Stuffing for bears

[Andre007]

I have this mad idea bout using straw to fix an old teddy bear that i have. It will not be much stuffing and i really only want to fix it.:D

Can this be done, or will the straw eventually go to powder form and just fall out the material that the bear is made of.
I`m really only looking for a quick fix to this small problem..

[elize]

I have this mad idea bout using straw to fix an old teddy bear that i have. It will not be much stuffing and i really only want to fix it.:D

Can this be done, or will the straw eventually go to powder form and just fall out the material that the bear is made of.
I`m really only looking for a quick fix to this small problem..

I do not think straw will work that well. Straw is hard and might make holes in the body of the bear - specially if it is old. Try woodwool as an alternative or an artificial filling.

[Izzy Bear]

:eek:NO NO NO:eek: Pleae dont use straw especially if your bear is in need of repair, as its "skin" would be damaged by the harshness of straw. I have been restoring bears for 30+ years and have lost count of the number of people who INSIST that THEIR bear is stuffed with straw. Well once and for all IT IS NOT!!! The stuffing that looks like straw is well aged woodwool.

It is made of pine usually and as this ages it takes on the brown/goldenappearance that you see poking out of holes in your bears skin. Woodwool is no where near as harsh a material as straw and even I would only use it in bears that are still strong. In elderly and damaged bears I always top up its stuffing with best quality polyester stuffing as this is soft and gentle on the fabric but can still give a firm result when used properly.

Hope this helps and if anyone else has any restoring questions please feel free to ask.;)

[theprofessor]

Good advice. Andre, how about a picture of your straw bear? Jacques

:eek:NO NO NO:eek: Pleae dont use straw especially if your bear is in need of repair, as its "skin" would be damaged by the harshness of straw. I have been restoring bears for 30+ years and have lost count of the number of people who INSIST that THEIR bear is stuffed with straw. Well once and for all IT IS NOT!!! The stuffing that looks like straw is well aged woodwool.

It is made of pine usually and as this ages it takes on the brown/goldenappearance that you see poking out of holes in your bears skin. Woodwool is no where near as harsh a material as straw and even I would only use it in bears that are still strong. In elderly and damaged bears I always top up its stuffing with best quality polyester stuffing as this is soft and gentle on the fabric but can still give a firm result when used properly.

Hope this helps and if anyone else has any restoring questions please feel free to ask.;)

[Blondheart]

In theory you could use straw, but it would be far better to use excelsior. Just make sure you soak it in water over night and let it dry completely before you stuff the bear with it.

[Andre007]

Guys thanks for the advice. :Winking: A question: Is woodwool and excelsior the same thing?

[Pietero]

Excelsior and wood wool is the same thing.

[oldbearsandfriends]

I totally agree, straw is not a good thing to use to restore an old Ted, for one as already stated it will damage your Ted’s skin and it smells like a barn and is rather crunchy and gives the wrong look, I guess I would really take a good look at my old Ted and ask dose he really need to be restuffed, for me unless it is a matter of conservation I don’t like to change the aged look of my old guys, I consider this to be part of their character and renos can (sometimes) ruin this.. :( maybe a nice jumper or dress might hold him/her in?

But! Having said that, he's your Ted and you need to be happy with him,:love: so excelsior is the best idea.:very happy: