All Sewers - I need help with a pattern....I can't dissapoint my Grand daughter!
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17797)
United States
November 18, 2008 8:31pm CST
I need and can't find a pattern for overalls to fit about a 12-15 inch stuffed bear. Or if there is a place other than Build a Bear that I can buy clothes for stuff animals or if there is a pattern to buy that you can offer....I need it desperately. the reason follows if you are interested.
When my little 2 yo grand daughter learned about books, she loves to be read to and will even recite the story on her own, since she's heard ti so much. I mean I've read some books literally a hundred times and she just loves them more each time I read them - and she chooses which ones she wants to hear. Anyway, she fell in love with Cordoroy, the liitle bear with the green overalls and missing button.
I need to make a little pair of overalls for a teddy bear. In the story the store security guard finds Cordoroy and takes him back to the toy department and the security guard was "dressed" to look like a police officer but I read the story and said "The deputy sheriff..." instead of "the security guard.." because her daddy is a Deputy Sheriff and at 18 months, I taught her how to say it and she got out "Beddy Sef", but now at 2,1/2 she says it just fine. Anyway, it really blessed her heart about her daddy helping Cordoroy.SO Cordoroy became her favorite.
Long story short, when it got to where I couldn't stand to read the books after the 150th time, and also at bedtime, I started telling her stories - started with Noah's Ark which she loved but after about 2 months, got tired of it. So I had to come up with new one and when my son was little he loved Raggedy Andy and I did as a kid and the theme of the toys coming to life when marcella left the room was what I thought of as my theme. Needed someone familiar to her so I used Cordoroy and "silkie bear" which is her little toy since she was few months old - a bear head with silkie one side, fluffy other side blanket thingy and she calls it "silkie bear". So these two are the ones on the adventures and she just eats up the stories I make and I always make them with a lesson or something like righ tnow I am teaching her to like carrots so the bears meet a little bunny in the garden who grows carrots that help her eyes stay blue (like my GD's blue eyes, and she just got glasses)
So, I searched the world, thinking beanie babies nad nothing so I finally found a bear at Build-a-bear that would work as the bear but no green overalls. So I need to make the overalls. I used to be a professional seamstress so I can do it, I just dont' have a pattern. I can alter the pattern very well. But never could make one of my own!
So if you have a pattern for overalls that would fit about a 12-15 inch bear, please send me a PM and we can swap emails and I'd really appreciate it if you could scan it or something to send the pattern to me.Or if you know of a pattern number I can buy the pattern. I have found nothing at my local sewing store.
Thanks for any helps.
2 people like this
4 responses
@Paula1966 (1102)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Simplicity 3733 has a 17" stuffed bear with overalls for it. However, I think you may be selling yourself short on drafting the pattern. I have drafted harem pants for my sister before when she was taking bellydance classes, and she is much larger than a toy bear. :) It was the first thing I drafted and worked well. You would just need to not have a lot of easy, and add a rectangle up top for the bib. I can provide the URL to the harem pants drafting if you like.
2 people like this

@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I am going to share my favorite cheat, when I need a smaller pattern, I take it into the copy shop and slap that sucker on the xerox and reduce it. It saves soooooo much time and figuring.
Also, check the thrift shops. They seem to be overstocked with baby clothes and overalls seem to be a favorite. You might hit it lucky and find a pair of coridory overalls that you can dye. I have a pair of over alls for one of the bears I designed and it is a pair of toddler overalls. (He is 25 inches tall)
I design teddy bears and their clothes, and it isn't that hard to design clothing. Especially pants and overalls. If you email me with the measurements I might be able to help you out.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Well I had been creating in my mind a pair of overalls out of Felt. I was deading sewing and hemming and all. My seamstress days are over thanks to a brain tumor! But I figured I could handle hand whip stitch and felt! I use to embroider so was thinking to of that but then again, Cordoroy;s overalls are just plain and missing a white button! I appreciate the encouragement! Thanks so much.
@Paula1966 (1102)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Whichever way you go, it is going to be a very special gift. :)

@drannhh (15219)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Depending on your bear's shape, I think you could use an overall pattern for a human infant in the newborn size. I have 12" inch teddy bears that we have dressed that way.
Quite a few came up when I searched on eBay for "overall pattern infant." Or you could search for a pre-made pair and cut them down. That would be a a lot easier than making them from scratch, and probably less expensive than a pattern.
Sounds like a very cute gift that will thrill the little one, and a fun project for you as well. I hope you will upload a picture of the bear when this project is finished as I am sure all your myLot friends would love to see it!
2 people like this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I hadnt thought about newborn size or doll clothes. Yeah, my seamstress days are over and I was dreading sewing! I also, had put off Ebay as I just don't like dealing with all that. I like to actually see what I am buying. Been burned to many times. But I will look for newborn or even premie - the bear i found is at Build-a-Bear and about 15" tall. Yeah, I'll do a photo. Thanks for the suggestions
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Cofeebreak, I am sorry that I can't be of any more help, but I found a bear with green cordoury overalls. It's been so long since I've read the Cordoury bear story, that I'm not sure if that's the right green... I know that you wanted to make it if you could, and that your granddaughter already has a bear, but I hope that this helps.
http://www.cuddleworks.com/Calvin_Dressed_Teddy_Bear_p/5001.htm
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@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
20 Nov 08
That is so great, thanks so much!! I will keep it in mind. IT is so hurtful that I can't do these things anymore! If it was done with a needle, I did it and started a 8 years old and didn't stop till I was 48. I look at all the bears and dolls and quilts that I did for others and myself, and I just can't make myself do that anymore. I saw a beautiful doll I made for my mom years ago - gorgous doll if I do say so myself (and I am my own worst critic) and I started crying cause I can't make myself do that anymore for my grand daughters. ITs like that tumor killed my creative ability and ambition nerve in my brain or something.
Thanks so much for the link - I have a few other places that have been recommend to look at tomorrow too. I have to just get over not doing it myself...
Thanks for your help
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I will sure check that out. I do Dollar Tree once a month - I'd indebt myself big time if I went once a week! I Love that store! But it could be a doll overalls - Thanks for mentioning.
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