Paper Teddy Bear

PAPER TEDDY BEAR

This project is rated as MODERATE.

Materials needed: Computer paper, large grocery sack, scissors, glue, crayons (or paint), polyester filling, optionally: thread or embroidery floss

In this project, you will make a Teddy Bear using a grocery sack. The finished Teddy will look something like the Teddy in the following picture:

The first thing to do is to print out the pattern. Because the pattern is larger than will fit on one piece of computer paper, only half the pattern is shown. When your browser is showing the half pattern, select PRINT. However, before clicking on "OK", put legal size paper (8.5" by 14") in your printer and using SETUP, select that paper size. Print two copies of the half pattern. (You don't have legal size paper? That is all right. Go ahead and print on letter size paper. Each half pattern will print on two sheets of paper. You can cut out each part and tape the pieces together.)
Cut out each pattern half.
Turn one piece over.
Butt the two halves together.
Put tape over the joint between the two halves.
You now will have a complete pattern. (Note: If you are using a MacIntosh computer, it will print the pattern too large. You will need to right click on the image of the half pattern and save the image to a file. Using a graphics program you can print the half pattern at the correct size which is a little over 12 inches tall.)

The next step is to make the front of the Teddy Bear.
From a large grocery sack, cut out the front and back of the sack. (If there is printing on the sack, be sure that any printing will be inside the Teddy Bear.)
Place the pattern on one of the pieces and trace around the pattern on to the grocery sack paper.
Cut out the Teddy Bear. This piece will be the front of the Teddy Bear.
Now is a good time to color the Teddy. You may use crayons or paint. You may use any colors or designs you wish to use. I suggest you make: eyes, nose, mouth, shirt, belt and pants. See the following picture:

Turn the Teddy over and on what will be the inside, run a bead of glue around the very edge of the cutout. Do NOT put glue along the top of the head between the ears. Use a glue that is good for paper such as Elmer's Craft Bond Tacky Glue.
Now turn the piece over and glue it to the other piece of sack paper. Press the cut piece against the uncut piece so the glue makes a good bond. Press outward all around the edge of the cut out piece. If there is excess glue, it should be squeezed outward rather than inward.
Let the glue dry. To assure a good bond, cover the Teddy with a piece of wax paper, and place books or magazines on it to press the two pieces of paper together.

When the glue is dry, cut away the excess paper of the uncut sheet following the contour of the cut piece.
The Teddy is now ready for stuffing. Through the opening at the top of the head, push small pieces of polyester filling into the arms and legs. It is best to use small pieces since they may be packed in better to fill the space. Large pieces are difficult to make conform to the shape of the toy. You may use the blunt end of a pencil, dowel rod, knitting needle, etc. to poke the filling into the desired positions. Be careful not to poke too hard or try to fill the Teddy to tightly because you might cause the front and back to come unglued.
When the entire toy is filled. push a little filling into the ears to plump them out.
To complete the Teddy, you must close the opening. Put glue on one side and then press the front and back together to seal it shut. The two parts must be held together while the glue dries. You can use spring type clothes pins, alligator clips, maybe even paper clips to hold the seam shut while the glue dries.

When the glue is dry, remove the clips and you have a completed paper Teddy Bear. It may not be as durable or as cuddly as a cloth toy, but it can be a toy to sit on a shelf to show off your handiwork.


BONUS

Your bonus is that the pattern can also be used to make a cloth Teddy Bear.

Here is how to do it.

Make your pattern as before.
You will need some cloth (two pieces, about 14" by 14".) You may have some suitable cloth or you may purchase some for this project.
Place the two pieces of fabric right side to right side.
Then place your pattern on the two pieces of fabric.
Pin the pattern through both pieces of fabric.
With a chalk (or other type fabric) marker mark the fabric around the pattern adding a seam allowance of about 3/8 inch.
Cut the fabric along the outline you have made.
Where there are sharp inside corners (under the arms, etc.) make a "V" cut into where the stitching will be.
Machine stitch around the fabric keeping the seam 3/8 inch from the cut edge. Do NOT stitch between the ears. Start at one ear, stitch around it, around the rest of the Teddy to and around the other ear. The top of the head is left open.
Turn the Teddy right sides out by passing the body through the opening you provided.
At this point, you may want to add some facial features. A couple of black buttons can be sewn on for eyes. The nose and mouth can be embroidered. (You might want to do this before stitching the two sides together; but that will require you to unpin the pieces after cutting and re-pin them prior to stitching.)
Stuff the Teddy with some filling.
When done with the filling, the opening at the top of the head must be hand sewn closed.

You now will have a cuddly Teddy Bear. You may make clothing for him, or leave him au naturel.

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