Teddy Bear Family
African Sewfari has made a whole family of teddy bears:
Traditional, Sam, Sailor, Jungle Belle, Girl, and Boy
This is the most fun you will ever experience with your Embroidery Machine.
The perfect way to spend a cold and wet weekend.
The set consists of 17 hoopings to complete all parts needed to make a 13½inch (330mm.) teddy.
REQUIREMENTS
An embroidery machine with a minimum hoop size of 9×5 inch (200×150mm);
1 yard (1 metre) of 45 inch (115cm) wide densely woven polycotton fabric, matching the colour to your Burmalana wool;
Burmalana (Larna) Embroidery Wool (see text file for quantity);
Maderia 100 #16 Larna Wool Embroidery Needles;
No. 30 Cotton Embroidery Thread (see text file for colours);
1 bag Carded Fibre Stuffing;
2 “sew on” Teddy bear eyes;
Black or dark brown hand embroidery thread for the facial detail.
8 inch (200mm.) needle.
MACHINE EMBRIODERY
Hoop the fabric with one layer of medium density “stitch and tear” stabilizer.
Float a further two layers of tear away stabilizer under the hoop.
If possible, adjust the machine embroidery speed to 350 stitches per minute (faster speeds cause more looping of the wool and create fluff to build up).
It is advisable to clean the fluff (lint) build up in the bobbin case and adjacent area each time the bobbin is changed.
Stitch all 17 hoopings. Cut all jump stitches including the reverse side (bobbin) as these may inhibit the stuffing process.
Trim off the excess fabric leaving a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance around the embroidered area, marking what each piece is on the reverse as well as toe/heel positions etc.
SEWING THE BODY PARTS TOGETHER.
It is preferable to pin and baste all pieces together, right sides together, prior to machine sewing as pins do not bend and inhibit the sewing process when working with small sections.
Each piece has markings in the seam allowance to assist in lining-up the parts accurately. Extra care should be taken when joining two parts with cotton embroidery to ensure that they line up correctly.
When machine stitching the pieces together make sure that the sewing line is slightly into the embroidered area.
Once completed, check the reverse side for accuracy. Stitch a second line if there are places where the sewing has wandered into the seam allowance.
If this is not done carefully it will cause the fabric to show through the embroidered surfaces at the seams.
ARMS, LEGS, AND EARS.
Stitch both sections of arms, legs and ear pieces together leaving the marked openings in the seams unstitched to allow for stuffing. Clip the curves and trim seams.
Stuff with a polyester filling and slip stitch the opening closed. Fluff up wool stitching with the hook side of Velcro or a mohair teasing brush.
BODY.
Stitch the two front body parts together, finishing at the crotch markings. Back stitch at this point to reinforce.
Stitch the back section to the front parts, remembering to leave the opening unstitched. Clip curves and trim seams.
HEAD.
With right sides together, pin and stitch the head side panels together from the nose to neck.
Match center marking of “centre gusset” to the stitched seam of side panels.
The ear markings need to lined up on each piece. Ease in any fullness and baste carefully and stitch.
Clip the curves and trim seams.
Turn head to right side and lightly press seams open.
Slip the head into the neck opening, matching centre back to gusset and nose seam to marking in embroidery. Head and body will have right sides together inside the body of the bear.
Baste and stitch carefully. Pull through the opening and stuff with polyester filling. Slip stitch opening closed.
Before fluffing up the head and body, stitch the facial markings with embroidery floss.
ASSEMBLY OF STUFFED PARTS
Using six strands of strong thread and a long embroidery needle, knot ends together.
Run needle through the head on the eye markings.
Attach the first eye.
Return the needle through the head again and attach the second eye.
Return needle through the head once more, pull tight and knot firmly behind the first eye.
Using strong thread, stitch the ears to each side of head on placement marks.
Using six strands of thread and an 8 inch (200mm.) needle, knot the ends together and push the needle through the body at the front left placement mark and out through the front right placement mark.
Return the needle through the body at the right rear placement mark and out through the left rear placement mark. Now run the needle through the rear placement marks of the left arm. Return the needle through the front placement marks of the left arm. Run the needle back through the body front placement marks and attach the right arm through the front and rear placement marks. Run the needle back through the body rear placement marks.
Pull the thread up tightly creating slight indents (dimples) in the arms. Securely knot off the thread between the body and the left armpit.
To attach the legs simply repeat the same process as used for the arms.
Now give your bear a big hug.
Comment by LaVerne
Anyone who loves teddies would adore this fantastic project. Great tutorial and great job.
Posted on May 23, 2006 at 7:30 am
Comment by Brenda Tenhagen
What great instructions. I just want to start now but where did you get the design?
Posted on October 28, 2007 at 5:02 pm