Here Is Bear Number Thirty

On Monday I mentioned a funeral, weddings, and birthdays. After Barbara's funeral I had two sewing tasks to complete. Shortening a dress for a friend to wear at her grandson's wedding - and making another Memory Bear. I think this one is my thirtieth! Two years ago, my friend lost her partner very suddenly after twenty years. His daughter - her step-daughter - gets married today. She and my friend are very close - and I was asked if I could make a Memory Bear as a surprise for the bride - a way of remembering her precious Dad at the wedding. I had a lovely morning at F's cottage, looking through his shirts, and we talked about him.  I selected four which I felt would make a good bear, but there were a couple of special things to include - firstly his pride in his Scottish Heritage, and secondly, his love of Short Mat Bowls,

So this little chap has the family tartan on his paws and ribbon - and the bowls club badge on his side. But please could I do something with his Clan Teeshirt?

That is always a challenge, because teeshirt fabric is stretchy, and has to be stabilised if it is for a bear - and it is not wise to mix woven and stretch fabrics. I suggested making the teeshirt into a tote bag for the bear to travel in!

Oops, just spotted the thread on the badge in the photo. I assure you that is not there on the bear!

In side the backpack flap are embroidered the details of H's Dad. I do this for all my bears, usually following the same formula 

In memory of  

xxxx  

Years of Birth and Death

Made with love

for yyyy

It is so much more special if there is some sort of personalisation I think, and I hope it brings comfort. My friend was pleased with the result. I hope to see wedding photos soon.

The three birthdays - one is another good friend from church, who asked me to shorten a jumpsuit she had bought to wear at her birthday event. She has recently started using her sewing machine, and said "I ought to be able to do this for myself" I did her jumpsuit, but gave her a careful set of instructions about shortening trousers. I was so thrilled when she turned up at church, with pictures, of the second pair which she had managed to fix by herself, following my notes. "Now I won't need to ask you anymore, now you have taught me." A very good result all round. 

Tomorrow, we are going off to Nottingham to join a couple celebrating their 70th&80th birthdays. A happy family event - but also en route, we will call in at the nearby IKEA. I need a new waste bin to go under the sink in my new kitchen!