Teddy Bear Making Tips

Probably one of the biggest concerns most new teddy bear artists have is "Am I doing this the right way?" The answer is simply, there is no right way. There are conventional tried and true methods of bear making that are used in purchased pattern instructions and bear books, but they are not the only methods available to achieve a desirable bear. Whatever is the easiest method for you, that does not sacrifice quality, is the right way to make a bear. The end result, the bear that is setting there looking back at you, is the testimony as to whether it was done the right way.

When I was first making bears so many years ago, I followed every instruction to the letter. But now I have developed my own method of bear construction that works for me. Everyone finds that one way is easier than another.

A few of my "unconventional" methods:

After the pattern has been traced onto the fabric back, I find I am less likely to mix right and left pieces together if I cut out only the pieces I am working with rather than all the pieces at once.

Generally, the open mouth teddy bear has the muzzle sewn to the side head pieces before the mouth piece is sewn in. I find it easier for me if I sew the mouth in right after I sew the chin seam and before the muzzle piece is sewn. There is less bulk, it is easier to maneuver the mouth into the correct position as I sew around the curves and I can keep the grain of the fabrics in straight relation to each other.

The head is usually needle sculpted, the eyes set, the ears sewn on and the nose embroidered or attached after the disc is inserted and the neck closed. I find it works best for me if I complete all of these tasks before the head closure. The sculpting threads are all tied off internally in the stuffing of the open neck rather than on the outside of the closed head. This alleviates unnecessary indentations or knots in the fur and on the outside of the head.

The conventional assembly method is to sew and attach all the limbs un-stuffed to the body first and then stuff and adorn the limbs and body all at once. I find it is better for the way I work if I completely finish each limb with discs, armatures, stuffing, seam closure, and paw pad adornment and then attach the finished limb to the body as I go, and then stuff the body last with all four of the limbs attached. There is less bear to maneuver around than when the stuffing is completed all at the same time, with fewer tendencies to stuff a "twist" into the limbs, and it is easier to finish the paw pads when they are not attached to the bear. I also have an idea of what the finished bear will look like as he/she is being constructed.

When you are making your next teddy bear, try whatever method you can think of that makes sense to you and don't worry about the right way, because if it works for you and your bear, then what you are doing is the right way!