BEAR BOTTLE BEAUTIES

By Cynthia Buhain-Baello
June 17, 2008
Rated "G"

MATERIALS
Empty jars and bottles
(preferably from peanut butter or
sandwich spreads)
Colorful cotton cloth scraps
Flesh/beige colored stretch cloth
Fiber filling
Black beads for eyes and bigger
beads for nose
Ribbon scraps
Glue, thread, needle

PROCEDURE

1. To make the bear head, cut a
round circle from beige stretch
cloth 4 1/2 inches in diameter.
Sew around circle (on sides only)
until you make a round "pouch"
and fill this up with fiber
filling. Close the round "pouch".

2. Cut a smaller circle from the
same cloth, 2 inches in diameter
and sew around the circle like
the first "pouch" but fill it up
with fiber only slightly. Close
the circle.

3. The bigger one is the bear face
while the smaller one is the
nose. Join these together by
sewing at the center of the
smaller one and going through
the bigger one.

4. Sew two small beads on the "face"
for eyes, and one bigger bead for
the nose. (See photo).

5. Cut two round circles 2 inches
in diameter and sew around the
same way as the "nose" - these
will be for the ears. Stuff
lightly and "fold" in the middle
to create an "ear".

6. Attach these to the bear head
and sew at the "back" to hide
stitches.

7. Cut a round circle from colored
cloth for bear "bonnet" and sew
around circle the same way as
the face, close slightly at back.
Attach to bear face by sewing
around sides, being careful to
"hide" the stitches.

8. Cover the lid of bottle with
cardboard scrap and glue to lid.
Cover the lid with colored cloth
and ribbon around the lid sides.

9. Measure bottle length for "dress"
then cut the colored cloth from
bottle opening to the bottom.
Make sure the "skirt" has enough
allowance for the "hem" and
shirrings to make a "full skirt".
Sew this on to the bottle and
close the edge securely at the
"waist" of the bottle.

10. Glue the bear head to the top
of the lid. Allow to dry.
Sew two round circles from beige
cloth for "hands" and stuff these
then close stitches. Glue to
sides of lid.

11. When dry, accent bear with ribbon
on head or on neck. Try putting
tiny flowers on hand for "bouquet
effect". Personalize by writing
a note and putting this inside
the jar.