A Simple Explanation of the Double Joint

 

A little more advanced, but once you see how itπs done, it's very simple.

 

Let's start with the neck. The standard bear pattern gathers the fabric at the bottom edge of the head around the cotter pin or screw. The gathered head is then jointed to the body. Joining the rounded head to the rounded body gives the bear a kind of "snow-man" look. This works fine for your basic teddy bear.

 

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

 

A more realistic bear's head would blend more gradually into the neck and shoulders. This effect can be accomplished by adding a flat circle of fabric at the bottom edge of the head instead of gathering.

 

Diagram 3

 

And, instead of sewing completely around the body, leave the top (neck) edge open and also add a flat circle of fabric to the opening.

 

Diagram 4

 

When the flat head bottom and body top are jointed together, they blend much more naturally.

 

Diagram 5

 

The Double Neck Joint

 

Using the head from diagram 3 and the body from diagram 4, we can now create a separate neck piece to fit between the two. A simple cylinder of fabric, with a flat circle of fabric on either end. (For visualization purposes, picture an empty toilet paper roll (only shorter) with flat circles to cover the ends.)

 

Diagram 6

 

One end will be jointed to the head, and the other jointed to the body.

 

We want our bear to be in proper proportion. The fabric circle on the head (head/neck) should be a bit smaller than the fabric circle on the body (neck/shoulders). The circles on either end of the neck piece should match, having a smaller circle on top (jointed to the head) and a larger circle on the bottom (jointed to the body).

 

Diagram 7

 

In order to allow this bear to raise and lower his head, as well as turn it side to side, we will have to further modify the neck piece. Instead of cutting the neck out of a rectangle which would form a perfect cylinder (short toilet paper roll), we will cut the neck into an elongated diamond shape.

 

Diagram 8

 

When the short edges are sewn together and the flat circles are sewn onto the ends, the neck will be more of a wedge shape.

 

Diagram 9

 

Joint this wedge shaped neck between the head and body of your bear. Keeping the head and body still, rotate the wedge shape and your bear's head will rise up and down, while turning just his head allows him to look side to side.

 

Diagram 10   (Down)         Diagram 11 (Up)

 

Because the proportions are difficult to master, designing a double jointed neck can be a difficult task for a beginner. However, once you can picture how it works, putting together a bear with a double jointed neck is not so hard.