Sometimes I receive a custom order request for an item I never created before. This time it was a request for a Teddy Bear keychain commemorating a newborn baby. The customer even sent me a detailed drawing with instructions of how she would like the Teddy Bear made. I was a bit hesitant, because hand cutting rounded corners is quite difficult to get right. The rounded secure stitching along the many curved edges is also something that can fail easily if not done right. However the sheer enthusiasm of the customer made me melt and I agreed to give it a try. The customer was very excited to possibly get a Teddy Bear keychain with the baby’s initials 🙂
I made a cardboard template large enough to utilize some of my punch tools, ensuring that the corners would be evenly curved. After that I stuffed the front with special fibre even out the front and back. I glued the front on a leather piece and stitched it, before cutting the back side along the edges of the front.
First I tried out making two bears of firm leather without the stuffing, one in brown and one in sea green. Just to see how the models worked out using the punch tools. You can see the result in the very first picture in this blog.
Then I started with a stuffed model. The first sample I made was promising, but the stitching could be better. So on the next try I drew the stitching lines on the leather first. That was the trick I was looking for! Now I could finish the final example for my customer. You can se the result in the last picture. The customer already mailed me that she was very happy with the result and excited to receive it.
Teddy bear keychain custom made
You did it again! Super cute – bravo!
Thank you , Maybelene.
Was a lot of work, but the result is very nice 🙂