How to Build a Bear Purse

A bear purse means you can take your favorite stuffed animal with you everywhere.

A stuffed bear purse can be a fun addition to any outfit or a great gift or activity for your children. Having a bear purse means being able to carry around your favorite stuffed animal with you wherever you go. Because it requires few materials and time, this can be a fun family activity. If you are transforming another person's bear, make sure she is OK with it.

Things You'll Need

• Stuffed bear
• Zipper
• Purse strap
• Heavy upholstery needle and thread
• Liner fabric

Instructions

Preparing the Bear

1. Make an incision just a bit shorter than the length of the zipper. You must decide whether the opening of the purse will be along the back or the side of the bear.

2. Pull the stuffing of the bear's torso gently, leaving the stuffing in the arms, legs and head.

3. Turn the now empty bear inside-out as much as possible without pushing out the stuffing in the head, arms and legs. All sewing is done on the inside of the bear.

Sewing the Purse

1. Cut pieces of the liner fabric big enough to cover the neck, arm and leg holes. Sew these pieces over the openings so that the stuffing does not come out. If the bear you are using has a very unrefined interior, you can sew fabric all along the inside to serve as lining.

2. Align the zipper with the slit first cut into the bear and sew it on open. Because you are sewing this on the inside of the bear it will be a little difficult to maneuver, leaving the zipper open will make it easier to sew and easier to flip the bear right-side out again.

3. Sew on your chosen purse strap. Depending on how you would like the finished purse to look, this can be sewn from either the inside or outside.

4. Flip the bear ride-side out, if you have not already, and check for any missed or loose stitches. Fix as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Hand sewing will be easier than attempting to use a sewing machine on such an irregularly shaped and thick object.

• If you do not have a bear at home with which you are willing to part, thrift and second-hand stores might have many inexpensive options.

• If you are not experienced at hand sewing, choose a larger bear because sewing the inside can be difficult and awkward to do, especially on a small bear.

• Carefully plan out how you would like your purse to hang and look before. Once you cut into the bear, it will be difficult to undo.