The teddy bear is one of the world's most beloved stuffed animals. Its furry body, soulful eyes, and padded paws are adored everywhere by children and adults alike. Teddy bears are bedtime friends, lifetime comforters, and adorable collectibles. From the traditional to the fanciful, this book is a comprehensive guide to creating your very own heirloom bears. Everything you need is provided in this step-by-step visual directory. Instructions and photographs lead you through designing bears, working with patterns, stitching the various pieces, inserting joints, stuffing your bear and giving it features, antiquing a finished bear, and clothing it. There is also a section on specialised techniques for working in smaller scale to make miniature bears. An inspirational gallery section showcases a collection of delightful bears selected for their importance in the bear making tradition, and demonstrates the styles and techniques discussed in the book. For beginners or more advanced teddy-bear makers, The Encyclopedia of Teddy Bear Making Techniques is a comprehensive guide to making original, creative, appealing, and unique teddy bears you will cherish for a lifetime. - A fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to more than 50 teddy-bear making techniques - Includes professional guidance on all aspects of teddy-bear making, from designing and cutting out patterns to special finishing techniques - Offers expert advice and useful ideas for achieving imaginative and professional results - Provides an inspirational gallery of finished bears from the best traditional and contemporary bear makers