Create Your very own Fleece and Felt Care Bears with My Free Tummy Symbols Pattern!
Ever wanted to make your own Care Bears? Pair my free felt Tummy Symbols Care Bears sewing pattern with my Printable Fuzzy Teddy Bear Pattern for the cutest plush Teddy Bears Ever!!
A Trip to Camp Care Bears: The Story of the Belly Badge Teddy
There was a time, not so long ago, when we all found ourselves looking for a little extra sunshine and a way to stay connected from afar. During the 2020 lockdowns, I had the incredible honor of partnering with the official Care Bears team on Instagram for a very special mission.
I stepped into the role of “Camp Covid Care Bears Counselor” to help bring some creative joy to kids (and kids at heart) during a difficult time. Together, we hosted a massive teddy bear giveaway and a week of virtual “camp” activities.
My contribution to the fun? A custom project that combined the classic charm of a handmade teddy with the iconic magic of a Care Bear.
The Project: Designing Your Own Belly Badge
To make the event extra special, I created a free printable pattern designed specifically to fit my Fuzzy Teddy Bear. This allowed campers everywhere to hand-stitch their very own “Belly Badge” art, transforming a simple teddy into a symbol of caring and friendship.
Whether you wanted to recreate Cheer Bear’s rainbow or Grumpy Bear’s raincloud, this pattern became a canvas for imagination. Seeing the photos of the bears you created during that week remains one of my favorite memories of that year.
Download Your Free Pattern
Even though “Camp” has ended, the spirit of sharing continues! I am thrilled to offer the Care Bear Belly Art Pattern as a permanent free download here on my site.
- Step 1: Grab the [Fuzzy Teddy Bear Pattern here].
- Step 2: Download the [Free Care Bear Belly Art Printable].
- Step 3: Choose your colors, grab your felt and embroidery floss, and start stitching!
A Note on Slow-Crafting: > These bears were born out of a need for comfort. As you sit down to stitch your bear’s belly badge, I hope you find the same restorative peace that hand-sewing always brings to me. Happy making!
Ready to make some Bears?
Make Your Own Care Bears Plush!
You can make your very own Care Bear mini Plush by adding the felt tummy symbols above to my Fuzzy Teddy Bear Sewing Pattern!
My Fuzzy Teddy Bear Pattern features fleece and felt jointed teddy bears for a fun to make Stay-At-Home project with beautiful end results!
This project is for all ages, but younger kids may need help with cutting felt and fabric. Not fond of hand stitching? No problem! Most of this project could even be done using only a hot glue gun. No sewing required!
How To Sew Felt Care Bear Belly Symbols
How To Make A Fleece Teddy Bear
Trace the Teddy Bear body piece, ears and tail onto the back of a piece of fuzzy fleece or teddy bear fabric.
Pair the fabric pieces together with the fuzzy parts facing inwards and sewing along your traced line using a Back Stitch. You can alternately simply sew the fabric with your sewing machine. Sew all around the outer edges leaving a 1 to 2 inch space open for turning and stuffing.
Trim around the stitched bear body.
Turn the fabric right side out and stuff with toy filling. Sew the opening shut.
Sew hearts to the paw pads and bottom of the feet. Match the eye pieces and sew. Stitch in a mouth with embroidery thread using a straight stitch.
These can all be completed with hot glue as well! You could even draw a mouth on with a marker or fabric paint instead of sewing.
Sew along the outer edges of the arms and legs, leaving spaces open for stuffing. Stuff the arms and sew the openings shut.
Stuff the legs, then pin on the tops of the feet over the opening and stitch into place.
Pin the ears into place on the teddy bear body. Stitch them into place at the base of the ears using a whip stitch.
Pin the muzzle piece into place and begin sewing with a whip stitch.
Stitch all the way around the outer edges leaving a small space open for stuffing. Fill with toy stuffing and sew the opening shut.
Sew or glue the eyes into place.
The next step requires a long dollmaking needle for larger sized bears using my fuzzy teddy bear pattern.
Next we’ll be adding string joints. Sewing in string joints is sewing the arms and legs onto place by passing the sewing needle straight through the body of the bear. You will exit the needle through the top of the arm or leg, and send it back through the bear about 1/8 – 1/4″ over, back through the bear to exit from the opposite arm/leg. You do this over and over 3-4 times placing each stitch directly over another until the limbs are held on tightly, yet can still move and pose.
Once the limbs are sewn into place you can tie off your thread under the arm or leg.
Next pin the belly in place and stitch all the way around the edge. You’re done!
