Beeswax: is useful by running the thread across a cake of beeswax or paraffin will both strengthen it and make it easier to pull through thick layers of material

Plastic or Sandpaper Sheets: Sandpaper wont slide around on fabric as cardboard sometimes does. Plastic sheet templates are firm and durable and the transparency is easy to use and see through, especially if you have to trace embroidery on to them.

When making up your bear, I find it easier to but my different coloured squares and triangles into snap lock plastic bags. It is easier to travel with and you don’t have to rummage to look for the one you want.

Tea and coffee dyeing:

1. 2 tea bags(or 2 teaspoons of coffee) 500mls hot water 100mls of white vinegar
2. bring to boil in pot(be careful of the hot water)
3. Place fabric in boil for 15 minutes
4. Let it cool hang out and when dry iron
5. If want a darker look add more tea bags or coffee
6. Different coffees and teas offer slightly different colours

I heard boiling a chopped up beetroot gives you a red colour.

With any of the 50mm & 25mm cardboard templates, draw either a ¼ inch or 7mm around all sides for the second template for the fabric. This can be done if deciding to use 2 inch or 1 inch templates. All of my templates are for hand sewn and a have a 10mm seam allowance. Construct the quilt in the same manner in rows going across. Match up, pin to the other row, and continue sewing the other row piece by piece. Remember to sew all triangles to each other first to form a square then sew onto the next square.

To increase the sides, top or base by 1 row adding a further 5cm onto it per side. If the quilt is 110 x 120cm it will then be 120 x 130cm Don’t forget to add extra material or wadding to your extra quilt if needed. The black outline in only an indication of where the pieces go. It is also a sewing guide line for the clear thread and to show what the bear looks like.

Full Size Bears

1/2 Sized Bears