How to Sew a Cuddle® Teddy Bear (Melly & Me Buddy Sewing Tutorial)

Let’s take a step back in time and welcome a bit of nostalgia for a moment — what was one of your favorite toys growing up?

We’d be willing to guess that you had a teddy bear or stuffed animal of some kind by your side long past your elementary years. These “friends” become more than just fabric and stuffing, they’re companions who are always there to lend an ear and to comfort you in times of need. 

See Related: How to Sew an Elephant Stuffed Animal (with Pattern & Video Tutorial)

This week our National Educator Teresa Coates shares her tips on how to sew one of our cutest Sew Together Tuesday projects to date — a stuffed teddy bear made with Cuddle® and Luxe Cuddle® fabrics.

She’s using the Buddy teddy bear pattern from our friends at Melly & Me, and it can be purchased as either a hard copy (SKU: MM151) or as a digital PDF instant download that can be printed at home (SKU: MM151D). And just for our fans and followers, Melly & Me is offering 20% off these patterns with code BUDDY20.

Teresa shows how this pattern is great for any experience level, and it’s easily customizable depending on the look and feel you’re going for.

Happy sewing! 

Fabrics and notions you’ll need to sew a Cuddle® teddy bear (Melly & Me Buddy)

These products can be substituted for whatever you have on hand, but here is what Teresa recommends for her Cuddle® teddy bear tutorial:

Fabric requirements:

• Cuddle® version: Cuddle® 3 Cappuccino, Black, Latte, Yellow, Aqua, Blush
• Luxe Cuddle® version (with Cuddle® 3 accents): Luxe Cuddle® Glacier Pecan; Cuddle® 3 Black, Natural, Blush

Suggested notions:

• 45mm rotary cutter (OLFA) or art knife (OLFA SAC-1)
• 90/14 Stretch needle (SCHMETZ)
• Basting spray (505 by ODIF)
• Flower Head pins (Clover)
• Felt tip marker
• Hand sewing needle
• Micro serrated scissors (Kai or Famore)
• Polyester fiberfill (Royal Silk by Fairfield World)
• Polyester thread (Metrosene by Mettler)
• Self-Healing cutting mat (Olfa)
• Stiletto (Stiletto and Pressing Tool by ByAnnie)
• Water Soluble Stabilizer (Sulky)

Instructions for sewing a Cuddle® teddy bear (Melly & Me Buddy)

• Use Cuddle® 3 if you’re new to sewing Cuddle® and/or want to do the cute little patches.
• Use Luxe Cuddle® if you prefer the fluffiness and don’t want to include patches (I found they weren’t as cute on the Luxe Cuddle®).
• Trace stitching lines onto water soluble stabilizer for machine stitching. Hand-stitching is optional, if you prefer.
• Use a zig zag stitch (2.5 wide, 2.0 long), straight stitch (2.5mm) or blanket stitch (2.5 wide, 1.8 long) for applique.
• For mouth and nose stitching lines, I used a narrow and tight zig zag (1.5 wide, 1.6 long) with black thread.
• Use buttons or safety eyes only for older children. For infants and toddlers, applique or embroider the eyes.

Video tutorial: How to sew a Cuddle® teddy bear (Melly & Me Buddy)

Mark your calendar — as part of Sew Together Tuesday, Teresa will be going LIVE on the Shannon Fabrics Facebook page and YouTube channel at 10 am PDT on January 26 to share her tips on how to sew a Cuddle® teddy bear.

Can't make it? Check back here at 12 pm pacific after her live video concludes for the embedded on-demand video.

If you have any questions about our fabrics or any of our Cuddle® Kits, feel free to contact our friendly, no-pressure customer service team at 866-624-5252.

Ready to start sewing? Use our store locator to find a selection of our fabrics online or near you.