INCLUDES A FREE PATTERN FOR THE SLEEPING FOREST BEAR

I totally LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to applique.

Last Christmas, I made a sleeping forest bear pillow for my sister who absolutely loves bears!  

Thought my readers might love to applique too, so I am sharing this pattern and tutorial with you all. I hope you enjoy as much as me!

The following instructions and PDF will help you make an 8 x 8 quilt block.  If you require a block of a different size, please feel free to adjust the pattern by using the increase or decrease settings on your printer.   You can use your block to make a number of items:

• Quilts
• Pillows
• Table runners
• Purses
• Wall hangings
• The list is endless………

Have fun making your project! 

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SUPPLIES REQUIRED:

• Print out the PDF pattern HERE
• 8 ½ inch X 8 ½ inch square of fabric for background.  NOTE:  If you are appliqueing to another project, you will not require the background.
• 8 inch x 6 inch piece of black fabric for bear
• Scraps of beige for muzzle
  • White for eyes
• Heat N Bond Lite
• Coordinating threads 

INSTRUCTIONS

Print out the pattern piece PDF.  The dotted lines on the piece are where another piece will overlap.  The solid lines are your cutting lines.  NOTE:  The pieces have been reversed.

Trace the pieces to heatnbond.  Cut out around the pieces close to your lines but not on your lines.

Preheat iron to “wool” setting.  Place adhesive down, paper side up on the WRONG side of material to be bonded.  Place and hold the iron for 2 seconds. Allow to cool.

Cut out the pieces from your fabric.

Using the template and picture, remove the paper backing from your pieces and position the pieces with the adhesive side down on the background square.  This should be done on your ironing surface, so you do not have to move it and disturb your masterpiece.  Take care that the pieces overlap where shown. 

Press and hold iron for 8-10 sec on each section until entire piece is bonded.  NOTE: Do not move your iron.  Press the pieces.

You may assemble all the pieces at once or a few at a time.

Applique to the background: 

For machine applique, I prefer to use a zigzag stitch at buttonhole length (0.5) and a width ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 depending on the size of the piece.  I also use an embroidery foot. 

When choosing the threads, you may either coordinate the thread or use an interesting contrast.  In order to see the stitching on the bear, I used a dark grey rather than black.

Add embroidery for the tufts of hair, eyes, inner ears and the white highlight on nose.  

HINTS (Some things I learned while making this project):

• Secure your stitching at the start and stop of your applique
• You do not need to stitch in any particular order, therefore, stitch all of one color at one time.  Do NOT sew under the overlaps.
• Keep your threads to the back of your stitching and snip your threads as you go so they do not get caught in the stitching.
• Use an embroidery foot to see where you are stitching.

 I hope you enjoyed making the bear.  Let me know how you used your bear.  And don’t forget to send me your pics!!

Check out my other applique patterns for sale in my   Etsy store.

Resources used in this tutorial

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