For
a very long time I have been struggling with double neck joints. This
week I finally figured out the solution to my problems. The whole idea
of a double neck joint (at least for me) is so that the bear can turn
his neck up into cute inquisitive bear poses. That means that the neck
must be cut into a wedge shape. The joints must fit perfectly in neck,
the wedge opening must match up perfectly with the head (especially the
head) and the body openings. That is where my trouble always has been.
In the past I tried to cut the wedge as two pieces. I would struggle
and struggle getting it to match up.
Now this may be common knowledge, and I am coming in here late, but here is what I finally figured out.
I drew the bear
I cut the bear up where I wanted the neck to turn, right behind the ear.
I added a seam allowance to bottom of neck, both top and bottom of wedge, top of neck.
In the PAST I always cut the gusset to the bottom of the head.
This time I left the gusset long, (I always leave it too long anyway so I didn't have to worry about a seam allowance)
When
I was done sewing the head together, I found the joint that fit
perfectly in the whole and then I cut off the extra length of gusset.
I then sewed that extra gusset piece to the two side neck pieces. The neck wedge fit perfectly with the three pieces.
The opening sizes all matched up perfectly!!! Yeah!!
The next dilemma, How to get the disks into the neck
Find disks
that fit perfectly into the head and neck holes, In this case the top
of the neck is larger where it attaches to the head then where it
attaches to the body, so I have used two different sizes. A larger size
for the top of the neck and head, and a slightly smaller size for the
bottom of the neck and body.
They must fill the hole completely (otherwise you will see the felt and the seam)
Using the disks as a template trace around, then add seam allowance.
Using the disks as a template trace around, then add seam allowance.
I have used wool felt for this
You need two for the top joint and two for the bottom joint,
Sew disks to openings following the lines you traced, (the exact size lines)
Sew disks to openings following the lines you traced, (the exact size lines)
Now for the jointing
Superglue the washer and bolt to two disks, one for the head and one for the bottom neck.
Cut the felt open in an + pattern in the head.
Stuff the head through the cut felt
When full place the disk with the bolt attached into the neck opening, and stitch closed
Attaching the neck
Cut open bottom part of neck the same way you did the head, through the felt
Put top neck disk through hole in felt. Place on bolt, add washer and nut, tighten
Stuff neck
Place disk with bolt attached into hole, and sew up just like you did to head
Place disk under felt in neck hole of body
Attach with washer and nut
