DIY Brother and Sister Teddy Bears

I wanted to make a couple of old fashioned Teddy Bears for the grandkids out of a remnant of flannel, but I began with a high tech twist. I looked for a free pattern on-line. I found a great site for Teddy Bear lovers: www.iloveteddies.com. The site has the history and lore of the teddy bear, as well as tips and advice for making your own stuffed animal. Under "Teddy Bear Making" you can click on patterns. I followed the link "My Old Friends" and found a very simple pattern, but no instructions! So, I thought I might share with you some step by step instructions from my own experience. This project only involves about 7 short seams sewn by machine, and some hand sewing to put together the parts. Three-quarters of a yard of felt, some polyester fiberfill plus black and colored embroidery thread are all the supplies you need.

I enlarged the pattern by 50%. This made about a ten-inch bear - just the right size for a toddler! I also used felt, not plus, because it is easier to work with. After cutting out all the pieces as marked on the patterns, I started sewing together the limbs. Remember to sew right sides together! I used about a ¼" seam allowance.

For the legs, I left the bottom of the feet open to stuff. For the arms, I did a little experimentation and did each bear a little different. For the "boy" bear, I left a small opening near the top on the inside of the curve. For the "girl" bear, I left the opening on the outside of the curve. Then I sewed the body together, leaving about two inches open on the back.

Finally I was ready to tackle the three-piece head, with the dreaded "gusset." This third piece, which goes right between the eyes, is necessary to give the head round look. The gusset has a pointy end, and a rounded end, The pointed end goes between the nose shape on the head pieces. To keep the sides even, I sewed first one side of the nose, then the other. Then, I went back to the first side and, carefully following the curve, sewed the rest of the gusset to each side of the head. Then, there was a tiny seam that connected the two head pieces together, forming Teddy's chin. Be sure the neck is left open.

Now, all I had was the two tiny ears to sew together, and I was done with the machine sewing! I used a contrasting material for one side of each ear. Sew along the curve, leaving the bottom open.

Next, it's time to put it all together and make a bear! I stuffed the head, to make it easier to handle. Stuff it well to give it a nice stiff shape. Using black embroidery thread and a slip stitch a nose. I also used embroidery thread for the eyes, blue for the "boy" and "green for the "girl." As these bears were intended for very small children, I didn't want buttons or eyes that could be pried off and swallowed. The ears each take a pinch of stuffing. Fold under the rough edges as you slip stitches them in place with regular, matching thread.

Stuff the limbs. Sew the feet closed, again with a slipstitch that encloses the rough edges. Stuff the body and sew on the legs. Stuff the arms and sew on to the body, joining the opening on the arms onto the shoulders of the body. As you are sewing, be sure to turn the rough edges in. Sew the head onto the body in the same way, and then sew up the opening on the back. You now have a naked bear!

To give the brother and sister bears more character; I used pink and red felt to make a feminine cape and a manly vest. For the cape you need a piece of felt about 71/2" X 9", 15" of ruffled lace, 24" of 1" ribbon, and a 6" snippet of ¼" elastic. For the vest, use a 6" X 9" of red felt and about 24" of ¼" ribbon. I had some darling blue and red plaid that made a nice contrast.

The cape is simple. Along on of the shorter edges, sew 7" of the ruffle. Four inches from the top, sew on the ribbon. Center the ribbon, so there is plenty of ribbon each side to form the ties. Sew the ribbon to the felt, along each side of the ribbon forming a casing. Fold the top in half, and right sides together, sew together, forming the hood. Sew the rest of the lace-ruffle along the opening. Finish by pulling the elastic through the casing, stretching it to fit and sew in place.

To begin the vest, cut into one of the wide edge 3", and then cut out a small circle for the neck. Fold in half the long way, and sew each side up about 3", leaving about an inch open as armholes. Two one-inch scraps of ribbon make fake pockets on each side of the opening. Center the remaining ribbon, around the neck hole, again leaving plenty on each side to form the ties.

Now dress your bears, and send them on their way, knowing plenty of love has been sew inside!