How to Repair a Stuffed Teddy Bear

Written By: William Fernandez

Comments: 3

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes

Introduction

This guide will show you how to repair/refurbish a stuffed animal or teddy bear. However, these skills can be used on any stuffed object. Be aware when using scissors and a sharp needle; take any precautions to avoid misuse or injury. Prior sewing and knot tying knowledge is necessary. Adequate lighting is recommended.

Tools

Step 1

Gather all necessary materials as listed on the bottom of the page. Be sure you have a clean, clear place to work with lots of light.

Step 2

Using a pair of scissors, make an incision approximately 3 inches in length along the middle major seam on the back of the stuffed animal (a seam ripper may also be used to open an existing seam).

Step 3

Remove all of the stuffing through the created incision and set it nearby to use later.

Step 4

Using cold water and mild soap, hand wash the fabric of the bear.

Step 5

Let the fabric air dry on a clothes hanger. (If you are in a hurry, use a hair dryer on the lowest setting or place in the dryer on a low temperature setting).
Hair dryer must be on lowest setting
Be careful to make sure the bear does not shrink in the dryer and check often

Step 6

Once the fabric is completely dry, refill the stuffed animal with new stuffing. Spread the stuffing evenly throughout the head, torso, and extremities.
The more stuffing added, the more dense the stuffed animal will become.

Step 7

Now that the stuffed animal is re-stuffed, the incision needs to be sewn closed. Thread a needle with thread matching the fabric of the stuffed animal by pushing the thread through the small hole (eye) of the needle.
Choose the length of your thread based on the length of the incision. Approx. 2-3 feet of thread will work well for a 3 inch incision.
You may need a magnifying glass as the eye of the needle is really small and may be difficult to see.

Step 8

Once your needle is threaded, you will want to secure the thread by tying a basic loop knot at the bottom of the thread to prevent the thread from slipping out as you sew the bear back together.

Step 9

Starting at one end of the incision, insert the needle through a small section of the fabric, pull until the tail end of the thread is about 2 inches from being pulled through the fabric. Grab the tail of the thread and tie it to the base of the thread you pulled through the fabric. Tuck the short excess tail thread into the stuffed animal.
Create small stitches joining the two sides along the length of the incision. Keep stitches tight and close together.

Step 10

Once you reach the other end of the incision, tie off your thread by creating another small knot.

Step 11

The excess thread can be hidden by running your needle inside the fabric and back out an inch away, cutting the thread close to the surface of the fabric, and then tugging on the fabric to make the end of the thread disappear inside the stuffed animal.
This sewing technique can also be used to repair fallen or ripped limbs.

Step 12

Replacing a Missing Eye
Gather all necessary supplies

Step 13

Set up a needle; discussed in Step 3 in the Threading a Needle Section.

Step 14

Before you begin, place the button in the location where you would like it to be attached. Attach your thread to the stuffed animal in this location, and thread the button onto the needle.
A Disclaimer: This guide uses the stuffed bear as an example scenario and provides instruction on the proper way to attach a button, but the button will not be attached to the bear in this demonstration.