Cuddle up with Jennie Jones’ simple T-shirt teddy, which can be sewn by hand or machine. It's the perfect quick-sew project if you're looking for something to make in just one evening.
For this project, we've chosen a refashioning theme - take a comfy soft T-shirt and turn it into a toy! It's perfect for a last minute Christmas present.
Designer Jennie says: “I’ve used a T-shirt to make this quick, simple, sleepy bear, but it would also be great to use old baby grows to make a little softie for your child to keep as a handmade family heirloom.
If you are going to give it to a little one, it would be safer to leave out the felt scraps and stitch on the detailing instead.”
Read on to find Jenny's free tutorial for how to turn a t-shirt into a teddy toy.
How to sew a T-shirt teddy
You will need
- T-shirt
- Felt scraps
- Toy stuffing or wadding
- Basic sewing kit
- Templates: Download our issue 11 sewing pattern sheet to find the template for this project
![SSM011_TAT_MAIN.jpg](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/51/2019/09/How-to-make-a-teddy-bear-blog-4c6d108.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
How to make your teddy toy
Step one: Turn the T-shirt inside out, then pin on your bear template. Cut 5mm (1⁄4in) outside the pattern for a seam allowance, through the front and back. Pin together.
Step two: Sew along the outside edge of your bear, using a zigzag stitch and leaving a 4cm (15⁄8in) gap on one leg for turning. Stitch around the bear again, using a straight stitch this time for added strength.
![T-shirt teddy bear project step 1](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/51/2019/09/How-to-sew-a-teddy-step-1-65aa1a6.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
Step three: Turn the bear right side out and stuff quite firmly. Turn the excess fabric at the turning gap to the inside and slip stitch the opening closed.
![T-shirt teddy bear project step 2](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/51/2019/09/How-to-make-a-teddy-bear-step-2-0e17d9b.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
Step four: Cut a 4x6cm (15⁄8x23⁄8in) scrap of felt. Pinch this in the middle and fold a T-shirt scrap around the centre to make a bow, and sew. Stitch the bow onto your bear.
![T-shirt teddy bear project step 3](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/51/2019/09/How-to-make-a-teddy-bear-step-3-1d36402.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
Step five: Following the template for positioning, sew on a felt nose. For the eyes and mouth, make one long stitch for each and work loops over to make them curved.
![T-shirt teddy bear project step 4](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/51/2019/09/How-to-make-a-teddy-bear-step-4-2632bd0.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)