GENERAL PREPARATION

For the bear, glue the pattern pages onto card or thick paper and cut out the pattern pieces to make your templates. Lay the fleece right side down with the grain/pile running down towards you. (Most stretch - sideways.) Place your templates onto the wrong side of the fabric making sure the arrows point towards you. Trace the templates with a permanent marker and cut out your pieces. (Be careful not to press too hard or the ink will smudge and may even show through your white material on the right side.)

For the blankie, cut a square of fleece and a square of a contrasting fabric (cotton, velour or fleece.) Both should be 23" square (60cm square).

SEWING YOUR BLANKIE

Sew the blanket squares together with the RIGHT SIDES OUT. This feels strange but your binding will cover the edges. I like to use the longest stitch on my sewing machine because a zigzag or a tight stitch will cause the blanket edge to curl/pucker.

I also sew a cross at the center of the blanket to hold the 2 layers together until I sew the Bear in place.

Using pre-made satin binding, edge your baby blankie. Use the picture guide provided with this pattern.

SEWING YOUR BEAR

Place your fleece for the arms right sides together then sew right around the arm shape on the sewing line. Cut the arms out with a 5mm/1/4inch seam allowance. Cut the hole for stuffing the arms, on ONE side only.

Turn the arms right sides out through this hole and stuff them with synthetic toy stuffing.

Sew the hole closed with a ladder stitch.

Sew the back head pieces together from C - D.

Sew the snout piece to the front head piece from A - B.

Sew the ear pieces together and turn right side out.

Place the ears in position and sew the back head pieces to the front head piece at the side seam, sew from E - D and then down the other side of the head - E.

Fold the snout at F so you can sew the snout, front head pieces and back head pieces closed from F- (via A/B) - E - G.

Now for a secret trick! Take the piece of fleece that you saved when you cut out the head, and with the head still inside out, sew this by hand over the opening to the snout (very roughly – no need to be neat) Leave just a small opening for you to push the synthetic stuffing into the snout area. This is such a clever trick because it holds the stuffing inside the snout so you can make it nice and firm. Stitch the opening closed when you have finished stuffing the snout really well.

With the head still inside out, pin and sew the neck piece in place, remember to leave an opening for stuffing the head.

ASSEMBLING YOUR BEAR

Insert your safety eyes. You may need to use a pair of fine scissors to cut a small hole to push the eyes through into the head. If you can’t find safety eyes you can embroider eyes with black embroidery thread. Stuff the head well with synthetic toy stuffing, then sew the opening closed at the neck piece with a ladder stitch. Using the photo as a guide, sew the nose with pink embroidery thread.

ASSEMBLING YOUR BLANKET

Pace the arms in the center of the blanket with the head on top. When you are happy that your bear looks cute, pin the blanket to the head just in front of and just behind the arms. I also like to pin the blanket to the top of the arms so it holds the Bear more securely.

Check that the blanket will look good when you hold the bear up by the ears, then use a strong thread, (the same colour as the underside of the blanket, if you can) to sew the bear to the blanket.

Your little baby bear blankie is ready to cuddly!