Papa's Teddy Bear

For this Father's Day I wanted to make my Dad something special. His father (my Papa) passed away last summer and this is his first Father's Day without him. His late wife gave me a few of his cotton shirts to make a quilt. For Dad I used a sleeve from one shirt to make a teddy bear for him. (All the plaid is from the shirt).

My Aunt Gina and I got together a couple weekends ago to each make a bear. She made one out of her late father-in-law's flannel pajamas. It's funny that we were following the same pattern and both bears came out very different. We used this tutorial from How Joyful. This pattern comes with a disclaimer that it's not for beginners! I wouldn't say I am a beginner sewer, but this was my first plush animal. Considering the three dimensional learning curve, it wasn't too bad. Sewing around the mouth was most challenging. I made a few "oops" for example on his foot below, not all the linen caught. I added some big stitches to hide some of my mistakes and add a little extra detail. Overall he turned out better than expected :) 

Here is his little butt tattoo, I just left it Dad, as it was to my Dad with material from his Dad. I thought by not being specific it would have more meaning. 

My father is very manly, plaid flannel, work boots, multiple tractors man. I never know what to get him (other than chocolate chip cookies) he has everything! When I asked my Mom if he would even like a bear, before cutting into this sacred material, she said he would like it. He did like his bear!  Not his typical type of gift, but was appreciated. Hopefully Papa is looking down and also appreciates the gesture, he wasn't a man of many words so I will never know.  

Sew long for now, 

Patch & Chels