Bear Making

I have been making stuffed critters since I was about 15 years old. I still have the first stuffed critter I made - a pillow dog made from a baby blue flannel with little blue flowers on it. It has survived many moves and a river's worth of tears. I recently found the pattern for him. I may have to make another one because it is just so darn cute!
It wasn't until after I'd graduated from high school and moved out on my own that I started making teddy bears. The first bear I ever made was from a McCall's pattern. There were four sizes of bear and a bunch of outfits to make for them. I didn't have a sewing machine handy so I started hand sewing the eight-inch cutie. Except for the fact that he has no nose or mouth, I think he came out pretty good for a first attempt. From there I tried bigger bears. I think the biggest was 18-inches. It was hand-sewn with long fur. He went to my great aunt, who I happened to be living with at the time. I tried some fabric bears but didn't really like them so I went back to the furry ones.
It wasn't until after I'd graduated from high school and moved out on my own that I started making teddy bears. The first bear I ever made was from a McCall's pattern. There were four sizes of bear and a bunch of outfits to make for them. I didn't have a sewing machine handy so I started hand sewing the eight-inch cutie. Except for the fact that he has no nose or mouth, I think he came out pretty good for a first attempt. From there I tried bigger bears. I think the biggest was 18-inches. It was hand-sewn with long fur. He went to my great aunt, who I happened to be living with at the time. I tried some fabric bears but didn't really like them so I went back to the furry ones.

Over the years I have made koala puppets, teddy bears of all sizes and colors. I've also created a skunk, some rabbits and at least one lamb. I've crocheted them as well as cross-stitching a few here and there. I have sold a few of my bears but most of them have been either given as gifts or for my daughter. The last bear I made was for my (now ex-) boyfriend for our first Valentine's Day in 2002. I've even made a few monsters from socks (shown above)! I love to crochet critters, and almost always use my own designs.
The one thing that has eluded me for years is being able to make my own bear pattern for a fur bear (crochet ones are much easier!). I have created dozens of bears and modified the patterns to fit what I wanted but no matter how I try I just don't seem to be able to create my own bear pattern. I can create Halloween costumes from out of my head, draw, sew just about anything but still no bear pattern. It is so frustrating! Any advice on how to overcome this?
The one thing that has eluded me for years is being able to make my own bear pattern for a fur bear (crochet ones are much easier!). I have created dozens of bears and modified the patterns to fit what I wanted but no matter how I try I just don't seem to be able to create my own bear pattern. I can create Halloween costumes from out of my head, draw, sew just about anything but still no bear pattern. It is so frustrating! Any advice on how to overcome this?
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