Teddy bear surgery

January 25, 2012 10:36 AM

Emergency stuffed animal surgery required -- halp!

There is a Someone in the house in a near-panic because her teddy bear's head is falling off and his fluffy white guts are in danger of falling out everywhere. I've been insisting that the teddy bear is fine, but according to Someone this is a VERY CRITICAL ISSUE that can't wait any longer. It appears I need to either find a teddy bear surgeon or perform the neck surgery myself.

Sooo ... how do I go about saving Someone's teddy bear? I'm more or less in the boonies, so I'll probably have to do it myself. What stitch do I use? Thread? How do I anchor it? How do I convince Someone that no, we really don't need to put band-aids on the teddy bear's neck until it heals?

placed in 'human relations' as a compromise because I just can't quite justify Someone's request to put it in the 'doctor group'

posted by Heretical to Human Relations (16 answers total)

I'd probably go with a ladder stitch, though if the bear's fur is fluffy enough, you can whipstitch it (and the fur will hide the stitches). Good luck!
posted by chowflap at 10:42 AM on January 25, 2012

Is the fabric at the seam fraying, or is it just that the stitching is coming out?

If the latter, I would use a blind stitch and regular all-purpose thread. To anchor it you can just tie a knot in the thread and hide it on the inside of the fabric by making your first stitch come out from the inside.

(On preview: aha, a ladder stitch -- so that's the term for what I meant.)
posted by enlarged to show texture at 10:44 AM on January 25, 2012

Teddy really needs a cloth scarf to keep her/his neck warm. Sew it on using whatever stitch you know how to use. It will make the neck stronger so it doesn't come apart as easily. I remember using a piece of soft chamois leather to fix another such friend many years ago.
posted by mareli at 10:45 AM on January 25, 2012

Button & carpet thread is the strongest thing to use in these circumstances. It's thicker than ordinary thread so you may need to acquire a needle with a larger-than-normal eye. You should be able to use some sort of blind hem stitch so the threads aren't visible through the fur. Whatever stitch you use, though, make them small so that the seam is pretty strong. Then try to move some of the stuffing into the neck area, as further reinforcement.
posted by DrGail at 10:46 AM on January 25, 2012

Sometimes it is best to seek professional help. Hanna Bruce Bears & Teddy Hospital is very highly recommended.
posted by ChrisHartley at 10:46 AM on January 25, 2012

nothing wrong with stitching it up and then using a bandaid if the kid thinks its necessary. later, if there are any 'scars' if your needlework is as bad as mine, you can get a pretty ribbon to tie around its neck.

then if you're feeling morbid one halloween you can read that 'scary story' about the girl with the ribbon around her neck, you know which one I'm talking about?
posted by saraindc at 10:51 AM on January 25, 2012

Is the thread breaking or is the fabric ripping? If the thread is breaking, use strong thread. If the fabric is ripping, you actually don't want to use very strong thread, since it can contribute to wearing out the fabric (it can saw through the individual fabric threads). Thread is much easier to fix than worn or torn fabric!
posted by soelo at 10:53 AM on January 25, 2012

I would use Powerpoint (or whatever) to generate an official certificate saying you have successfully completed the Teddy Bear Surgery program, and now you are fully qualified to diagnose and treat the bear. And then you take advice above about how to fix him.

Bandaids aren't great because they're sticky, but some gauze from a first-aid kit would be fine to wrap around the bear's neck (and head) after sewing, to let the bear "heal" until he tells Someone he's feeling better. Vet-wrap could also work, it clings to itself and comes in cool colors.
posted by lizbunny at 11:04 AM on January 25, 2012

I like ladder stitch PLUS the sewed-on (beyond the initial stitched neck area in both directions) scarf. For the neck-sewing, use a strong nylon carpet string or dental floss. Good luck!
posted by zem at 11:08 AM on January 25, 2012

If you need to add more stuffing, use old pantyhose.
posted by essexjan at 11:29 AM on January 25, 2012

I speak from experience here, as one who has saved a fully decapitated bunny:

If the patient in question is furry/fuzzy, it's amazing how well the stitches will disappear under the fuzz and be completely invisible, especially in a tight joint like the neck. Test him out, if you can--just take a couple stitches somewhere so you know what you're dealing with.

I'd recommend something stronger than standard thread--DrGail's advice on the button/carpet thread is right on target. Color may not matter, again based on the thickness of the critter's plush. I used plain old white on a pink critter and it was fine.

I'm pretty much a blind stitch advocate for everything, so that should work--but based on your plush level you may not even have to do anything particularly pretty.

A nice ribbon around the neck afterwards adds a cheerful touch even if it isn't necessary to hide any stitchwork.
posted by dlugoczaj at 11:45 AM on January 25, 2012

We once "cleaned" a critically important stuffed animal by purchasing an exact match on eBay, popping the old one in the wash with some clothes, pulling a switcheroo, and, with a flourish, removing the new one from the dryer. If the bear's neck seam fabric is threadbare (threadbear?) or the repair is otherwise difficult, you could try that.

Perhaps you could give the bear to a friend who's "really good at fixing things" for a half hour, and have them pull the switch?

Of course, this removes any character possessed by the much-loved original. It may be better to re-sew, or even patch, the original if the kid will accept that. (Ours wouldn't.)
posted by richyoung at 12:26 PM on January 25, 2012

My teddy (he's a day younger than me, which makes him... oooh over 40) needed several surgeries in earlier life. He started off needing a new nose after I pulled the plastic one off, so out came the triangles of felt and blanket stitch. Then his neck started "oozing", so he needed a bit of surgery followed by a stitched on cravat (purple, to match his new nose) - it was the seventies! Finally, he had a whole suit made out of furry fabric - trousers stitched on, and a jacket which does come off, but since his arms are quite bent out of shape, isn't advisable. My mum did a fantastic job with his healthcare in my youth, but then she was a qualified medical practitioner (a radiographer).

He now enjoys his retirement scaring the hell out of my husband who calls him "freaky teddy".
posted by car01 at 2:13 PM on January 25, 2012

Replacing the original is not very possible. This bear is over twenty years old, I have no idea where the hell it originally came from, and it definitely shows signs of aging. I think it was just the stitching that gave out. He's not a super furry bear, but I think a ladder stitch with some carpet thread may be the answer and I know where to get those things.

I may have to consider that vet's tape, just to soothe Someone's anxiety. I'd even consider tossing the bear in the wash and replacing the stuffing, except I think Someone would have a heart attack and/or murder me in my sleep if I did that. (Putting the baby blanket in the wash requires a formal ceremony or there is Hell To Pay.)

honestly, why are small people so difficult sometimes
posted by Heretical at 2:32 PM on January 25, 2012

I busted my Mom once washing my stuffed animals. I freaked out on her, but I forgave her. ;)

Maybe you can tell Someone that the stitches need to "breathe", so band-aids aren't necessary? (I'm not sure if I would have gone for that as a kid.)

I have the bear I got in 1979 when I was 4 in a box now. He's falling apart. I kinda want to give him a bonfire burial one day.
posted by luckynerd at 9:35 PM on January 25, 2012

Heretical: "honestly, why are small people so difficult sometimes"

Would you want your best friend, your major source of comfort and protection and love, put in the noisy, wet, scary washer?

I can't even bring myself to wash my beloved bear for fear of damaging her. Maybe Dr. Hanna is the best idea.
posted by IndigoRain at 2:45 AM on January 26, 2012