Beary charitable workshop: Day 1

We had so much fun today at a free little demonstration/class I held for people to learn how to make a fast, simple teddy bear. This bear is perfect for giving to a child who needs a smile, and I hope that all who attended are on their way to making lots of these little guys to fill the world with some much-needed bear hugs.

Things I learned from my first-ever teaching experience:

1. Have one pattern (and one pattern only) ready to demonstrate, because if you have two to select from, the group will inevitably choose the one you haven't prepared all the stages for.
2. It's so much fun to have kids in the class, but I'll probably separate them into their own class next time.
3. Every sewing machine is so, so different. I mean, I already knew this, but sometimes you kind of forget after using your same, comfortable machine for eons.
4. When it really rains in Dubai, our ceiling WILL leak. And the ceiling will start to fall apart, raining chips and tape onto your floor/plants/cats/everything.
5. Babies will need to be fed, no matter how messed up the tension is on the sewing machine. (See point #3)
6. It was really, really good to have helpers there. Thanks, Lisa and Lotta!
7. These little bears are so much fun to make!

If you'd like to make your own bears, here's the site I used to get the pattern. I use cotton instead of a knit + interfacing (faster), and I flatten out the belly just a touch because if you use cotton, it kind of looks like the bear has a beer belly - or should I say bear belly? I also use pinking shears all the way around the edges, and would recommend putting just a little stuffing in the ears before stitching across them. I've been tinkering with a rabbit pattern adaption, and will post the results when I get the ears figured out.

Thanks again to everyone who came today! Next class: rag dolls; I'm so excited!