Ruth Hasman, a retired seamstress based in Vancouver, B.C., has devoted her time to repairing a wide variety of teddy bear issues, ranging from pet damage to missing parts and excessive wear and tear. For nearly two decades, she has been restoring old and broken stuffed animals from all over North America.
Hasman’s home is filled with stuffed toy parts, buttons, eyes, and fur, serving as a makeshift hospital and spa for these beloved toys. Offering services such as fur grafts, eyeball replacements, stuffing replenishments, and spa treatments, she goes the extra mile for her clients, often scouring thrift stores to find the perfect fabric match.
Each teddy bear presents a unique challenge for Hasman, who takes pride in learning the stories behind these toys, some of which hold great sentimental value. One of her most memorable repairs was a 115-year-old bear passed down through five generations in a family.
One of Hasman’s recent clients, Vedrana Petrovic, praised her for the remarkable restoration of her plush golden retriever, Sylvester, obtained from IKEA a decade ago. Petrovic was amazed by the transformation, as Sylvester had been deflated and worn out before his visit to the teddy bear hospital.
Despite training a successor in Maple Ridge, Hasman plans to continue her teddy bear restoration work for as long as possible, driven by the emotional connections and stories tied to each bear she repairs.