When I made my first Memory Bear, I thought I was prepared. I had my sewing machine, my favorite baby clothes laid out, and a full afternoon ahead of me. But then… the fabric slipped, the seams pulled, and my bear ended up with a head slightly off-center and one leg lower than the other.
Find the direct link to Memory Bear HERE
It still meant the world to me, but I also learned a lot.
So if you’re planning to sew your own memory bear, here are five little mistakes that can make a big difference - and how to avoid them:
1. Choosing the wrong clothes
Newborn baby clothes are often too small for the pattern pieces. Use 6 months and up. Stabilize stretchy fabrics with woven fusible interfacing.
2. Not using enough interfacing
Skimping on interfacing causes distortion. Iron interfacing on stretchy items before cutting.
3. Rushing the stuffing
Stuff slowly with small pieces. Compact stuffing improves the bear’s shape and feel.
Just take a look at the difference - one bear is evenly filled and holds its shape beautifully, while the other looks uneven and lumpy due to rushed stuffing.
4. Ignoring seam trimming and curve clipping
Always trim seams and clip curves to help the shape turn correctly.
5. Finishing seams with bulky knots
Use a ladder stitch and bury the knot inside for a clean look.
Each of these mistakes taught me something valuable, and now I pass that to you. If you're ready to begin, the Memory Bear Ben pattern and full video are here:
