How to Make Your Own Teddies

Instructions and Guidelines

• 1

  Find a teddy bear sewing pattern. There are many available online, which you can find with a Google search for "free teddy bear pattern." Sites like sewing.org have teddy bear patterns as well.

  Print out or draw your teddy bear pattern to the desired scale.

• 2

  Use the pattern to cut out the bear&'s basic component shapes: stomach, arms, legs head and ears. For each body part, you will need two identical shapes (two panels for one arm, for example).

• 3

  Sew the torso, legs and arms. Use a sewing machine to sew a seam around the edge of each body part, but leave a small slit open for stuffing--with a leg, for example, leave open the part that attaches to the body. With the body, leave open the part that attaches to the head, and so on.

• 4

  Sew the head as well. Many patterns contain a complicated head pattern; if these patterns seem too complicated, it is possible to make a head from two panels. They should be round and have one part that tapers into a point for the nose (like a paisley leaf pattern).

• 5

  Turn each panel inside out, so that the seams and hem are on the inside. Use stuffing to give the teddy bear body shape.

  Assemble the bear and sew each body part to the body. Add decorative details like eyes and nose with embroidery thread or buttons. You can also add personal touches like hats or bow ties.