Ruth Hasman, a retired seamstress based in Vancouver, B.C., has devoted her post-career years to mending a wide range of teddy bear ailments, from pet damages to missing components to excessive wear and tear. With nearly two decades of experience, Hasman estimates that she has restored thousands of stuffed animals from various regions in North America.
Her home serves as a makeshift hospital and spa for stuffed toys, adorned with stuffed toy parts, buttons, eyes, and fur strewn across surfaces and walls. Services offered by Hasman include fur grafts, eyeball replacements, stuffing replenishments, and spa treatments. She goes the extra mile for her clients, often scouring numerous thrift stores to source the perfect fabric for repairs.
Each teddy bear presents a unique challenge for Hasman, who treats them as individual projects. She finds joy in unraveling the stories behind the toys, many of which hold sentimental value for their owners. One remarkable repair involved a 115-year-old bear that had been cherished through five family generations.
One of Hasman’s satisfied customers, Vedrana Petrovic, praised the transformation of her plush golden retriever, Sylvester, back to its original state after a decade of wear and tear. Petrovic recounted how Sylvester, her emotional support during university, was nearly beyond repair before Hasman’s intervention.
Hasman’s dedication to teddy bear restoration extends beyond her own practice, as she is currently mentoring a counterpart in Maple Ridge, grooming them to potentially take over her business in the future. However, until that time comes, Hasman pledges to continue her craft, driven by the heartfelt stories that each teddy bear carries.
From repairing beloved companions to preserving cherished memories, Ruth Hasman’s commitment to reviving stuffed animals embodies a blend of artistry and compassion that resonates deeply with her clients.