How to Make Miniature Teddy Bears
Personalizing a homemade teddy bear turns a plain toy into a gift from the heart. Teddy bears earned their name from Theodore Roosevelt. A cartoon of the then-U.S. president refusing to shoot a baby bear is believed to have begun the generation-spanning trend of fuzzy friends. For modern times, miniatures of the originals find grace with collectors and crafters.
Things You'll Need
- Felt or fuzzy material
- Teddy bear form
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sewing pins
- Fabric marker
- Stuffing
- Pre-made eyes
- Embroidery thread
- Embroidery needle
- Additional decorations
Instructions
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1
Print or draw the outline of a teddy bear onto regular or tracing paper. Cut out the print. The size of the cut-out depends on how small you desire your miniature to be.
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2
Pin your cut pattern to fuzzy or felt material. Trace and cut the pattern two times.
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3
Place the wrong sides of the material together and align the edges. Pin together to secure. Sew a 1/8-inch seam completely around the bear pattern leaving a less than 1/2-inch opening at the top of the head.
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4
Stuff the bear. Use the end of a pen or pencil to push the stuffing into the leg area. Do not place stuffing where the legs meet the body. This leaves the legs floppy so the bear can sit down.
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5
Tuck the open material at the top of the head inside and seam together to secure.
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6
Attach pre-made eyes to the facial area. Embroider a nose and mouth for the bear.
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7
Add desired additional decorations. Small hats, pearl beads or clothing may be used to decorate.
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Tips & Warnings
For a floppier bear, do not place stuffing in the area where the arms meet the body.
Overstuffing your bear can cause seam separation. Be sure not to place too much stuffing in any one area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Portrait of a teddy bear image by ILonika from Fotolia.com
