Flat Teddy Bear sewing tutorial (with free templates!)

Sew a quick and easy flat teddy with this free sewing tutorial and downloadable pattern pieces.

My son’s favorite toy from a very young age was an adorable flat teddy. The simple flat design is easy for little fingers to hold. The simple hand-embroidered face is suitable for young children.

Now, this is one of my go-to projects when sewing a baby shower gift.

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It can be sewn from a fat quarter of just about any cuddly fabric – fleece, fur, flannel or quilting cotton. I love sewing it up in a soft an snuggly minky.

I prefer to embroider the face with a similar floss color to the fabric, for a subtle and sweet style (and to hide my less than perfect embroidery skills!). You could go for more contrast if you prefer (or even add your own machine embroidery).

The finished size of the teddy bear is approximately 10.5 inches (26.5cm) tall.

So gather your supplies, download the free pattern pieces and follow the tutorial here:

Supplies

The first thing you’ll need is your free Flat Teddy pattern template. You can get your free copy here:

Want an ad-free printable PDF version of the Flat Teddy sewing pattern, including step-by-step photos? Head to the Threadistry Etsy store to purchase a copy at a low price.

• Fat quarter of fabric (I’ve used minky, but fleece, fur, flannel or quilting cotton would also work)
• Fiber fill (or your preferred stuffing material)
• Small amount of embroidery floss
• Thread, Needles, Pins, Scissors, Rotary Cutter
• Sewing Machine

Instructions

Watch the video or scroll down for the photo tutorial:

https://youtu.be/mckXsOf8Q_Y

Step 1: Cut out pattern pieces. You’ll need:

• 2 body pieces
• 4 ear pieces (2 sets mirrored)
• 4 arm pieces (2 sets mirrored)
• 4 leg pieces (2 sets mirrored)

Step 2: Transfer face markings and markings for the ears, arms and legs placement to the right side of one body piece.

Step 3: Embroidery the face using 6 strands of embroidery floss.

Step 4: With right sides together, sew around the outside of the ear pieces (with a 1/4 inch/6mm seam allowance). Leave the side that attaches to the body open (the side that curves in).

Step 5: With right sides together, sew around the outside of the arm and leg pieces (with a 1/4 inch/6mm seam allowance). Leave the side that attaches to the body open (the side that curves in).

Step 6: Depending on your fabric, trim or notch the curves. I find this isn’t necessary with minky. Turn ear, arm and leg pieces right sides out and press.

Step 7:

Step 8: Pin the ears, arms and leg pieces onto the right side of the embroidered body piece, as per the pattern markings. You will need to manipulate the small pieces to line up the inside and outside curve. I recommend using at least 3 pins to get everything lined up.

Step 9: Stitch into place with a basting stitch (by hand or on the sewing machine) just less than 1/4 inch/6mm from the edge.

Step 10: Pin the front and back body pieces right sides together, making sure to tuck in the arms, legs and ears. I recommend using LOTS of pins, especially where the arms, legs and ears pull the edge of the fabric inwards.

Tip: Place to pins in an X pattern where you want to stop sewing to make sure you leave a gap for turning the bear.

Step 11: Sew around the body with a 1/4 inch/6mm seam allowance, leaving a gap between the legs for turning.

Step 12: Snip the seam allowance where the head and body meet. Trim the seam allowance and/or clip the curves.

Step 13: Turn the teddy bear rights sides out through the gap between the legs. You may want to run a turning tool, chopstick or just your finger along the seams to get a smooth seam, and press.

Step 14: Stuff the teddy with your preferred amount of polyfill. I recommend the snuggle test to get it just right: give it a quick cuddle to see how it feels. When it feels right, add just a little bit more to allow for the stuffing compressing over time.

Step 15: Hand-stitch the gap between the legs closed with a ladder stitch.

And there you have a cute and cuddly teddy bear! Time for snuggles!