How huggable is this bear lovey? Learn the basics of how to make a lovey in our DIY lovey tutorial! With a handmade lovable softie, you can make backups for emergencies – like washing. It’s kinda sad to see your wee one sitting on the floor of the laundry room watching their lovey endure the spin cycle!

Download the Bear Plush Lovey free pattern here:

Bear plush lovey sewing pattern – downloadable pdf

One (1) bear lovey

How to Make a Lovey Animal

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Learn how to make a bear lovey with our step-by-step directions.

This is a perfect idea for a baby shower gift!

Materials

1/2 yard minky or fleece for blanket main fabric; I used brown dot minky. You can use any faux fur.
6-inch square fleece for face, brown to match the blanket
Scraps of fleece for eyes, nose and mouth in grey or tan, brown, black and white
Thread to match the face pieces for stitching, brown thread for sewing the blanket
Paper backed fusible; I used Wonder Under, about 7-inches by 5-inches

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Pressing surface
Teflon sheet; I used a Gypsy Quilter Teflon sheet
Fabric scissors
Paper scissors
Removable fabric marker; I used a Frixion pen
Straight pins or WonderClips
Rotary cutter
Quilter's ruler
Cutting mat

Instructions

The first step is to download and print the bear face pattern.

Cut out the face pieces and trace them to the paper side of the fusible web. Remember to trace two (2) each for the eye pieces.
Using your paper scissors, cut out the shapes. Placing the fusible side to your fabric, press according to the fusible directions. Let them cool a bit, then trim the fabric to the right shape along the cutting lines and remove the paper.
Take your 6-inch square of fleece. Round the top corner to form the bear head. I used an embroidery hoop, but you can use a round plate, bowl, cake pan - anything round.
Lay out the face features with the fusible side down (shiny side).
Using your iron, press according to the fusible directions.
Now it is time to stitch the face elements to finish off the edges of the fleece. One of the stitches I like to use is a zig-zag with a shortened stitch length.
First, stitch around the eyes. You want to think through which elements to stitch down first. If any element tucks under another, do the bottom layer first. Since the eyes tuck under the mouth and nose area, I want to do those first.
Next, using your removable fabric marker, draw in the mouth. Make sure to test your marker on a scrap of fabric first!
Using the black thread on your machine, stitch in the mouth following the marked line.
Next, stitch down the nose, making sure to cover the ends of the mouth.
Finish by stitching around the grey face area.

Then, take two of the ear pieces and place them right sides together. Sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance starting at one side around the top and down the other side. Leave the bottom of the ear open.
Sew the second ear the same way. Here are both ears sewn.
Turn them right side out. If needed, give them a quick press.'
Look how cute the bear face and animal ears are!
Now we are ready to put the face piece on the blankie. Lay one of the pieces of minky right side up on your work table. Place the bear face in one corner.
Stitch the face to the minky along the two bottom edges. I used a 1/4-inch seam allowance and left the edge raw. The fleece will not ravel.
Trim the minky from around the top of the bear head.
Now place the two pieces of minky right sides together.
Fold back the corner with the bear head to place the ears.
When you are happy with the ear placement, fold the ears back towards the face. Pin them in place. This way they will be sewn into the seam allowance.
Trim the second layer of minky to match the curve for the bear head. Pin all around the raw edges of the minky. Minky is slippery - more pins is better!
Begin on one of the straight edges and sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the pinned edge.
Continue sewing all around the lovey until you get back to the side you started sewing. Leave about a 4-inch opening to turn the lovey right side out.
Trim the corners of the blanket by making a diagonal cut. This makes the turning of the corners nicer.
Now it is time to turn the bear lovey right side out through the opening.
Poke out the corners with your fingers and make sure the ears are in the seam allowance and placed where you want them. When you are happy with everything, turn the opening to the inside and topstitch the lovey closed.
And, you have a soft and cuddly bear lovey!

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What is a lovey blanket?

A lovey blanket is a small baby blanket that is used to comfort a child. Often babies and toddlers have a favorite lovey that goes everywhere with them. Generally “lovies” are soft and cuddly and small enough in size to carry everywhere, easily fitting into the diaper bag.

What size is a lovey blanket?

Lovey security blankets can be any size. Generally, they are between 12-inches and 18-inches square so they are easy for little ones to take along with them and not have the lovey drag through the dirt.

More ideas for lovies

Use safety eyes for the eyes. Do not use buttons, as they can come off easily and be a choking hazard
These are perfect as car seat blankets – just the right size to cover a lap and keep a baby or toddler warm.
Add a loop or two of a satin ribbon around the edge for a sensory blanket or baby tag blanket.

DIY Lovey: Make different animal lovies

Take the bear plush lovey pattern and switch it up to make different animals! The fun part of a DIY lovey is that you can make it your way!

Try making a raccoon lovey by cutting out the “mask” for the face. Or a soft diy bunny lovey with longer and pointed ears, eliminate the grey face and stitch in some whiskers. Or a dog lovey with wider long floppy ears. Most of all, have fun!

Browse through more DIY toys on Create Whimsy.