How to Make a Teddy Bear  

The teddy bear was first made in 1903. The teddy bear has been made in many different shapes, sizes and design since it was first born. It became very famous during the years that Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United States. His nickname was "Teddy" Roosevelt. Teddy bears are currently manufactured all over the world. Many people make teddy bears at home too. Making a teddy bear is not that difficult with a little help. With the right tools and ability to sew, you can make a teddy bear.

The first thing you must do to make a teddy bear is to decide on a design. Libraries, book stores and fabric stores have many books on designing and making your own teddy bear. Pick a design that has a pattern with it so it can be cut out. You can make your own pattern, but this is more difficult. You can pick your own fabric, eyes, and thread color to make it unique. Now that you have a design and pattern, you need supplies. The supplies will vary depending on the design of the teddy bear. A list of basic supplies to make a teddy bear are listed in the text box below.

There are several steps in making a teddy bear.  The first step is preparing the pattern. First you will trace the pattern with a pencil or pen onto tracing paper from the pattern in the book. Make sure that all pattern markings such as openings, darts, and seam allowance are drawn on the pattern pieces. Then, cut each pattern piece out with scissors for cutting paper.

The second step is tracing the pattern onto the fabric.  You will need to lay the fur fabric on a hard surface such as a floor or table. The fabric should be laid fur down. Then carefully pin each pattern piece to the fabric. Lay out all of the cut teddy bear pattern pieces and make sure that all of the pieces have been cut out. Transfer all markings such as openings, darts, and seam allowances to the back side of the fabric pieces using a marking pen. Then take the paper pattern off of each fabric piece.

The next step is to find all three of the teddy bear head pieces. There is a piece for each side and the gusset, which is the middle piece. Place the middle and left head piece together with the furry sides touching. Use straight pins to pin them together. These pins will be taken out after sewing. Make sure to match up all markings. Sew the two pieces together. Remove the pins. Then match the markings for the gusset (middle) piece to the right side of the head pattern piece, placing the furry sides together. Pin these two pieces together, sew those two pieces together, and then remove the pins.

The fourth step is to find the four ear pattern pieces. With furry sides together, pin two ear pieces matching all markings. Sew one ear and remove pins. With furry sides together, pin remaining two ear pieces together. Sew and remove pins. Turn each ear right side out. Now sew each ear onto the head.  Next, turn the head piece right side out. Then, stuff the head using the wooden spoon to help push the stuffing into hard to reach places.  Sew each eye onto the head and then either sew a button or bead on for the nose or use black embroidery thread to make a nose. Use the dark embroidery thread to sew a mouth on.

After you complete the teddy bear's mouth, locate the body pattern pieces. Lay front and back pieces together, matching up all of the markings. Pieces should be laid with the furry sides together. Pin the two pieces together then sew and remove the pins. Turn the body piece right side out. Make sure there is an opening in the back for stuffing.

Now that the body and head are finished, you are ready to work on the teddy bear's arms and legs. Find the four arm and four leg pattern pieces. Place two of the arm pattern pieces together with the furry sides touching. Match up all markings and pin. Sew the arm together, remove the pins and repeat for the second arm. Turn the arms right side out and attach one paw to the end of each arm by sewing. Stuff each arm using a wooden spoon to help push the stuffing up through the arm.  Place two of the leg pattern pieces together with the furry sides touching. Make sure to match up all makings and pin. Sew the leg together, remove the pins and repeat for the second leg. Turn the legs right side out and attach one paw to the end of each leg by sewing. Stuff each leg using a wooden spoon to help push the stuffing into each leg. Locate the markings on the body for each arm and leg. Pin both arms and legs to the body and carefully sew them on. Remove the pins. Stuff the body of the bear and sew closed. 

The last step in making your teddy bear is to trim the fur around the nose and mouth area of the teddy bear's head. This makes for a more realistic looking bear. Finally, the teddy bear is complete.

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