Sew your own
The pattern is free. Take it.
The same bear pattern and tutorial our chapters use, free to print at full size — for classrooms, clubs, or anyone with a sewing machine and some fabric to spare.
The artifact
The bear pattern.
One PDF, printed at full size. Trace it onto recycled fabric and you have everything you need to start.
How to run it
Six steps. One bear.
- 01
Print the pattern
Download the bear pattern and print it at full size.
- 02
Cut the fabric
Trace the pattern onto recycled fabric and cut two matching pieces.
- 03
Pin and sew
Pin the pieces right sides together. Sew the outline, leaving a gap.
- 04
Turn and stuff
Turn the bear right side out through the gap. Fill it with stuffing.
- 05
Close the seam
Hand-stitch the gap shut with a ladder stitch.
- 06
Add the face and letter
Embroider the eyes and nose. Write a letter and tie it on.
Don’t skip this part
Write the backstory.
Every plushie we give away carries a personalized letter describing the wild and silly backstory of the toy — where it came from, what it likes, how it ended up here. It is the part children remember, and it costs nothing but a few minutes and a pen.
Made one?
Bring it to a chapter near you.
Chapters take finished plushies and get them to children through food pantry drives. If there isn’t one near you, start one.