Pocket Bear

This little guy was made for a dear friend going through ovarian cancer. I wanted something for her to put in her purse or pocket to comfort her while she had her chemo. I found the cutest little pattern and got to work. The pattern pieces were tiny! I am so happy with how he turned out. My friend loves the color purple that's why he's a purple bear. 

I didn't know how to photograph him for my blog so I put him on my stove and used salt and pepper shakers and a highlighter for size reference. He is only about 3 inches high! The pattern didn't call for eyebrows and a smile. I feel all bears need a smile. And little ones need eyebrows!  

Sharp Dressed Bear

Can you hear the ZZ Top song Sharp Dressed Man?  That is the song I think of when I think of this bear. He is a sharp dressed bear made from a stunning gray men's suit jacket.

I had never made a bear from a man's suit jacket before. I find it fascinating to deconstruct each new article of clothing for each bear I make.

 The suit jacket had little hidden details that were fabulous. I tried to use as much of the little details as possible. This jacket had two different fabrics for lining. The lining of the body and back of the suit was a beautiful gray paisley. The lining of the sleeves was a crisp white with a stripe.  I used the sleeve lining for the ears and soles of the bear's feet. And I made a vest from the body and back lining. I am so happy how he turned out. 

This bear was made for my friend who is a counselor.  Every now and then she requests a bear for one of her clients. Because of privacy laws, I never know anything about the person whose clothing I am using or the recipient of the bear. I am thankful this bear recipient trusted me to cut up their loved one's suit to make a bear. I hope this little guy gives them comfort. 

Cathy's Bears

 I don't usually repair bears. This was a special case. Reconstruction of these bears was a special request from an old friend. She had started them and never finished them.  They are made from Pittsburgh Pirate jersey's that were my friend's sister who had passed away several years ago.  I'll admit they were a challenge to repair. I had to unstuff, stabilize and repair a few seams. I am very happy with how they worked out.  My friend was happy with them too. The pattern that was used is not my usual pattern so that is why they look a little different than my regular bears. I hope Cathy's family gets comfort from them. It was a privilege to be able to make them for my friend. 

Charlotte's Bear

 I mostly make bears for family members of a loved one who has passed away. Every now and then, I get to make a bear as a special gift for someone. I was given the honor to make a bear for a coworker's granddaughter Charlotte. Charlotte is a sweet 9-year-old and very into fashion. I decided I needed to make two dresses for her bear. Her Mimi asked me to make a dress with a tutu, so I went to work searching the thrift stores for just the perfect tutu.  I found a 2T tutu in the Halloween costume section of Good Will. It worked perfectly!

I named the bear Rose. Rose is Charlotte's Mimi's middle name.  I thought it suited the bear perfectly.

Charlotte's bear with her fancy tutu dress.

  Party dress #2. This dress is a bit short and a bit of her bottom shows. I'll know better next time to make a more conservative 2nd dress. 

I can't wait to hear how Charlotte likes her bear Rose!

Jerry's Bears

The bears I have made from Jerry's dress shirts were for a dear friend of mine's dad. This is the first time I have made bears for someone I knew. It was hard. Jerry passed away over a year ago. My friend wanted to have bears to give to her children/grandchildren as well and siblings. To me this shows what an awesome Dad/person Jerry was. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Every time I saw him, he always had a smile and loved to talk with you. He was a very special person and is greatly missed. 

I made 8 bears from Jerry's dress shirts for my friend. I have said it before, but it still holds true. Each bear is made from the same pattern, but each one has a different personality. When I line them up to take their pictures, their personalities seem to come out.  Some didn't want to cooperate and wouldn't want to put their arm around the next bear. Or they would lean out away from the others as if to say, 'look at me!' I'm glad I was able to wrangle them sitting together for this picture.

Each bear was made from a different dress shirt. My friend wanted each one to have a belly button and a patch on their little bums. Six patches said, "I'll Always Love You, Love Pap" and two patches said, 'I'll Always Love You, Love Dad."  

I'd like to thank Jerry's daughter and my friend for the privilege of making these cuties. 

I hope they bring comfort to each person who receives them.

Ed's Bears

 Ed's bears were made from Ed's denim coat and fleece vest. Ed's wife wanted each bear to each have a ski jacket since Ed loved to ski. The bear's ski jackets are made from Ed's ski jacket. I learned a lot about ski jackets when I deconstructed Ed's. There are lots of zippers and pockets! 

The bear made from the denim coat was my first time working with denim, I enjoyed working with it and would love to make another someday. I thought the bear turned out super cute. 

The fleece bear was made from a vest. I enjoy working with fleece. It always looks nice. The blue jean bear has the label from that coat on his tummy and the fleece bear has the label from the vest on his arm. 

The ski jackets started as an 18" doll pattern, but I modified them to fit each bear properly. I thought a stripe from the accent color of gray up the side and under the arm would make a nice addition and add some contrasting color. 

 Each jacket has a label from the Ed's original ski jacket. One jacket has the brand name 'Columbia' and the other has 'Fire Ridge' label from the back of the collar of the jacket.  I love incorporating the little details in each bear and their clothing. 

This was also the first time for me to have a picture of the person to whom the clothing belonged. It was nice to see Ed in the jacket I used. 

With each bear I make, I love to get them back to their owners, but I also miss seeing them on my cutting table. Each and every bear I make is special to me. I am always so flattered when someone allows me to work with their loved one's clothing.

Ray's Bear

Ray's bear was made from a tan shirt with trees and ducks. I wasn't sure where the ducks and trees would end up when I was cutting out the pieces to assemble him. I feel they worked out perfectly and he turned out pretty cute! I don't know much information about Ray as his clothing was given to me to sew by a friend who knows Ray's family. I only know he is intended to be a Christmas present.

 I hope this little bear gives Ray's family some comfort.