There's nothing more annoying than having ripples on the back seams while giving the final touches to your bear. Well, here are some helpful hints: Try not to stuff your bear too full before starting to close the seam, you can add a little more just about when you're ready to stitch your last couple of stitches. With the help of a needle (I use a long darner), and some upholstery thread, start at one end, from the inside of your bear's seam Then with ladder stitch start closing the seam. See how I have my finger between the stuffing and the fur I'm stitching. This is important, as you should try to avoid catching any stuffing with your needle. This will prevent you from easily pulling on your thread later on Make sure that the stitching is done evenly on both sides . ...as evenly as you possibly can... Place a little more stuffing inside your bear (if it needs it), before stitching the last few stitches I usually don't pull the thread till the entire seam has been stitched. Then I hold the part of the bear I'm working on, and I squiz gently while pulling the thread Some wrinkles may appear if you've pulled the thread too tight. If this happens, rub your finger or finger nail over the seam to smooth it out Make a couple of knots Then insert the needle right inside the knots you've made and pull the needle anywhere out of the part of the bear you're working on Cut the thread close to the fur. Brush the fur with a fur brush and VOILA!!
