknut and then, with a screwdriver in the slot of the head of the screw, turn the screwdriver clockwise whilst holding the nutdriver stable. The 'tail' of the screw should now extend beyond the edge of the locknut.
Remember, that if you don't tighten the locknut onto the screw securely, your bear's joint connection will be loose and he won't be able to sit easily or comfortably!
Test the tension
Grip the fabric of your bear's limb with one hand and the fabric of his body with your other hand, as close to the disc connection as possible, then gently turn the one disc against the other, thus testing for connection tightness. If still too loose, continue turning the screwdriver and holding the nut driver stable.
When testing the limb/body connection, the disc should be tight and almost difficult to turn the one against the other. Remember, once you have filled the bear, chances are the disc connection could loosen slightly, so ensure a firm connection at this point.
Cotter Pin Turner Medium
A medium sized cotter pin turner for your average cotter or t-pin.
Price: R69 each, excluding postage.
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Click here to view the product on our website
How to use it
Separate the 'tails' of the cotter pin a little by pulling one against the other to create a 'v'. Place the end of one 'tail' of the cotter or t-pin in the slot at the top of the cotter pin turner, ensuring that the end of the tail just extends beyond the slit in the rod. Grip the cotter pin turner handle firmly and with a twist of your wrist, gently roll the tail down on to the disc to secure. Repeat for the other 'tail'. Easy!
Note: This sized cotter pin turner is good to use with cotter and t-pins that have a 2.0mm and 2.5mm diameter, but is not suitable for heavy duty cotter and t-pins, ie. those with a thicker 3mm and 4mm diameter.
Wonder Clips
Price: R40 for 5 clip pack. R75 for 10 clip pack.
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Click here to view the 5 pack of clips on our website
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Click here to view the 10 pack of clips on our website
These amazing clips hold layered sections of fabric securely while sewing. Each clip is marked with a 7mm (1/4") and 12mm (1/2") seam allowance marking, enabling you to stitch the different widths with ease. It's flat base will facilitate the feeding of the fabric under the presser foot. NB: Do remember to remove the clip just before feeding the fabric under the presser foot or you could end up with a serious collision!
Use when stitching fur shapes together and also for general sewing such as binding and piping.
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Price: R35 each, excluding postage.
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Click here to view the product on our website
An all-purpose, non-toxic, water-based tacky glue that dries clear and works well with all your crafts and hobbies. Use it in bearmaking by:
- dabbing a little on your bear's snout before stitching his nose so that it grips the thread and enables you to embroider it with ease.
- securing lids and eyelashes to your bear's eyes.
- Squeezing the tube to make application easy.
Beary warm regards
Eunice & Di
