{"id":2100,"date":"2016-01-24T04:52:32","date_gmt":"2016-01-24T04:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/?p=22094"},"modified":"2026-01-31T08:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T08:56:08","slug":"how-to-sew-a-memory-toy-keepsake-teddy-bear","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/how-to-sew-a-memory-toy-keepsake-teddy-bear\/","title":{"rendered":"How to sew a memory bear"},"content":{"rendered":"

Memories are made of this!<\/span><\/p>\n

I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Melody Memory Bear Sewing Pattern<\/strong> ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You can use this memory bear pattern to transform your child’s clothes into an everlasting keepsake!<\/span><\/p>\n

How cool<\/span>
\nis that?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Memorytoycollage\"<\/p>\n

I have taken step-by-step photos<\/strong> to create a photo tutorial to show you just how much fun it is to sew your own Memory Bear!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sew<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

*** PLEASE NOTE – this is ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe FULL PATTERN IS NOT<\/strong> included here.
\nThis is <\/span>NOT<\/strong> a FREE PATTERN.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased my Melody Memory Bear Sewing Pattern<\/strong><\/strong> can SEE how to sew this memory 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 memory bear sewing pattern)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

*The pattern is available to purchase here – Melody Memory Bear Sewing Pattern <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

First choose some fabric…<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 1
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

You can use one main fabric from a single item of clothing for most of the pieces and use another contrast fabric for the EAR<\/u><\/strong> and FOOT PAD PIECES<\/u><\/strong>… but I prefer to create a ‘patchwork’ effect<\/strong> by using…<\/span><\/p>\n

lots of different items of<\/span><\/p>\n

pre-loved baby clothes!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"baby<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

F.A.Q: How many pieces of clothing
\ndo you need for a memory bear?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

You will need between 6 and 8 items of<\/strong> baby clothes<\/strong> for a baby keepsake bear. For an adult memory bear it totally depends on the size of the item… I would say a minimum of 2 items of<\/strong> adult clothing<\/strong> should be enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Prepare the pieces:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 2<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Decide if your fabrics need to be lined with interfacing. This is not always needed<\/span> – see the FAQ box below to see if you need to line your fabrics<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

F.A.Q: Must fabric pieces be lined with interfacing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don’t like to make EXTRA work for myself\u00a0 – so I DON’T<\/span> normally interface toys. MOST of the time it is NOT necessary<\/span>! \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NO: When you DON’T NEED <\/span><\/b><\/span>interfacing<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

From experience I’ve found that I don’t need to use interfacing when ALL of the fabrics I’m using are the SAME TYPE. For example:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I don\u2019t use interfacing if the fabrics I’m using are ALL woven fabrics<\/span><\/strong> (like quilting cottons and corduroy) because they do not stretch<\/span> out of shape.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. I also don’t use interfacing if the fabrics are ALL knit fabrics<\/span><\/strong> (like fleece, minky or Cuddle) because they will all stretch the same amount<\/span> BUT I take care not to over-stuff my bear – if these fabrics stretch too much he\u2019ll be very chubby!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    YES: When you NEED to use <\/span><\/b><\/span>interfacing<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. If I am making Melody from clothing items<\/strong><\/span> , very thin or stretchy fabrics<\/strong><\/span> or fabrics that fray easily<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. or when I am using a MIX of woven (non-stretchy) and knit (stretchy) fabrics<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      HOW TO use iron-on interfacing<\/span><\/strong><\/span>:<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

      STEP 1<\/strong><\/span>: Trace all the pieces, including all the \u2018reversed pieces\u2019, onto the smooth (NON-STICKY) side of the iron-on interfacing.<\/span><\/p>\n

      STEP 2<\/strong><\/span>: Cut out the pieces adding about 5mm (\u00bc inch) around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

      STEP 3<\/strong><\/span>: Iron the interfacing pieces onto the fabric of the clothing items, with the STICKY (GLUE) side facing the BACK of the fabric.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"iron<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      STEP4<\/strong><\/span>: Cut the pieces out on the traced lines.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Why not<\/span><\/p>\n

      Embroider some fun details! <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Melody Memory Bear makes a beautiful baby keepsake bear. She has a lots of flat areas that are great for embroidery. Jenell Wilbanks<\/strong> out of a baby\u2019s receiving blanket and\u00a0 embroidered\u00a0 the baby’s name and birth date embroidered on the FOOT PAD PIECES<\/strong><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Melody Memory Bear is often made from adult clothing as a memory bear when someone precious who has passed.\u00a0 Jonell hear<\/strong>t used a mother’s precious garments to make this beautiful memory bear.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Ooooh!
      \nhave you seen?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n

      <\/h2>\n

      I have a *FREE*
      \n<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

      \ud83e\udd73 <\/span><\/strong>Toy-Making Course! \ud83e\udd73<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

      I know you\u2019re keen to get sewing your first bear BUT take a look at my FREE toy-making Course<\/a><\/span><\/strong> first, especially if you\u2019re NEW to sewing toy patterns – I share ALL the tips & tricks I\u2019ve learned about sewing soft toys over the last 20+ years in a daily email series packed with photos, diagrams and videos. This FREE toy-making Course<\/a><\/span><\/strong> includes everything you need to know about sewing toys from how to read a pattern to how to stuff a toy AND includes my easiest pattern – Plattie Platypus.<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      (Yes! It\u2019s FREE!)<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"Toy<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Even if you\u2019re NOT a NEW sewer,
      \nyou\u2019ll find great tips like this in the course ~><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      My # 1 Tip
      \nto avoid getting stuck!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Transfer ALL THE MARKINGS & LETTERS<\/strong> from the pattern pieces onto the fabric<\/span>, then you can\u2019t go wrong because it\u2019s like snap – all you have to do is match up the letters! <\/span>I know it seems so simple BUT don’t let this fool YOU! It\u2019s my BEST tip EVER ~> because it seems to help 99% of people who get stuck! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

       <\/p>\n

      OK, let’s sew a memory bear!<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

       <\/p>\n

      GENERAL SEWING INSTRUCTIONS<\/span>
      \nfor Melody Memory Bear:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n