No Naked Bears

So, Christmas has come and gone and Build a Bear Workshop was a  part of ours ;)  However, anyone who knows me  knows I am not paying what they want for clothing for these guys.  And my girlie wanted some of those clothes soooo badly. 

This pair of bear pants were only TWO....2....1, 2  two seams!  I used recycled jeans of my daughter's.  They were made a smidge bigger than this bear...but only by a hair ;)  I made them because this is not the creature they are intended for.  My daughter picked out the bulldog (and promptly named her Uga, as any good Georgia peach would).  And Uga is a smidge more pudgy than the average Build a Bear.  So, these directions might be give-or-take about 1/4 inch here or there.  Not too hard to manage when you are sewing too big and NOT too small ;)

Here is my template

Here we go with the tutorial....in as many pictures as possible!!

 I lined up the hems of an old pair of jeans with the bottom of my pattern piece.  This means no hemming required!  Easy Peasy!!

Lay the pattern piece (which is meant to be placed ON a FOLD) on the fold of the outer leg seam.  I slit my inseam so that it would lie flat.

The hem of my jeans are exactly on the bottom edge of my pattern piece.

 And outer seam is lying flush with the edge of pattern piece.  Pin then cut.

 This is what it should look like :)

 Repeat.  These jeans were purchased with embellishments already applied, so if you'd like something nifty on yours, apply it now!

 With the right sides together, fold each piece in half and pin.....

 then stitch.

 Turn ONE of them right side out.

 And slide that one inside the other to match up crotch seam

 Pin.

 Great time to remove this extra plate if you have a removeable one!

 Stitch the crotch..and it will look like

 this!

 Turn under about a 1/2" waist band.  PRESS.

 It will look like this.

 Stitch all the way around it, except for about 1 1/2 ".

 If you have a bodkin with which to thread your elastic through, use it.  Otherwise a safety pin will work just fine.  This piece of elastic is not the best one for this project..it just turned out to be all I had, after destroying my notions box.  Sooo....anyhow.....it is about 16"-18" long...

 When it comes through to the other side, pin it then size it on your bear.

 While I was sizing, I marked (with disappearing ink) where the tail slit will go.

 Once you've sized the elastic on your bear and pinned it at the size it should be...

 stitch it together

 and then complete the waistband stitch, which encloses the elastic!

 Ripping out the tail slit..

Thought it needed a bit more than I originally marked

 Stitched around it in buttonhole shape..NOT with the buttonhole stitch. Although you could, if you wanted to, but I don't expect these to last forever so I'm not putting a ton of effort into tiny details!!

 Here's my guy!

I can't figure out how to rotate this picture, so I won't worry about it now!

Kids Got My Camera! : New House

Welcome to another installment of Kids Got My Camera!  This is where I go to download pictures from my camera for whatever reason, and discover that my kids got my camera.  They have quite the fascination with taking goofy pictures of themselves.  It could also involve their feet and toes.  I have no idea why that is soo hilarious to them??  Anyway, it is what it is!!!!  So these are the special gifts that they left for me this time. 
You might find some funny ones here and here as well :)
For the first time in our new house:

Kids Got My Camera!

What can I say????

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?
I like my eggs DONE. I love salsa and sour cream on top, too.   Or I'd take an omelette.  I like the works in it!  Stuffed :)

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?
Somewhat windy, a lot of sunshine, but I could stand some warmer temps :)  I'm spoiled, though.  I'm from GA.
3. Do you work better or worse under pressure.
Much better.  Some of my best work is under a great amount of pressure.  I don't know why that is??

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us, is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

I didn't even think of  it, honestly.  I am glad that basketball season is over, though, because our family needs a break from the numerous practices and games and all that entails.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?
Under the influence of h2O.  The shower brings the best thoughts for me.  I always exit the bathroom with the phrase, " hey honey, this thought came to me while I was in the shower........".  His answer is always an excited, "yeah?.......okay.....what?"    LOL

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
Jeans.  Nearly every single day of my life.

7. Do you use sarcasm?
Do I have to confess???

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am soo looking forward to more camping trips this summer.  We did a dry run summer before last.  Then, we went about 4 times last summer.  We are hoping for more great times and even a few hikes this summer.
Also, been thinking about my great aunt who is having some health challenges.  I've never known a time in my life when she wasn't around and I haven't seen her in almost a year.  She's around 90 and my heart is heavy.


Hop on over to From This Side of the Pond to join in Wednesday Hodgepodge.