Handmade Christmas: Free Pattern, Sweet Bear Rice Heating Pad

I’m working on handmade Christmas gifts and wanted to share a pattern with you.

Remember those little rice owl heating pads that I made my kids and sisters last year? {lady sells the pattern here} Well, my kids loved and used them so often that I decided to do “round two” this year.

So, I sketched out this little bear rice heating pad and wanted to share the pattern with you. They are quick and easy to make and would make a great gift for a child or a nursing home resident.

bear collage1

I learned years ago when I was researching and making Waldorf Dolls for my girls, that equilateral triangles were most pleasing to the eye when placing the eyes and nose features. So that’s what I’ve done here. You could add a small mouth if you want, but I think they look really cute with simple features. Also, rice heating pads keep kids warm as they head off to bed. The backs of these bears are buttery smooth and soft and kids love them.

The pattern only suggests a seam allowance(dotted line), which you’ll need to add to the pattern yourself where it goes off the paper. My son, Matthew, made the pattern on the computer for me while I told him dimensions. 🙂 I am not a pattern maker, so I’ll try to explain the best I can. Feel free to ask questions and I’ll try to help.

To make: Download this—>Bear Rice Heating Pad

Print three copies of the pattern: 1 to use as a guide to place the facial features, 1 to cut the head shape pattern, and another to cut out the eyes, nose and round face pattern.

You’ll need two coordinating fabrics. Make sure they are not synthetic as they may melt in the microwave when you heat the bear up. I used 100% cotton flannel for the front and 100% cotton velour for the backing. Cotton velour is amazingly soft, but you can also use cotton flannel for the back as well.

Cut 2 bear “heads” using coordinating fabric, remembering to extend the seam allowance where it goes off the page in the pattern,  facing right sides of fabric together as you cut. One will be the face and the other, the back of the head of the bear.

Cut 2 eyes out of felt, 1 nose and 1 mouth area. The mouth can be the same fabric as the back of the head, and the little nose, the same as the main face fabric. These pieces don’t need to be cut with a seam allowance. Cut as shown.

Place facial features on bear face by referring to the pattern and pinning into place. Then hand stitch using a whip stitch, or machine stitch using a zig zag stitch.

Pin the two head shapes right sides together and sew, leaving a 2 inch opening unsown so you can fill it with rice.

Turn right side out.

Fill with rice until 3/4 full.

Stitch 2 inch opening closed by hand sewing. Use small stitches so rice doesn’t escape. Enjoy.

Please enjoy this pattern and if you make any bears and blog about them, shoot me a link. I’d love to see what you’ve done.

*Free pattern for personal use and gift giving only.

 

 

 



2 thoughts on “Handmade Christmas: Free Pattern, Sweet Bear Rice Heating Pad”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *