Sewing the Arms: Select #1 inside arm and #1 outside arm and cut them out. Pin the two arm pieces, right sides together, matching all the construction marks. Start at the top "leave open" mark and stitch all around the arm top down around the paw and back up to the bottom "leave open" mark. Clip the curves. Make sure the disk will fit evenly into the top curve of the arm. Follow the jointing instructions to assemble the disk joint and place it inside the arm. Stuff the arm following the general stuffing procedures. Sew the arm opening closed with upholstery thread and a ladder stitch. Poke a hole in the body from the outside to the inside at the joint arm mark on the body. Attach the arm to the body following the jointing instructions. Repeat the procedure for the other arm using pattern pieces #2. There is now a stuffed head, two stuffed legs and two stuffed arms joined to the un-stuffed body.
Stuffing the Body: The bear is now ready for the body to be stuffed. Start with a little stuffing in the bottom of the body between the legs. Stuff firmly enough to separate and pad the joints from each other, but not enough to distort the bottom of the body between the legs, or the legs will be forced too far apart. Continue stuffing the body following the general stuffing procedure. The "tush", tummy and front, shoulders and neck should be very firmly stuffed so the bear will sit up straight and not slouch. The sides and back midsection are not quite as firm to allow for a good closing. Use upholstery thread and a ladder stitch and sew the back opening together. Take your time and use small stitches, as the back is shaped and more difficult to close than a straight opening.
Finishing: Inspect all the seams in your bear for trapped fur. Release the fur by inserting a large needle under the fur and lifting it gently out. Gently brush him.
Embroider thread claws on each paw if desired.
Shade the inside of the ear, depending on the fabric used, with a colored pencil or powdered cheek blusher. Dampen the ears and shape them as desired. You can use tape to hold them in place until they are dry. This works best on a collector's bear because it is not permanent and if the bear is played with, the ears will go back to their original shape.
You can also trim (scissor sculpt) the fur between and on the inside corner underneath the eyes, if you wish, so the eyes are not hidden behind the fur. However, be very careful with this step because once you cut it, you obviously can't put it back! Trim very scant amounts of the fur and stop often to look to make sure you don't go too far.
To complete your bear, tie a ribbon around the neck, if you wish!
Click on the link below to print or download the patterns and instructions ( without the photo illustrations ) in Microsoft Word format.
Below are the links to download or print the pattern in Adobe format click the links below. You will need the free Adobe Reader program to access these files:
