Teddy Bear Apron

PDF Sewing Pattern

Designed to fit 15-18 inch bears such as Build-A-Bear Workshop®.

Skill level: Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved.
 Teddy Bear Apron
Designed to fit 15-18 inch teddy bears such as Build-A-Bear Workshop®

This adorable, easy to make apron is ideal for bears who love to bake sticky buns.

Why not experiment with contrasting body, straps and pocket for an apron that’s as unique as
your furry friend.

Supplies Needed (Fabric Straps)

• Fabric – 37cm length x 46cm width (15 inches x 18 inches) – no pocket

• Fabric – 45cm length x 46cm width (18 inches x 18 inches) – with pocket
• Velcro or snap fastener
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Knitting needle for turning out straps (optional)
• Iron

Supplies Needed (Ribbon Straps)

• Fabric – 22cm length x 30 cm width (7 inches x 12 inches) – no pocket

• Fabric – 30cm length x 30 cm width (12 inches x 12 inches) – with pocket
• Ribbon – 116cm x 2cm (46 inches x ¾ inch)
• Velcro or snap fastener
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Fabric

If using patterned material, please ‘bear’ in mind the scale of the print when making bear
clothes.

Suggested fabrics:
• Cotton
• Linen

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 2

 Printing the Pattern:
Pattern pieces are found at the end of these instructions.

UK: Set paper size to A4 and page scaling to None, actual size or 100%
US: Set paper size to 8 ½ x 11 inches and print without using the ‘size to paper’ option

Ensure that the 1 inch / 3 cm box on the pattern are the correct sizes when the pattern is
printed.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 3

 Cutting Layout:
Cutting layout is shown below. Fabric is folded in half on the right hand side.

Ensure that you follow the pattern directions in relation to direction of fabric, fold lines etc.

Take care when using patterned fabrics to ensure pattern lines up once pieces are cut.

Cutting layout (with fabric straps) Cutting layout (with ribbon straps)

Fold

Fold

Pattern Notes:
All edges on this pattern are folded under therefore there is no requirement to finish any
raw edges.

Backstitching is used at the beginning and end of each seam in order to hold the stitches
in place. To backstitch on a sewing machine, simply sew 1-2 stitches forward and then
put your machine in reverse for 1-2 stitches in order to secure the seam. .

Please read the pattern through from start to finish before starting to sew so you are
aware of how one step links to the next.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 4

 Sewing Instructions
Fold curved Step 1 –The Underarm Seams
edges by ½ cm
then a further ½
cm
With the wrong side facing upwards, fold the
curved edge by ½ cm and press. Fold again by
a further ½ cm. Press.

Wrong Side

Step 2 – Stitch The Underarm Seams

Using a straight stitch, sew the underarm

seams in place. Backstitch at the beginning and
end of the seam. Lift the presser foot and pivot
Wrong Side

the fabric as required.

Press.

If using ribbon straps, proceed to step 9.

Step 3 - Neck and Waist Straps

With right sides together, fold each strap in half

lengthways and press.

Thread loop Step 4 - Neck and Waist Straps (Optional Step)

This step is optional but will help you to turn the

straps out to the right side if you do not have a
knitting needle at home.

Cut a piece of thread 2½ times the length of the

strap. Fold the thread in half and place inside the
strap close to the folded edge. The top loop of the
thread should protrude outside of the strap.

5
Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved.
 Sewing Instructions

Step 5. Stitch The Straps

Thread Stitch across the top edge of the strap stitching
loop through the thread loop (if applicable).

When you reach the corner, lift up the presser

foot and turn the fabric 90 degrees. Lower the
presser foot and stitch down the long straight
edge.

Step 6. Trim The Seam Allowance

Trim the seam allowance taking care not to cut

through the stitching or the thread loop (if
applicable).

Trim seam allowance

Feed top edge Step 7. Turning The Straps Through (using

inside of the strap.
the thread method)

Begin to turn the strap to the right way out by

feeding the top edge (with the thread loop)
inside the strap.

Once you have pushed through approximately

1-2cm then pull gently on both thread tales to
encourage the rest of the strap to follow.

Once the strap is all the way through, remove

the thread by pulling one end. Smooth out the
Pull gently on the corners and side hem and press in place.
threads.
Repeat for the other straps.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 6

 Sewing Instructions

Gently push the

Step 8. Turning The Straps Through (using
strap down. the knitting needle method)

Begin to turn the strap through by feeding the

top edge inside the strap.

Once you have pushed through approximately

1-2cm then gently insert the blunt end of a
knitting needle into the strap. Gently push the
strap the right way out.

Once the strap is all the way through, remove

the knitting needle. Smooth out the corners and
Insert blunt end of
the knitting needle
side hem and press in place. Repeat for the
into the strap other straps.

Stitched seam faces Step 9. The Neck Strap

inwards
With the wrong side facing upwards, turn over
Raw edge of strap lines up the top edge of the apron by ½ cm and press.
with raw edge of apron
Place the neck strap on the right hand side of
the top edge. The stitched seam of the strap
should be facing inwards. The folded edge of
the strap should line up with the outside edge
of the body. The raw edge of the strap should
line up with the raw edge of the body.

Wrong Side

Turn the top edge and strap

over by ½ cm and press. Step 10. The Neck Strap

Turn the top edge and strap over by a further ½

cm and press.

Wrong Side

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 7

 Sewing Instructions

Fold strap back over folded Step 11. The Neck Strap
seam and press. Pin in place
Fold the strap back over the top folded seam
and press. Pin in place

Wrong Side

Step 12. The Neck Strap

Using a straight stitch, sew the top hem.

Wrong Side Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the
stitching. Sew slowly when you get to the strap to
enable the needle to penetrate the fabric.

Press.

Step 13. The Waist Strap

Folded edge of
strap faces With the wrong side facing upwards, turn over
upwards the left hand edge of the apron by ½ cm and
press.

Place one waist strap on the folded seam

underneath the curved edge. The folded edge
of the strap should be facing upwards.
Raw edge of
strap lines The raw edge of the strap should line up with
up with raw the raw edge of the apron.
edge of
apron
Wrong Side

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 8

 Sewing Instructions
Step 14. The Waist Strap:

Turn the side edge and strap over by a further

1/2cm and press.

Wrong Side

Step 15. The Waist Strap:

Fold the strap back over the folded seam and

press.

Pin in place

Wrong Side

Step 16. The Waist Strap:

Using a straight stitch, sew the side seam.

Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure
the stitching.

Sew slowly when you reach the strap to enable

the needle to penetrate the fabric. Press.

Repeat on the other side

Wrong Side

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 9

 Sewing Instructions
Step 17 –The Bottom Hem:

With the wrong side facing upwards, turn the

bottom hem under by ½ cm and press. Turn
the edge under by a further 1/2cm and press
again.

Using a straight stitch, sew the bottom hem in

place. Backstitch at the beginning and end of
the seam.

Press.

Wrong Side

Step 18 – The Front Pocket (Optional):

Press the top edge of the pocket under by ½

cm and press. Turn the edge under by a further
½ cm and press again. Using a straight stitch,
sew the hem in place. Backstitch at the
beginning and end of the seam.

Wrong Side

Step 19 – The Front Pocket (Optional):

Fold the sides and the bottom edge under ½ cm

and press.

Fold the apron in half length ways and mark the

halfway point then position pocket where you
would like it on the apron measuring from the
top edge to the unfinished hem of the apron to
check it is level.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 10

 Sewing Instructions

Step 20 – The Front Pocket (Optional):

Using a straight stitch, sew the pocket to the

apron body. Stitch a seam up the centre of the
pocket to create two smaller pockets if required.

Backstitch at the beginning and end of the

seam.

Press

Step 21 – The Neck Strap Fastening:

The neck strap can be fastened to the apron

body either using Velcro or a fastener.

Congratulations – you have now

finished your apron.

Embellish as required.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 11

 Finished Apron
For other teddy bear clothes patterns visit our Etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BestDressedBears

12
Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved.
 Teddy Bear Apron - Summary of Instructions

General Sewing Instructions:

All edges on this pattern are folded under therefore there is no need to finish any raw edges.

Backstitching is used at the beginning and end of each seam in order to hold the stitches in place.
To backstitch on a sewing machine, simply sew 1-2 stitches forward and then put your machine in
reverse for 1-2 stitches in order to secure the seam.

Read the instructions below before starting to sew so you are aware of how one step links to the
next.

Step 1 –The Underarm Seams: With the wrong side facing upwards, fold the curved edge by ½
cm and press. Fold again by a further ½ cm. Press.

Step 2 – Stitch The Underarm Seams: Using a straight stitch, sew the underarm seams in place.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Lift the presser foot and pivot the fabric as
required. Press.
If using ribbon straps, proceed to step 9.

Step 3 - Neck and Waist Straps: With right sides together, fold each strap in half lengthways and
press.

Step 4 - Neck and Waist Straps (Optional Step): This step is optional but will help you to turn
the straps out to the right side if you do not have a knitting needle at home. Cut a piece of thread
2½ times the length of the strap. Fold the thread in half and place inside the strap close to the
folded edge. The top loop of the thread should protrude outside of the strap.

Step 5. Stitch The Straps: Stitch across the top edge of the strap stitching through the thread
loop (if applicable). When you reach the corner, lift up the presser foot and turn the fabric 90
degrees. Lower the presser foot and stitch down the long straight edge.

Step 6. Trim The Seam Allowance: Trim the seam allowance taking care not to cut through the
stitching or the thread loop (if applicable).

Step 7. Turning The Straps Through (using the thread method): Begin to turn the strap to the
right way out by feeding the top edge (with the thread loop) inside the strap. Once you have
pushed through approximately 1-2cm then pull gently on both thread tales to encourage the rest of
the strap to follow. When the strap is all the way through, remove the thread by pulling one end.
Smooth out the corners and side hem and press in place. Repeat for the other straps.

Step 8. Turning The Straps Through (using the knitting needle method): Begin to turn the
strap through by feeding the top edge inside the strap. Once you have pushed through
approximately 1-2cm then gently insert the blunt end of a knitting needle into the strap. Gently
push the strap the right way out. Once the strap is all the way through, remove the knitting needle.
Smooth out the corners and side hem and press in place. Repeat for the other straps.
Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 13
 Teddy Bear Apron - Summary of Instructions
Step 9. The Neck Strap: With the wrong side facing upwards, turn over the top edge of the apron
by ½ cm and press. Place the neck strap on the right hand side of the top edge. The stitched
seam of the strap should be facing inwards. The folded edge of the strap should line up with the
outside edge of the body. The raw edge of the strap should line up with the raw edge of the body.

Step 10. The Neck Strap: Turn the top edge and strap over by a further ½ cm and press.

Step 11. The Neck Strap: Fold the strap back over the top folded seam and press. Pin in place

Step 12. The Neck Strap: Using a straight stitch, sew the top hem. Backstitch at the beginning
and end to secure the stitching. Sew slowly when you get to the strap to enable the needle to
penetrate the fabric. Press.

Step 13. The Waist Strap: With the wrong side facing upwards, turn over the left hand edge of
the apron by ½ cm and press. Place one waist strap on the folded seam underneath the curved
edge. The folded edge of the strap should be facing upwards. The raw edge of the strap should
line up with the raw edge of the apron.

Step 14. The Waist Strap: Turn the side edge and strap over by a further 1/2cm and press.

Step 15. The Waist Strap: Fold the strap back over the folded seam and press. Pin in place

Step 16. The Waist Strap: Using a straight stitch, sew the side seam. Backstitch at the
beginning and end to secure the stitching. Sew slowly when you reach the strap to enable the
needle to penetrate the fabric. Press. Repeat on the other side

Step 17 –The Bottom Hem: With the wrong side facing upwards, turn the bottom hem under by
½ cm and press. Turn the edge under by a further 1/2cm and press again. Using a straight stitch,
sew the bottom hem in place. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Press.

Step 18 – The Front Pocket (Optional): Press the top edge of the pocket under by ½ cm and
press. Turn the edge under by a further ½ cm and press again. Using a straight stitch, sew the
hem in place. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

Step 19 – The Front Pocket (Optional): Fold the sides and the bottom edge under ½ cm and
press. Fold the apron in half length ways and mark the halfway point then position pocket where
you would like it on the apron measuring from the top edge to the unfinished hem of the apron to
check it is level.

Step 20 – The Front Pocket (Optional): Using a straight stitch, sew the pocket to the apron
body. Stitch a seam up the centre of the pocket to create two smaller pockets if required.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Press

Step 21 – The Neck Strap Fastening: The neck strap can be fastened to the apron body either
using Velcro or a fastener.
Congratulations – you have now finished your apron. Embellish as required.
Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 14
 3 cm 1 inch

Fold lines

Fold lines

Grain 15-18 inch Teddy Bears Fold

Apron
Body
Cut One On Fold
Fold lines

Fold lines

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Thiscpatternciscforcpersonalcuseconly.cYoucmaycnotccopycorcdistributecitcwithoutcpriorcpermission. 15
 ss3scm 1sinch
Fold

Fold
15-18sinchsTeddysBears

CutsTwosOnsFold
WaistsStrap
Apron

15-18sinchsTeddysBears

CutsOnesOnsFold
NecksStrap
Apron

15-18sinchsTeddysBears
Fold

Fold

Grain

Apron
Fold

Pockets(Optional)

ssssssCutsOnesOnsFold
Grain
Grain

ssssss

Copyright ©c2021cBestcDressedcBears.ccAllcrightscreserved.c
Thiscpatternciscforcpersonalcuseconly.cYoucmaycnotccopycorcdistributecitcwithoutcpriorcpermission. 16
 Bear Measurements
All bears are unique and measurements can vary widely. The measurements below should be
used as a guide.

Neck to wrist:
13cm / 5 inches

Neck: Up to 29cm / 11.25 Arm: Up to

inches 16cm / 6.25
inches
Chest: Up to 39cm / 15.25
inches

Inside Arm (to wrist):

Height: 7cm / 2.75 inches
Waist: Up to 39cm / 15.25
38- 46 cm
inches
15-18 inches

Hips: Up to 41cm / 16 inches

Leg: Up to Inside Leg

19cm / 7.5 (to ankle):
inches Up to 10cm
/ 4 inches

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 17

 Contact Us:

We hope that you enjoyed using this pattern and that your teddy is ‘beary’ pleased with their
new outfit. If you require any assistance with this pattern or have a particular outfit that you
would like us to create then please contact our Chief Bear Designer at
hello@best-dressed-bears.com

To keep up to date with our latest news and pattern releases visit us on Instagram, Facebook
or Pinterest .

https://www.instagram.com/best_dressed_bears

https://www.facebook.com/bestdressedbears

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/BestDressedBears

Share Your Project:

We would love to see your finished outfit. Use the following hashtags so we can see your make:
#best_dressed_bears #TeddysNewWardrobe

File Sharing
You have received one copy of this digital pattern from Best Dressed Bears for your personal
use. You do not have permission to share it with anyone else in any form. No parts of this
pattern may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical without
prior permission from Best Dressed Bears.
Copyright Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
This pattern is intended for personal use and not for large scale commercial purposes.

Best Dressed Bears is not affiliated with Build-A-Bear Workshop®. No endorsement is implied.

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 18

 sewing
patterns
exclusively
for bears

Copyright © 2021 Best Dressed Bears. All rights reserved. 19