When Trixie of Coloured Buttons asked me if I would like to be a part of Sew a Softie Day I knew immediately what I’d like to make; a bear! Now I’m not an experienced toy maker, I’ve made a deer once using a fabulous pattern from Jodi of Ric Rac – that’s about the extent of it, but Sew a Softie Day is all about getting out of your comfort zone and having a go so I did. Sizzix have a great die for making a Bear Softee (click here to purchase) so I decided to put it to work to whip up a colourful little bear. Lucky for me I also had a lovely assortment of Riley Blake Confetti Solids thanks to the June Sew Sampler.

I love this message from Trixie about the origins of Sew a Softie Day:

Sew-a-softie day is an annual celebration of the age-old skill of sewing: a creative, practical, social, low-cost skill that has been largely lost in today’s consumer society of mass produced, disposable commodities. Sew-A-Softie day encourages adults and children of all ages to turn off their computers, put down their smartphones and experience the joy and fulfilment of creating a unique object with their own hands.

It’s true – there’s something so fulfilling and satisfying about making something unique and special with your own hands. I literally sewed the final seam when the bear was whisked off by the Little Man to keep him company in his latest pillow fort. The lad never plays with soft toys so I was really surprised, especially given I thought the bear would be keeping me company in the sewing room. Oh well, it’s good to see him getting some love.

If you’d like to make a bear just like this here’s what you need to know.

Materials

• Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit (Click here to purchase)
• Sizzix Bigz Plus Die – Bear Softee (Click here to purchase)
• Riley Blake Crayola Fat Quarter Box (Click here to purchase)
• Polyfill (Click here to purchase)
• 4.5mm Black Safety Eyes (Click here to purchase)
• Sewing Machine and basic sewing supplies

Sew a Bear Softee Video Tutorial

How I Did It

I followed the video tutorial from Sizzix to make my bear, I just used a sewing machine instead of hand sewing. I also used the Heart Shapes available on the die that comes in the Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit to add hearts to the front of my bear (just zigzag stitch around the edges to secure). I used the safety eyes that I had left over from making my felt deer instead of embroidering eyes. (I’m all about the easy!) I made him in a couple of hours of interrupted sewing. The hardest thing was turning the legs and arms inside out and I just used a chop stick to do this.

He’s not perfect, but seriously that little face is just so cute and I know that the more I make the better I’ll get. Having the die set means that it will be so much easier to make more and to be consistent with them. I’m really looking forward to playing some more.

If you’d like to make a softie then I’d highly recommend checking out the Sew a Softie Day Facebook Group – there’s some amazing tutorials and softies being shared. It’s also a great place to get advice and tap into the experts, like Trixie. If you do make a softie be sure to share it on social media with the hashtag #sasday2016.

Disclosure: Sizzix are a sponsor of GnomeAngel.com. Sizzix provided promotional products in exchange for this tutorial. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!