Free Teddy Bear that Lies Down Pattern

Pattern Description:

The Honey Teddy is an easy-to-follow soft toy sewing pattern designed for simplicity. It is not a traditional, jointed bear, as its arms and legs are sewn into the seams, eliminating the need for special jointing techniques. 

This adorable bear features slightly knocked knees and a cute little bottom in the air. It teaches the basics of making and sewing soft toys.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

• Materials:
  • Fabric: Most fabrics can be used, with quilting cottons or fleece recommended for cuddliness.
  • Toy stuffing.
  • Craft eyes (optional).
  • Beads or buttons for eyes (optional).
  • Felt circles for eyes (recommended for children under 3 years old).
  • Pink embroidery thread (for the nose).
  • Pink felt (optional, for the nose).
  • Ribbon (for the neck).
  • Sewing machine thread (double strand recommended for ladder stitch).
  • Pins.
  • A wooden chopstick (useful for turning seams).
• Measurements:
  • Seam allowance: A 5mm (¼ inch) seam allowance is generally included in the pattern pieces.
  • For securing the ears: A 3mm (¼ inch) seam allowance is used.
  • For securing the arms and legs (especially for young children): A 3mm (¼ inch) seam allowance is recommended for extra strength.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used:

• Stitches:
  • Sewing (general) [1, 2, 4, etc.].
  • Clipping seams.
  • Embroidering (for eyes and nose).
  • Satin stitch (for the nose).
  • Ladder stitch (for closing stuffing gaps).
• Abbreviations:
  • mm: millimeter.
  • inch: inch.
  • ¼ inch: one-quarter inch.
  • Pattern Markings: Letters such as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, L, M, N are used to guide assembly.

Instructions for Making the Teddy Bear that Lies Down Pattern:

Head Assembly:

• Snout: Pin the Snout Piece to the Front Head Piece, matching points A and B, along with the three dot pattern markings. Sew these pieces together from A to B.
• Ears: Sew the Ear Pieces together in pairs, leaving the straight edge open. Clip the seams, turn them right side out, and pin the straight edge closed. Do not stuff the ears. Tip: Use a wooden chopstick to help turn seams nicely and make them smooth.
• Attach Ears: Pin the prepared Ears in position on the Front Head Piece following the pattern markings. Sew them to the Front Head Piece with a 3mm (¼ inch) seam allowance to secure them and prevent them from looking wonky.
• Back Head: Sew the Back Head Pieces together from C to D.
• Complete Head: Pin the Back Head Pieces to the Front Head Piece, ensuring the Ears are sandwiched in between. Sew the side seam from E to D, continuing to E on the other side of the head.

Snout Closure and Eyes:

• Close Snout: Fold the Snout Piece at point F. Sew the Snout Piece, Front Head, and Back Head Pieces closed from F (passing via A/B) to E, and then to G. Refer to the Head Sewing Diagram for guidance.
• Insert Craft Eyes: If you are using craft eyes, insert them at this stage. If you plan to embroider the eyes, this step will be completed after the head is stuffed.

Tail Assembly:

• Sew Tail: Sew the Tail Pieces together, leaving the flat edge open.
• Stuff Tail: Clip the seams well, turn the Tail Pieces right side out, and place a small amount of toy stuffing inside. Pin the straight edge closed.
• Attach Tail to Body: Pin the prepared Tail in position on the Top Body Pieces. Sew the Top Body Pieces together from L to M, making sure the Tail is securely caught within this seam. Check immediately and unpick if the tail is not properly secured.

Arm and Leg Preparation:

• Arms: Sew the Arm Pieces together in pairs, leaving them open at the top and remembering to leave a gap for stuffing later. Clip the seams well, turn the Arms right side out, and pin them closed at the top.
• Legs: Sew one Inner Leg Piece to one Outer Leg Piece, repeating for the other leg. Leave a gap open for stuffing later. Turn the legs right side out. Note: For clarity in the photo tutorial, the Inner Leg pieces were made from orange fabric and Outer Leg pieces from blue fabric.
• Fold Legs: Fold the Leg Pieces so the seams meet in the middle, and pin them securely. Use the Leg Folding Diagram as a guide.

Body Assembly:

• Position Limbs on Tummy: Place the Tummy Piece with the fabric right side up. Pin one arm and one leg in position on one side of the Tummy Piece, then repeat for the other arm and leg on the other side. Doing one side at a time can make this step easier. Double-check that the “toes” of both legs are facing or touching the table. Tip: If the toy is for a young child, it is recommended to sew the Arm and Leg Pieces to the Tummy Piece with a 3mm (¼ inch) seam allowance for extra strength.
• Attach Top Body to Tummy: Pin the Top Body Pieces to the Tummy Piece, with the arms and legs pushed inside (fold/roll them up tightly). Sew the Top Body Pieces to the Tummy Piece from N to L and then to N, remembering to leave a stuffing gap open on one side between an arm and a leg.

Neck Seam:

• Join Head to Body: With right sides together, pin and sew the head to the body at the neck seam, matching point G. Tip: Turn the head right side out and position it inside the body to help align and pin the pieces with the fabric right sides together.
• Close Top Body: Pull the head back out of the body and sew the teddy closed along the top of the Top Body Pieces and Back Head Pieces.

Finishing and Stuffing:

• Turn Right Side Out: Turn the entire teddy right side out through the stuffing gap left in the body.
• Stuff Head and Body: Fill the head area very firmly with toy stuffing to ensure it is nice and round. Then, proceed to fill the rest of the body.
• Stuff Arms and Legs: Fill the arms and legs with toy stuffing.

Facial Features:

• Eyes: If you are using beads or buttons for eyes, sew them on now. For a Honey Teddy intended for a child under the age of 3, it is safest to use felt circles for the eyes or to embroider them.
• Nose: Embroider the nose using pink embroidery thread in a satin stitch to form an upside-down triangle. Alternatively, if even stitching is challenging, you can glue a piece of pink felt in position for the nose.

Final Touches:

• Close Gaps: Sew up all remaining stuffing gaps (on the body’s side, arms, and legs) using a ladder stitch. It’s advised to use a double strand of machine thread and make your stitches as small as possible for a neat finish.
• Ribbon: Tie a ribbon around your teddy’s neck with a cute bow to complete your Honey Teddy Bear.

Your completed Honey Teddy Bear is now ready to be loved!

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