Sewzy
Memory Bear Sewing Pattern
The Memory Bear is an intermediate sewing pattern in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. It takes about 4 hours in 7 written steps. It is in the Sewzy iPhone app with every size included. Print it as a letter-size PDF or an A0 copy-shop file.
Updated October 11, 2026
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- About 4 h
- Sizes
- 10
- Steps
- 7
The Memory Bear pattern comes in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. It is an intermediate project that takes about 4 h, in 7 steps. Sew it from old shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes or blankets.
The bear has round ears sewn in pairs and pleated at the base, a short snout and a triangle nose embroidered in black perle cotton. It has no tail, so it is the quickest of the five memory animals to finish. The bunny, cat, dog and elephant share its body, arms and legs and change the head, ears and tail.
Premium Print the letter or A0 PDF from the app.
Photos are renders of the finished item, made from this pattern's shapes.
Sizes and fabric
| Size | Finished size and details | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| 6 in | made from: baby onesie / sleeve | ⅛ yd |
| 8 in | made from: baby onesie | ⅛ yd |
| 10 in | made from: child tee | ¼ yd |
| 12 in | made from: adult tee or shirt | ⅓ yd |
| 14 in | made from: adult shirt | ½ yd |
| 16 in | made from: adult shirt | ½ yd |
| 18 in | made from: adult shirt or blouse | ⅔ yd |
| 20 in | made from: 2 shirts or a dress | ¾ yd |
| 22 in | made from: 2 shirts or a dress | 1 yd |
| 24 in | made from: flannel or blanket | 1¼ yd |
Shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes, blankets. Interface anything stretchy. Contrast foot pads and inner ears from a second garment.
You also need
- Safety eyes (6 mm for the 6-10 in sizes, 9-12 mm above) or embroidered eyes
- Black perle cotton no. 5 for the nose
- Fiberfill; optional poly pellets for a floppy bear
- Optional: 4 plastic doll joints or 4 shank buttons + strong thread
- Doll needle, ladder-stitch thread
Pattern pieces
Head side, Head gusset, Body front, Body back, Arm, Leg, Foot pad, Ear
Seam allowance: ¼ in (6 mm) included.
The steps
The written guide in the app takes you through 7 steps, one at a time.
- Prepare the garment
- Cut
- Head
- Face and ears
- Body
- Arms and legs
- Join and finish
In these collections
Read before you sew
More memory bears
Questions about the Memory Bear
How much fabric does the Memory Bear need?
Sew it from old shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, flannel, denim, fleece, baby clothes or blankets. Exact amounts for each size are in the guide inside the Sewzy app.
Which sizes does the Memory Bear come in?
It comes in 10 sizes, 6 in to 24 in. The size table on this page lists what each size fits.
How long does the Memory Bear take to sew?
About 4 hours. It is rated intermediate, and the written guide in the app has 7 steps.
Related guides
- How to make a memory bear from a loved one's clothes6 min readA memory bear is a teddy sewn from a loved one's clothing. See how much clothing you need, how to cut it, the 10 sizes and how long it takes (about 4 hours).
How to sew a plushie: stuffed animal sewing for beginners4 min readHow to sew a plushie for beginners: choose fabric, cut and mark pieces, sew curves, turn, stuff evenly and close the gap with a neat ladder stitch.
What size needle for quilting cotton? A needle and thread guide6 min readUse a size 80/12 universal needle for quilting cotton, a ballpoint for knits and a 100/16 for denim. Full chart of needle sizes by fabric, plus thread tips.
Sew the Memory Bear in Sewzy
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