Bob's Bears

 Bob's wife Linda contacted me to make 8 bears and a pillow back in the fall.

For Bob's bears, I used the Ben Bear pattern from Funky Friends Factory. I enlarged it 125%. When I use this pattern, I like them a bit bigger than how the pattern is originally. Their patterns are so nice to work with and always turn out well.  

The brown and green bear is made from a flannel and Minky shirt. The Minky was the lining of the shirt. The green fabric is fleece.  I used the brown Minky for ears and feet of a couple of the other bears too. 

The purple and brown bear was made from a purple polo shirt and corduroy pair of pants. They worked together so well. I used the corduroy for ears and feet of a couple other bears too. 

These two cuties were made from a black henley type shirt and a red bandana and a blue T-shirt with a nice image that says 'Florida' on it with a boat. Linda asked that I try to utilize the boat and the word Florida. It worked out perfectly. 

These two gentlemen were made from rayon dress shirts. Notice I used the corduroy for the ears and feet of the burgundy bear and the Minky for the peach-colored bear.  

The salmon-colored striped bear is made with a polo shirt. I love how the collar turned out on him.  Notice I used the corduroy for his ears and feet.  The green and burgundy bear was made from a heavy burgundy men's shirt. The type that are super warm and cozy. The green and burgundy are a fleece blanket. They complimented each other so well. 

Bob's class was the first class to graduate from his high school in 1970. Linda thought that someday, she might decide to donate the jacket back to the school. The jacket was too precious to cut up to make into a bear. So, I thought a pillow would work. I measured and made a custom pillow form to fit inside the jacket, and I tacked the neckline and the bottom band with a few stitches. If Linda ever decides she would like to donate the jacket, all she has to do is snip the stitches and it's back to its old self.  The jacket was in such wonderful condition; I just couldn't cut it. 

 I truly hope Bob's bears help his family with their grief.  It was an honor to be asked to make them.