Bear Cub Softie

Fabric Requirements:

Notes:

• All seam allowances are 1/4" unless noted.
• Fat 1/8 = approximately 9" x 22"

Piecing the Project:

1. Lay desired fabrics (matching stretch direction Fig. 17), onto the Bear Cub die and roll through the machine.
2. Sew both of the ears, tail and legs (not arms), by placing two like pieces right sides together, sewing from one end around to the other end and leaving the flat edges open for turning (Fig. 1). Be sure to lock the stitch at the beginning and the end to prevent it from coming undone while turning and stuffing.
3. Notch all outward curves and clip inward curves (see Fig. 1). Be careful not to cut the seams.
4. Turn all of these pieces right side out using turning tubes.
5. Stuff the two legs to desired fullness but do not over-stuff (see Fig. 1).
6. Sew both back head pieces right sides together from the top to the bottom (see Fig. 2) along the edge without the notches.
7. Place a side cheek piece right side up and place the center head piece right side down sideways, lining up the edges. Sew the face seam together (see Fig. 3a).
8. Open these two pieces (see Fig. 3b). Place and sew the other side cheek piece to the opposite side of the center piece (see Fig. 3c).
9. Fold the face in half right sides together and sew the bottom center of the neck together from the two cheek ends up to the nose (see Fig. 3d).
10. There will be a hole in the tip of the nose, which needs to be closed. Flatten the underneath of the nose seam and sew straight across the top of the nose tip (see Fig. 4).
11. Flip over the face of the bear and pin the raw edge of the ears along the top raw edge of the head. Place the ears just outside of the forehead seams (see Fig. 5) and set the face piece aside.
12. Place both belly pieces right sides together and sew the center edges from the top to the bottom (see Fig. 6).
13. Open the belly pieces right side up. Place an arm piece right side down along the arm curve of the belly piece (see Fig. 7a). Keep the raw edges aligned with the curve and sew in place (see Fig. 7b).
14. Repeat step 13 with the opposite arm (see Fig. 7c).
15. Flip the bear face right side down on top of the belly, align the flat edges and the center seams and sew the front neck seam together (see Fig. 8).
16. Place the legs approximately 1" away from the bottom center of the seam on the belly, so the legs are pointing in towards the belly button and the raw edges are lined up (Fig. 9). Stitch in place to remove pins and set the front of the Bear aside.
17. Pin the tail in place on one back piece, not stuffed (see Fig. 10).
18. Place the other back piece right side down on top and sew the back spine together about 1" from the top and from the bottom up, leaving a 1 3/4" opening for turning and stuffing (see Fig. 11).
19. Open the back piece right side up. Pin and then sew the back of the arms right side down using the front belly and arm piece as your guide so the back arm pieces will align with the front arm pieces (see Fig. 12).
20. Flip the back of the bear head right side down on top of the back pieces, aligning the center seams along the flat edge, and sew the back neck seam together (see Fig. 13).
21. Place the back of the Bear right side up (see Fig. 14).
22. Place the front of the Bear right side down on top of the back pieces (see Fig. 15). Tip: Pin the arms first, the neck seams, bottom seam and then the armpits and anywhere else necessary.
23. Sew from one armpit all the way around the arm, the head and the other arm to the other armpit.
24. Sew from just above the leg, down along the bottom of the Bear, to just above the other leg.
25. Depending on your fabric and the direction of the stretch, you will likely have a little bit of fabric remaining on both sides of the belly between the arms and legs. Pinch the excess together directly in between the arm and leg and sew a dart (taper off the seam 3/4" to 1") (shown in Fig. 15 left side). This will provide a fuller belly for the Bear.
26. Cut the fold on the dart and press the seam open on the edge.
27. Finish sewing the front and back side edges together between the armpits and legs, on both sides (shown in Fig. 15 right side).
28. Clip the outward curves and notch inward curves or angles around the head and body and then turn the body right side out.
29. Gently stuff the Bear's nose first, followed by the head, arms and then body.
30. Close up the back using a ladder stitch.
31. Sew on eyes and nose using embroidery floss, stitching French knots for eyes and basic stitching for a nose (see Fig. 16).
32. Adding accessories: To add a heart or star on the Bear's chest, cut the piece and glue baste it to prevent shifting while sewing a topstitch. Tip: Place the felt accessories on the right side of the fabric using washable glue and lightly press with an iron. If you are using felt or other materials for the accessory pieces, glue pieces right side up to the right side of fabric, flip the entire piece over and press on the wrong side that is only cotton to prevent scorching.
33. To make a bow (for the head or as a tie) or a rattle, top stitch two like pieces together. Add some elastic or a bobby pin to attach to the Bear.

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