posted by cindylouh on September 23rd, 2009 | children's activities, sewing |
We are still thinking about National Sewing Month and using our little machine. Yesterday we made this cute stuffed bear by printing on fabric.
How to make your own print and sew bear:
Download bear and print on fabric. You can buy fabric that is specifically made for the printer 
(If you are squeamish or can't take it when someone says, "you sent what through the printer"-- buy the proper paper.) If you like to live on the edge --- hang on and I will tell you how to make your own paper backed fabric.
Cut a piece of very light weight white cotton fabric (muslin) and Freezer Paper
slightly larger than 8 1/2 X 11. Iron the shiny side of the paper to the fabric. Use a dry iron and hold for about 5 seconds. start from the middle and work to edges. If you have wrinkles in the fabric press on fabric side until smooth. I then cut out the now paper backed fabric to 8 1/2" X 11". Give it another press -- it needs to be really flat. In fact, I think it works to give it a press right before you run it through your printer. It is best to use a simple ink jet printer -- not a fancy 4 in 1 copier that has an elaborate (and expensive) system on the inside (I speak from experience people). Simply send your paper backed fabric through the printer so it prints on the fabric side. **Use 'normal' color print mode and choose 'fit to page' on your printer settings.**
If you want to conserve ink you can use any cotton (a cute brown print would be fun) fabric for the back of the bear.
Peal paper from back of fabric. On the wrong side of the bear trace around the outside edge of the bear. A disappearing fabric marking pen would be great, but I only could find a pencil.
Pin and sew. We left our opening for turning at the top of the head.
Trim and clip all curves and corners. Slip stitch opening closed.
Turn and stuff!
Thanks Amanda for making us a cute bear to print and sew!
Thanks for taking the time to visit me today!
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Wow, this looks so cute!
Thanks!
Here’s an example of printable fabric:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10353061
Wow. That is such a cute idea. You make everything seem so simple! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, my mind is wandering to all the under 2 kids I need to make something for, for Christmas.
You can also get the Printer Fabric online.
If you are worried about the ink staying you can iron the fabric to help set or buy a special product called Bubble Jet Rinse to pre-treat your fabric.
I’m not a big sewer BUT this makes me want to really bad! I could also try this with a coloring book page and we could make no end of characters for my 2 and 3 yr old! I’m thinking Nemo and Dory! And pair this project with the crayola fabric markers – the sky’s the limit! thanks again!
I LOVE THIS!! What an easy way to make a precious toy!
VERY COOL
Love this! I am going to make one for a Toy Society drop. Thanks!
How adorable! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to sew little projects with me!
[...] Skip to My Lou has created a downloadable bear softie design that you can download, print onto fabric, and sew into your own bear softie. She’s offering it for free download. You can purchase printable fabric, or you can follow her directions for making your own paper-backed fabric to send through your printer. Go to the printable bear download. [...]
What an absolutely cute little bear!! I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-download-printable-bear-to-make-a-softie/2009/09/23/
–Anne
I have a closet of craft supplies, in boxes, fairly neatly labeled and kept. My 12 year old son recently had a breakdown because I could not immediately come up with supplies so he could sew himself a new stuffed animal RIGHT THIS INSTANT! This solves that problem. Thank you. He will be so happy when he comes hoem from school today.
How cute!
Aww, that is way cute! Really fun to do with kids too. I’ll be linking, thanks so much for this little guy!
So cute! Love to sew with kids!
Totally LOVE this! I soooooo wish I had a basic printer, we have one of those 4in1 ones you mentioned- boo. I’d love to make this with my daughter.
Thank you, thank you! Really….thank you! My girls will be in love. We’ve got lots of mermaids and fairies they’ve already drawn ready for this very same process.