I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Polar Bear Sewing Pattern.
*** PLEASE NOTE – this in ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***
The FULL PATTERN IS NOT included here.
It is NOT A FREE PATTERN.I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased the pattern can SEE how to sew my toy polar bear (I wanted to explain this so you are not disappointed if you have found this page via a search engine and not from the link in my Preston Polar Bear Sewing Pattern!)
* The Polar Bear Sewing Pattern is available to buy, from the Funky Friends Factory website as an Instant Download e-Pattern.
First choose some fabrics…
Preston Polar Bear will look good in all sorts of colours and textures…
Look at
these lovely
feedback photos…
Right, let’s get sewing!
We start with the NOSE:
STEP 1
Sew the darts in the NOSE PIECE as shown on the pattern markings.
TIP: I like to use a dark(matching) thread to sew the nose BUT I used a white thread, for the photo tutorial photos, so you could see my stitching.
STEP 2
Sew the NOSE PIECE to the SNOUT PIECE along the nose seam from A -B – A.
HEAD:
STEP 3
Sew the GUSSET PIECE to one FRONT PIECE from C – D.
The dashed line in the photo below is to show you where the sewing line is.
STEP 4
Sew the other side of the GUSSET PIECE to the other FRONT PIECE, from C – D.
Again, the dashed line is where you sew!
STEP 5
Sew the SNOUT PIECE to the GUSSET PIECE & FRONT PIECES, along the face seam from E – F – E.
STEP 6
Pin and sew your Polar Bear closed at the front. Sew up the front of the FRONT PIECES and along the SNOUT PIECES and continue sewing the NOSE PIECE closed. Sew from G – E – A – H.
TIP: Clip the seam well (especially where it is very curved at E).
CRAFT EYES:
STEP 7
If you are using CRAFT EYES, insert them now. (If you are using beads, or embroidering the eyes, you will sew them on after he is stuffed.)
TIP: I have a tutorial to show you how to insert craft eyes on my blog.
EARS:
STEP 8a
Sew the EAR PIECES together in pairs, as shown on the pattern markings.
STEP 8b
Clip the seams of the EAR PIECES and turn them right side out.
TIP: Use a chopstick or turning tool to push the seams out nicely. Run the end of the chopstick along the seam from ‘inside’ the EAR PIECES.
STEP 9
Fold the ears in half and sew them together about half way along, to create a ‘pleat’, when you open it up again. Push the pleat down so it lies flat (this is the back of the EAR), and pin it down.
TIP: This is what the EARS look like from the front.
STEP 10
Pin the EARS to the BACK PIECES, using the pattern markings to guide you and sew in place with a 3mm (⅛inch) seam allowance.
TIP: Check that the ‘pleats’ at the backs of the EARS are touching the BACK PIECES, when you pin the EARS in place.
TAIL:
STEP 11
Sew the TAIL PIECES together, leaving the straight edge open. Clip the seams well.
STEP 12
Turn the TAILS PIECES right side out and stuff the tail with a little toy stuffing and pin the straight edge closed.
BACK:
STEP 13
Pin the tail to one of the BACK PIECES, using the pattern markings to guide you and sew it in place with a 3mm (⅛inch) seam allowance. (This will stop the pieces from slipping as you sew, so you don’t end up with a crooked tail!).
STEP 14
Sew the BACK PIECES together, with the tail in between, sew from J – K, remembering to leave a gap open for stuffing (See the black arrow in the photo below!).
The pink dotted line shows you where the TAIL is in between the BACK PIECES.
ARMS:
STEP 15
Sew the ARM PIECES together in pairs, leaving the straight edge open at the top. Remember to leave a gap for stuffing (see the black arrow in the photo below).
STEP 16
Clip the seams of the ARM PIECES well, especially where they are very curved.
TIP: Clip in between the points of the ‘fingers’ and trim the pointed seams at the tips of each ‘finger’ to help them turn nicely. (This feels like cutting off finger nails!)
STEP 17
Turn the ARM PIECES right sides out.
TIP: Use a chopstick or turning tool to push tips of the ‘fingers’ out so they are nice and pointed. Push gently so you don’t burst the seams!
STEP 18a
Fold the ARM PIECES at the top so the seams are pinned together in the middle.
The black dashed line, in the photo below, is the seam line.
STEP 18b
Use the pattern markings to place and pin the ARMS on the FRONT PIECES.
The black dashed line, in the photo below, is the seam line.
STEP 18c
Sew the ARMS in place on the FRONT PIECES with a 3mm (⅛inch) seam allowance.
TIP: Check that the ‘hands’ are touching the FRONT PIECES.
SIDE SEAM:
STEP 19
Pin the BACK PIECES to the FRONT PIECES and sew them together with the ears and arms in between. Sew from L – K – L.
LEGS:
STEP 20
Sew the LEG PIECES together in pairs, along the ‘knee seam’ from M – N.
STEP 21
Sew the TOE PIECES to the LEG PIECES, matching point N.
STEP 22
Pin the LEG PIECES together down the ‘back seam’, leaving the gap open for stuffing the legs after the bear is turned right sides out. (See the black arrow in the photo below!). Sew the LEG PIECES together from O – P.
STEP 23a
Pin the FOOT PAD PIECES to the TOE & LEG PIECES matching points P and Q. (Take your time and use lots of pins). Sew the FOOT PAD PIECES to the TOE & LEG PIECES .
TIP: I have a tutorial on my blog to show you how to sew perfect plushie feet – it’s easy when you know how!
STEP 23b
Clip in between the points of the ‘toes’ and trim the seams at the tip of each ‘toe’ like you did with the ‘fingers’.
STEP 24
Turn the legs right sides out and fold the LEG PIECES, as shown in the pattern markings, and pin them closed at the top with the seams together in the middle.
The black dashed line, in the photo below, is the seam line.
STEP 25a
Push the legs, toes first, into the body (see the black arrows in the photo below) and pin them to the FRONT PIECES using the pattern markings to guide you with the position.
TIP: Make sure the ‘toes’ are facing/touching the FRONT PIECES.
STEP 25b
Sew the LEG PIECES to the FRONT PIECES with a 3mm (⅛inch) seam allowance.
BASE
STEP 26
With the legs still ‘inside the body’, pin the BASE PIECE to the FRONT & BACK PIECES, matching point J at the back and G at the front.
STEP 27
Sew the BASE PIECE to the FRONT & BACK PIECES. Sew the whole way around without leaving a gap.
ASSEMBLY
STEP 28
Turn the Polar Bear right sides out through the stuffing gap.
STEP 29
Fill the head, body and legs with toy stuffing.
STEP 30
Sew the stuffing gaps closed with a ladder stitch. If you are using beads or embroidering the EYES, sew them on now.
TIP: If you are sewing a toy for a child under the age of 3 years old – it is not safe to use craft eyes. Use felt circles or embroider the eyes. I have a blog post here with more tips on toy safety.
STEP 31
Cut a piece of Christmas ribbon (66cm/26inches) and tie it around your polar bear’s neck like a scarf. I have instructions for making a NO-SEW fleece scarf HERE. You can use this for ALL of your Funky Friends toys!
Your Polar Bear is ready to LOVE!
Come join the fun on Facebook!
When you’ve made your own toy Preston Polar Bear – come and post some photos of your NEW Funky Friend for me to see on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page.
You could WIN a FREE PATTERN in the MAKER OF THE MONTH Pattern Giveaway!
I can’t wait to see the Funky Friends you sew!
bye for now,
Pauline
