How to Make a Teddy Bear Out of Shirts

mmmm, what better way to stay warm than snuggling up against a teddy bear! Making teddy bears can be as simple as you please or as challenging as you dare, as long as you have fun. This perfect i'able will be perfect for gifts, or just if you are clearing out the wardrobe. Most of all, have loads of good ol' fun!

Step 1: Stuff You Will Need

The materials you will need are-
As as many old shirts, trousers, ties, socks or gloves that you will need,
A needle
Thread
Beads(optional)
Paper or stiff card
If you want to have it posable, thin strong wire.

Step 2: Templates

Cut templates out of card. This means that if u make a mistake because you cut it wrong, dont come crying to me! A simple teddy bear template would be a round tummy, arm, leg and head. You only need one of each template, and also add the other limbs you may need such as wings or an extended neck. for a very simple teddy, the one below is perfect, like for kids(Or adults who cant sew!)

Step 3: Start Cutting!

Cut along one seam on one side of the material, so it opens fully out, similar to a jacket. Then, taking a marker pen, draw as many pieces of material as you need. For a reptilian like animal, or a horse of giraffe type animal, three pieces of material will be needed. For a teddy, only two. Like this pic below.

Step 4: Sewing

If you are making a posable animal, you must ever-so-carefully fold the top of an arm, leg, wing or neck and sew it up. Use tacking needles if you need to hold your teddy in place whilst sewing. A simple 'tacking stich' which is going in one way, then a short way off going back out again. Then push the wire throungh and thats it. Then swe the other piece of material on. Do this for all peices of material and sew them to the body BUT LEAVE ABOUT 5CM OFF FOR STUFFING!!!!! push the needle through the material for later use.

Step 5: Stuffing

The good thing about tee-shirt teddy bears is that you only need the shirt. Cut pieces of the leftover material and stuff it inside. Then sew the remaning pieces up. Using your finger and thumb, GENTLY push the material into the limbs. The beauty of tee shirt teddys is that a beginner can make something beautiful. Snuggle up warm with your new matey.