downloadable memory bear sewing pattern free printable

DOWNLOADABLE MEMORY BEAR SEWING PATTERN FREE PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD

I used polyester fiberfill stuffing for these bears which makes them easy to wash. Pin the head to the body and sew the head to the body with ladder stitch, going around twice to make it extra secure. Take a running stitch along the top edge of the body and pull the stitches to gather it mostly closed. Clip the curves and turn the body right side out. Sew around the body, leaving the top edge open as marked. Place the other body piece on top and pin well. Place the arms, legs, and folded tag on the right side of one body piece as marked and pin in place. Now place the muzzle on the head and whipstitch it in place. Stitch the mouth with small, straight stitches. Place the nose on the muzzle piece and whipstitch it in place using coordinating thread or embroidery floss. Stuff the head, then close the opening with ladder stitch. Clip the curves, then turn the head right side out. Stitch all the way around, leaving the opening as marked. Put other head piece on top, right side down. Place the ears on the right side of one head piece as marked. Sew the ears the same way, but leave them unstuffed. Place two arm pieces right sides together, stitch around, leaving the top edge open. Dana requested that they read, “Love from Grammy.” I have a laser printer so I cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of freezer paper, fused it to the back of some cotton muslin, and ran it through my printer to create the labels. To create a tag you can use an ink jet printer and printable fabric sheets (affiliate link) to print out a message to sew into the seam.

1 muzzle (cut from felt) + 1 nose (cut from felt).

One of the sweaters I used had pockets and I placed on the bear’s belly so it’s got a place to slip secret notes or treasures. If the item of clothing you’re using has special features such as a pocket or button loop you can incorporate those into your bear by strategically placing the templates. If your fabric has stretch, place the templates on the fabric so that the arrows are aligned with the least stretchy direction.

DOWNLOADABLE MEMORY BEAR SEWING PATTERN FREE PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD

To get started, download the memory bear templates.

for a friend moving to another state or another country.

for siblings or family members going through divorce.

for a child going to overnight camp for the first time.

Some ideas include making a bear out of special clothing or pre-loved fabrics: You can also make one as a way to carry memories during any kind of separation.

I’m making these bears for a friend, but the work of making a memory bear out of the clothes of a loved one who has died can be a way to work through feelings of grief and incorporate what that person meant to you into your self as you move forward in your own life.Īnd memory bear doesn’t have to be made from the clothing of someone who has passed away.

Then I cut them apart along the seams. If you’re using sweaters for your bear the fabric will stretch and your bear will be a bit more round, but you can also use woven fabrics such as men’s shirts in which case your bear will be more true to size. I felted the sweaters by washing them in warm soapy water in the washing machine and putting them in the dryer. On Saturday the box arrived and I pulled out a collection of sweaters worn by a woman I never met who raised and loved my friend. I designed a simple bear that can be made from any kind of fabric and I thought I’d share the pattern with you in case you’d like to make a memory bear, too. She asked if I would make bears out of them, two for her children and two for her nieces. Over the past several weeks Dana has been cleaning out her mother’s closet and found herself with a pile of wool sweaters she just couldn’t part with. A few years later she moved across the country and I’ve watched her baby grow up through Facebook posts of dance recitals and first days of school. I met Dana when we were both new moms sitting on the floor, exhausted, in a playgroup that was really a support group for getting through that infancy blur.

My friend Dana’s mom passed away a few months ago.

Downloadable memory bear sewing pattern free printable