How to Sew Pajamas for a Teddy Bear

Take measurements of your bear. You are going to want to use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of your bear. The body parts you want to measure are:

• Arms
• Neck
• Waist
• Legs
• Head

Draft a simple pattern based on these measurements. Now that you have found the circumference of these parts, you will want to divide it in half, and add about a half inch, or a centimeter, on each side for ease and seam allowance. If your final fabric is going to be stretchy, like a knit t-shirt fabric, you don't need too much ease; however, if it is less stretchy, like a flannel, you want more ease. You will want to draft a pattern for a shirt, a pattern for pants, and possibly a hat.

Create a muslin from your pattern. This step is optional. A muslin is a test piece, made from a plain fabric. It is useful because it helps adjust fit and practice sewing the final piece. It does not have to be made of muslin, it can just be ordinary scrap fabric. Another benefit of using a muslin is that if you are happy with the way it fits, you can use it as a spare pair of pajamas. To make it look better, you could dye it, or just leave it alone.

Cut and pin the fabric you want to use. Remember that if you want to have the seams on the inside, sew it right sides together. This means that the sides with the pattern or design you want face each other.

Sew the pieces you cut together.

• If you are using a sewing machine, find a thread you like that can be used in a machine and create a couple bobbins for it. Bobbins are needed to be able to sew with a machine. Then, adjust the stitch length to where you want it and begin to sew. Be sure not to sew shut the arm, leg, waist, or head holes.
• If you are sewing by hand, find a thread you like, pull it to about arm's length, thread your needle, pull the needle to the center of the thread, and tie the two ends of thread together. Begin to sew, being sure not to sew shut arm, leg, waist, or head holes.

Turn your piece inside out. If you did it properly, then the pattern should be facing outwards, with seams being on the inside.

Iron your piece. Depending on the fabric, you will want to turn it to different temperatures. You don't need to iron your piece, but it looks better if you do.