How to Give a Vintage Teddy New Life
Today you are going to meet Ted. He is a vintage Teddy Bear that was living a rather sad life in the dark, tucked into an old toybox with a bunch of other vintage toys. Being a cute little vintage teddy, he was rescued by my 8 year old daughter after I bought the toy box at an auction. I bought the box and everything in it for $5. Becca wanted the bear and I finally caved and let her have it.
As cute as he is time had been rather hard on Ted (side note – he was named by Becca, my 8 year old) and his ‘issues’ soon surfaced. Becca became immediately attached to him after I said she could have him. He was constantly with her that day and she slept with him that night. The next day Becca started in with a runny nose and a cough. I figured it was allergies and treated her for that. Then we saw something on tv about natural remedies and they mentioned stuffed animals having dust mites in them and that you could put them in ziplock bags and put them in the freezer to kill the dust mites.
Since I had thought of that bear being the cause of the allergies being stirred up we decided Ted needed a night in the freezer. So Ted ‘took a trip to Alaska’.
Miss Larke, at 10 1/2 years old thought Ted was ‘creepy’. Not sure why but she didn’t want her sister keeping him and she thought the whole ‘Alaska trip’ was silly too. When he came out of the freezer, she picked him up and sniffed him really hard. She thought he smelled old and like the freezer. The next day she had a runny nose and hers escalated into a fever trying to fight off whatever it was that Mr. Ted was carrying.
Time to take things up a notch and really get to the root of whatever was going on here. Time to give Ted a new life.
On the back of Ted you could see where the final seam was handstitched to close him up after he was stuffed.
I cut through that stitching to open him back up and perform his ‘surgery’.
All the stuffing was removed and thrown away.
And now Ted was rather skinny and flat. Time to wash him up and detox him good!
We turned him inside out and got all the loose pieces of stuffing off.
I washed him by hand in the kitchen sink using my homemade laundry soap and thieves essential oil, which kills all manner of germs.
After he was thoroughly washed and wrung as dry as possible Becca and I used a beach towl to dry him a bit more.
Lay on towl and cover with part of the towl.
Roll up inside the towl.
Squeeze to pull water out of ‘bear skin’ into the towl.
We hung him up to dry and the next day he was nice and clean and fluffy and ready for new stuffing.
Becca had stuffing that she uses when she crafts so we used that.
Stuff through opening, pushing the stuffing up into the head and into the legs and arms before filling his tummy.
As you stuff, work it from the outside to make sure he doesn’t get all lumpy and the stuffing is all distributed evenly.
I used topstitching thread to sew him up. It’s a bit heavier and I had it on hand.
And just like that he was all clean, new, and ready for Becca to play with – allergy free.
Ted was quite grateful even though his expression never changed.
He is delighted to be played with again and so very glad to be loved by a cute little 8-year-old, whose expression did change – to very delighted.
Ted was a trooper. He endured a ‘trip to Alaska’ major surgery, a healing bath, and a stuffing transplant.
Ted is happy to be loved again. Becca is happy that Ted is clean and healthy and ready to be played with.
And now you know how to revitalize an old teddy bear 😀
Jill
Follow along with me here:
So glad Ted has found a happy home once more!
We are too Laura! I actually had Ted in the garage sale I had a few weeks ago but my daughter begged to keep him so I relented. I kind of like it that she is developing a love for old things!
Oh, the tales that Ted could tell if only he could talk! So glad that Ted has been revitalized and has now found some loving arms! Adorable pics of your sweet daughter and Ted!
I know, wouldn’t it be fun if they could tell us who all they have been loved by?!
Ted certainly cleaned up nicely! Your stitches on the back are better then the ones poor Ted had before – you are quite the surgeon!!! Now Ted is a fitting companion for your beautiful daughter Becca!!!
Aww, thanks Susan! Stuffed animal surgery I can do!
Great idea~ I have a few stuffed toys from Brian and I’s childhood that need freshened up! I hadn’t even thought about redoing the stuffing. Thanks for the idea and tip.
I hadn’t really thought of restuffing him till the girls both had allergies kick in and I was pretty sure it had to do with the bear! It really wasn’t hard at all to do either!
You are just SO sweet to do that for her!!!! I think he’s pretty cute!
He is pretty cute! For some reason Larke thinks he’s creepy – all old toys are creepy to her! But Becca loves him and it’s fun to see him being played with!
What an adorable teddy bear, is he coral or red or pink? Hard to tell sometimes on monitor what color things are really. You are a professional teddy bear surgeon, great job reviving him, bet Teddy bear feels much better. Your daughter is so pretty, boy you’re gonna have your hands full with 3 gorgeous girls.
What are you working on this week?
I’m working on cleaning out/ organizing the suburban where I store too much stuff, it needs it badly.
What am I going to do with you.? Sogenerous and sweet, loving,I feel so privileged to have you for a friend. I got tears in my eyes when I opened the box I got today. You certainly didn’t have to send me the wheat grass seeds let alone all the goodies, like Christmas. I’ve been feeling kinda down and believe me you sure cured me quickly. Will you let me at least reimburse you for the postage? I’d love to since you did all you did.
Haven’t gotten to talk to my youngest son for at least 2 yrs. Yesterday our son in law came to get hubs to go motor cycle riding out in desert north of G.J. some of sil’s friends were out there and so were my son and grandson. I didn’t get to see/talk to them but at least know they’re ok. wish hubs had had the digital camera with him. Son had to leave for Singapore this a.m. early, he’ll be gone for 3 wks then home again for 3 weeks. He asked for phone #’s for both of us, said he’ll call when he gets back. Both son/grandson spent much time with hubs. It was a guys day out in desert. I’m glad hubs got to see them. SIl took him out there as a surprise.
Well better get back to my project outside. Wind is blowing like a hurricane for crying out loud. At least it’ll keep the skeeters away while I’m out there. Hubs and I put our shade canopy up so I didn’t have to work in hot sun. So much to go thru then it’ll be the shed, yikes. Rather do it now than in heat of July and August. Take care and thank you. Happy week
Again, Jill thank you so much for your kindness. Happy week.
Glad you enjoyed the box of goodies JaneEllen! And don’t you worry about the shipping – it’s a ‘business expense’ heehee!! 😉
Ted reminds me of that old blue and yellow bear we used to have. He went on quite a journey! His story should surely be turned into a children’s book!
I am captivated and in love with the photos of Becca and Ted. I want a printed one! Oh, you should get a tintype done!!! {Except they are pricey}
I love the photos too! I will look into the tintype – that would be fun!
darling story… you are an amazing mama!
Well I’m not sure how amazing but I did manage to get this project done for her!