{"id":761,"date":"2020-02-27T17:02:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/keepsake-bear-pattern\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T11:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T11:35:10","slug":"keepsake-bear-pattern","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/keepsake-bear-pattern\/","title":{"rendered":"Keepsake Bear Pattern"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yeeeeehar!!!! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

My new Keepsake Bear Pattern photo tutorial is ready\u00a0~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This baby-faced teddy bear was designed specifically for sewing keepsakes! With an adorable heart-shaped nose, a cute little upturned muzzle, swinging arms and legs, (sewn into seams for easy construction), 4 large flat spaces for embroidery (tummy, back, arms AND footpads) and a chubby little bottom (for extra \u201chugginess\u201d) makes this the perfect pattern for you to sew lovely keepsakes! Create a special memento as a cherished reminder of your baby\u2019s first years, to mark a special occasion or milestone or in memory of a lost loved one to bring comfort when words aren\u2019t enough…
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

or to sew
\na keepsake bear
\n~ just for YOU!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Meet<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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

It is <\/span>NOT A FREE PATTERN!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased my Keepsake Bear Sewing Pattern<\/strong> can SEE how to sew a keepsake teddy 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 Keep Me Keepsake Bear Sewing Pattern)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prepare the fabric pieces…<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

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

I used fabric from about 11 baby clothing items which were of very different thicknesses, textures and degree of ‘stretchiness’.\u00a0 I used interfacing to line them all so that they would all ”behave” like woven\/non-stretch fabrics.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To line the pieces, trace all the pieces including all the \u2018reversed pieces\u2019) onto the smooth (NON-STICKY) side of the iron-on interfacing. Roughly cut out the pieces adding about 3mm (1\/8 inch) around them. Iron the interfacing pieces onto the fabric of the clothing items, with the STICKY (GLUE) side facing the BACK of the fabric.<\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Cut the pieces out accurately on the traced lines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:\u00a0<\/strong>I used 11 items of baby clothes for my keepsake bear. Mix and match your fabrics to make your keepsake bear unique. If you are making a ‘patchwork bear’ (with many different fabrics) – take a photo of the pieces<\/strong> all cut out. It is easy to forget where you wanted to place things as you go along!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

SEWING THE HEAD:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

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

Sew the FOREHEAD PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to the SNOUT PIECE<\/strong><\/span> matching point A.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 3
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FACE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the MUZZLE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> from B – C.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 4
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FACE & MUZZLE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> together at the front from D – C – K.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 5a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the FOREHEAD & SNOUT PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to the FACE & MUZZLE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> .<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> This is a hard seam to sew, so take it slow and use LOTS of pins!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 5b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FOREHEAD & SNOUT PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to the FACE & MUZZLE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> from E – B – D – B – E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> Sew this seam with the FOREHEAD PIECE<\/strong><\/span> facing down. That way you can smooth out any \u2018wrinkles’ as you sew.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 6a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Clip the seams well, especially the very curved parts of the seams.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 6b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fold and pin the FACE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> with the fabric right sides together and sew the face darts as shown on the pattern markings.<\/p>\n

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

EYES:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n


\n\u274c IMPORTANT TOY SAFETY NOTE<\/span>:<\/span> \u274c<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If the toy is for a child under 3 it is safest to use a black felt circle or embroider a black circle instead of using CRAFT EYES<\/strong><\/span>. Do this later, AFTER you have stuffed the unicorn. Please remember – a keepsake \/ memory toy that will be given to a baby (or child under 3 years old) should NOT have any small parts like buttons, craft eyes or weighted pellets! You can c<\/span><\/span>heck out this blog post for more toy safety information<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Toy-safety-tips-for-home<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 7
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

If you are using craft eyes, insert them now.<\/p>\n

\"keepsake<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> I have a tutorial to show you how to insert craft eyes<\/strong><\/a><\/span> on my blog.<\/p>\n

\"craft-eyes-tutorial-How-to-insert\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

EARS:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 8
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the EAR PIECES<\/strong><\/span> together in pairs, leaving the straight edge open. Clip the seam allowance of the EARS<\/strong> very well and turn them right sides out. **Do NOT stuff the EARS!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Keep-Me-KEEPSAKE-BEAR-ear\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 9a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the EARS<\/strong><\/span> to the FACE PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, using the pattern markings to guide you with the placement.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

STEP 9b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the EARS<\/strong><\/span> to the FACE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> with a 3mm(\u215b inch) seam allowance to hold them in this position.<\/p>\n

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

FRONT PIECES:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 10
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FRONT PIECES<\/strong><\/span> together along the front seam from K – O.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake-Bear-Pattern-front\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 11
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FRONT PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the FACE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> from H – K – H (at the neck seam).<\/p>\n

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

BACK:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 12
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the BACK HEAD PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> from H – J (at the neck seam).<\/p>\n

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

TAIL:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 13a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> together, leaving the straight edge open.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 13b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Clip the seam allowance of the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> very well and turn the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> right sides out. Stuff the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> with toy stuffing (don\u2019t make it too fat). Pin the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> closed along the straight edge.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 14a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the TAIL<\/strong><\/span> to one of the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, using the pattern markings to guide you.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake<\/p>\n

STEP 14b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the BACK HEAD & BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> together along the back seam. Sew from F at the top of the BACK HEAD PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to L at the bottom of the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, leaving the gap open (between R and Q) for stuffing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ARMS:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 15a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew each UPPER ARM PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to an UNDER ARM PIECE<\/strong><\/span>, leaving them open as shown in the pattern markings and leaving the gap open for stuffing.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 15b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Clip the seam allowance, turn the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> right sides out and use a chopstick to smooth the seams.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 15c
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fold the top of the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> so that the seams line up in the middle (center), and pin the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> closed.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake-Bear-pattern-arms<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 16a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the ARM PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, matching the 3 dots of the pattern markings, so the UPPER ARM PIECES<\/strong><\/span> are closest to the neck seam.<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake-Bear-arms-sewn-in-seams\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> NB* It is very important to check that the stuffing gap of the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> are facing towards the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> when you pin the ARM<\/strong>S<\/strong><\/span> on or the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> will be on backwards!<\/p>\n

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

STEP 16b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> to the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> with a 3mm(\u215b inch) seam allowance to hold them in this position.<\/p>\n

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

BACK and FRONT:<\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 17a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the FACE & FRONT PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the BACK HEAD & BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> (along the sides) with the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and EARS<\/strong><\/span> in between.<\/p>\n

\"Memory<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> USE LOTS of pins so the pieces don’t slip as you sew!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

STEP 17b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the FACE & FRONT PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the BACK HEAD & BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> from M – F (at the top of the head) – M on the other side.<\/p>\n

\"Memory<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 18
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fold and pin the BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span> with the fabric right sides together and sew the back darts as shown on the pattern markings.<\/p>\n

\"Memory<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong>\u00a0This is what the pieces should look like from the front now.<\/p>\n

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

LEGS:<\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 19
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sew the LEG PIECES<\/strong><\/span> together in pairs leaving them open at the top and bottom and leaving a gap open for turning and stuffing.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 20
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin and sew the FOOT PAD PIECES<\/strong><\/span> to the LEG PIECES<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP: <\/strong>I have a tutorial on my blog to show you how to sew perfect plushie feet<\/strong><\/a><\/span> – it’s easy when you know how!<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 21a
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Clip the seam allowance and turn the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> right sides out and use a chopstick to smooth the seams. ** Do NOT<\/strong><\/span> stuff the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> now.**<\/p>\n

\"Keepsake<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STEP 21b
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fold the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> so that the seams line up in the middle of each LEG<\/strong><\/span>, and pin the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> closed.<\/p>\n

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

\n

STEP 22
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> to the TUMMY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> , using the pattern markings to guide you, and sew them to the TUMMY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> with a 3mm(\u215b inch) seam allowance.\u00a0To make sure the bear\u2019s LEGS<\/strong><\/span> will face the front, you must pin them with the \u201ctoes\u201d touching the TUMMY<\/strong><\/span> and FRONT PIECES<\/strong><\/span>. Check this now before you sew the next step!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> If the toy is for a young child, go back and zig-zag across the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> to make them nice and secure.<\/p>\n

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

TUMMY & BASE:<\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 23
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pin the BASE PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to the TUMMY PIECE<\/strong><\/span> with the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> in between. Sew from M – P – M with the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> in between.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong>\u00a0This is what the pieces should look like, from the front, with the top of the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> sewn between the TUMMY<\/strong><\/span> and BASE PIECE<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0and the ‘toes’ facing the front.<\/p>\n

\"keepsake-bear-pattern-toes\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 24
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Push the LEGS<\/strong><\/span> ‘inside’ the body so you can pin the TUMMY & BASE PIECE<\/strong><\/span> to the FRONT & BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, with the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span> \u2018inside the body\u2019. Match points O (at the front), points L (at back) and points M (on both sides). Sew the\u00a0TUMMY & BASE PIECE<\/strong> <\/span>to the FRONT & BACK PIECES<\/strong><\/span>, sew right around (without a gap).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> This is a tricky seam to sew so use LOTS of pins so the pieces don\u2019t slip as you sew. Take your time as you sew. Sew with the TUMMY & BASE PIECES<\/strong><\/span> down.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

ASSEMBLY:<\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 25
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Turn the bear right sides out through the turning gap. Stuff head and muzzle area first.<\/p>\n

\"Alt-Keepsake-bear-stuffing\"<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> Make sure the MUZZLE<\/strong><\/span> area is nice and firmly stuffed so that it makes it easy to sew the NOSE<\/strong><\/span> and mouth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

STEP 25
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Stuff the body firmly then sew the stuffing gap closed with a ladder stitch. Stuff the ARMS<\/strong><\/span> and LEGS<\/strong><\/span> and sew the stuffing gaps closed with a ladder stitch.<\/p>\n

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

FACE:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

STEP 27
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

If you are hand-embroidering the eyes, sew these now. Cut the NOSE PIECE<\/strong><\/span> from felt and pin this in position. Sew the mouth, hiding the starting and finishing knots under the felt of the nose. Using the photo to guide you:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Sew into the MUZZLE<\/strong><\/span> at A and come out at B. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Making sure you keep the mouth stitches rounded, sew back in at C and come out at D. <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Sew back in at B and come out at A to create the “smile”. <\/span><\/li>\n
  4. To create the long downward stitch from the nose, sew back in at B and come out at A. <\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Finish off with a knot.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Sew the NOSE<\/strong><\/span> in place with embroidery thread and a blanket stitch.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    TIP:<\/strong> If the toy is for a young child use embroidery thread to hand embroider eyes using a satin stitch. instead of craft eyes. I have a post about toy safety <\/strong><\/a>on my blog with more toy safety tips and guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

    Your Keepsake Bear is ready to LOVE!<\/em><\/span><\/h1>\n

    Come join the fun on Facebook!<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

    \"Facebook
    \n
    \n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    I LOVE to see how your Funky Friends toys turn out! <\/strong><\/span>
    \n
    \n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you sew lovely keepsake with this pattern – come show them off ~><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    post a photo on my<\/span> Funky Friends Factory Facebook page<\/span><\/a><\/strong> for me to see and YOU could<\/span> win a FREE PATTERN!<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n


    \"Pauline<\/p>\n

    Till next time,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Happy Sewing, <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Pauline<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Yeeeeehar!!!! My new Keepsake Bear Pattern photo tutorial is ready\u00a0~> scroll down for step-by-step photos! This baby-faced teddy bear was designed specifically for sewing keepsakes! With an adorable heart-shaped nose, a cute little upturned muzzle, swinging arms and legs, (sewn into seams for easy construction), 4 large flat spaces for embroidery (tummy, back, arms AND […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-761","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=761"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37257,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/761\/revisions\/37257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}