Hello, Bearlo

Unfortunately, it is sometimes so exciting to make toys for younger kids, that it's easy to forget that older kids like toys, too.  Joanna was more than a little jealous to see the bunny I made for Josh and the dinosaur I made for Arlo.  When I saw the Barnaby Bear pattern in Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders, I knew it would be just the thing for Joanna.  I had plenty of soft corduroy and fleece left over from a previous pattern.  We named him Bearlo, after her new cousin Arlo.  She's quite taken with him (the bear and the baby).

Even though this bear is for an eleven year-old, I decided to hand-embroider the eyes, instead of using plastic eyes or buttons.  I like the look just as well, and there is no possible way the eyes will fall off.  Anyone who is making this project for a very small child should be sure to hand stitch the eyes - anything plastic could potentially fall off.

If there is any advice that I have for others making this same project, it would be to make sure you don't over-stuff the arms and legs.  It will be much less of a headache to finish assembling the bear if he isn't super full.

Josh says that he would like a bear for himself, and I'll happily make one when I have more corduroy (or possibly velveteen!!!).  But for now, there are clearly no hard feelings.