Teddy Bear Pajama Bag – DIY Christmas Gift Idea

Every year I like to give at least one nostalgic Christmas gift to my granddaughters. This past Christmas I made my eldest a handmade teddy bear pajama bag. She is an only child who loves anything soft and cuddly, whether it is a stuffed toy or a big fluffy faux fur throw. This little bear quickly became my favorite gift. It is unique, snuggly, works as a toy, and even helps her remember to put her pajamas away. Most of all it is a handmade keepsake I hope she loves until it is completely worn out.

What Is a Pajama Bag?

What Is a Pajama Bag

If you have never seen a pajama bag before, it is a bit of old-fashioned charm that deserves a comeback. Pajama bags are soft little pillows or stuffed animals with an opening to tuck pajamas inside. During the day they sit on the bed looking cute, and at night the pajamas come out for bedtime. It is a simple and practical idea, but one that feels warm, cozy, and full of nostalgia.

What Is a Pajama Bag?

If you have never seen a pajama bag before, it is a bit of old-fashioned charm that deserves a comeback. Pajama bags are soft little pillows or stuffed animals with an opening to tuck pajamas inside. During the day they sit on the bed looking cute, and at night the pajamas come out for bedtime. It is a simple and practical idea, but one that feels warm, cozy, and full of nostalgia.

Farmhouse Teddy Bear Pajama Bag

My version is made from bleached drop cloth and soft buffalo check fabric to match the girls’ Christmas bedroom décor. You can easily swap out the fabrics to suit your own color scheme, maybe pink flannel for a cottagecore room, blue stars for a boy’s space, or a red and green print for Christmas morning magic.

Pajama Bag Supplies

• 1 meter (yard) of plain light fabric (drop cloth, cotton, or flannel
• Scraps of patterned fabric for ears and tummy (buffalo check, Christmas print, or bedroom colors)
• Black or dark brown embroidery thread (or black fabric paint)
• Parchment paper and carbon paper
• Teddy bear pattern (available in the Pretty DIY Home Library, or you can sketch your own)
• Scissors, pins, and a sewing machine

Step 1 – Make the Pattern

Print or draw half of a teddy bear shape onto parchment paper. The easiest way to make both sides of a project identical is to create a half pattern and copy it onto both sides after cutting. Place the straight edge of your pattern along the fold of your fabric so when you cut it out, your bear is perfectly symmetrical. Trace and cut two body pieces from the main fabric.

Trace and cut the tummy and ear shapes from your accent fabric, such as buffalo check, Christmas print, or bedroom colors. Try to align the fabric so both ears match.

Step 2 – Cut Out the Fabric

Fold your main fabric wrong sides together and place your teddy bear pattern along the fold. Pin in place and cut out both layers at once so you have two identical bear shapes.

Next, fold your accent fabric and cut out the tummy and ear pieces. If you are using plaid or buffalo check, try to line up the pattern so both ears match.

Once all your fabric is cut, do a zig-zag stitch around all the cut fabric pieces to prevent the threads from unraveling.

Step 3– Transfer the Face Pattern

To give your teddy bear its face, work with only one of the fabric pieces and set the other aside for now. Place the piece you are using good side up, then trace the pattern onto the fabric.

Working on one half of the face at a time, trace the features using carbon paper. Pin the bottom of your large pattern to the bottom edge of the bear, then slide the carbon paper underneath the face area. Gently trace, pressing just enough to transfer the design.

Flip the parchment pattern over and trace the second side, or print the right-hand pattern pieces and line them up before transferring. Use whichever method feels most comfortable. The carbon tracing is not permanent, so if something looks uneven you can lightly adjust it with a pencil or retrace before stitching.

Note: After finishing the tracing, I noticed a bit of carbon had transferred from the pressure of my hands while I worked. Once the bear was completely done, I gave him a quick wash to remove any marks before taking the final photos. A gentle wash will take care of any leftover carbon lines or pencil smudges.

Step 4 – Add the Appliqué

Press the front piece of your teddy bear fabric flat. Using your pattern as a guide, pin the accent fabric for the ears and tummy in place.

You can use Heat n Bond to make the appliqué easier to position, but you will still need to sew around each piece to make it durable and washable. Use a zigzag stitch and go around each shape twice for strength.

Step 5 – Embroider the Face

Embroider the eyes and the nose using satin stitch in black or dark brown.    Use a straight stitch for the remaining lines.

The embroidery only takes about an hour and a half to do.  The little bear is meant to be a bit homespun looking, so its a perfect starter project if you want to try embroidery.  Of course, you can always paint the face on using fabric paint.

Step 6 – Sew the Pajama Bag

Place the appliquéd bear front good side up, then lay the second piece of fabric good side down on top. Pin all around the edges. At the bottom of the bear, mark and pin the start and stop points for your seam. This opening will stay unsewn so pajamas can be added later.

Sew a narrow 1/3 inch seam around the outside of the bear, then turn it right side out and press the seams flat. To finish the opening, sew a small strip of Velcro inside the bottom edge so children can easily open and close their pajama bag on their own.

Step 7 – Finishing Touches

Turn your bear right side out and press the seams flat so he keeps his shape. Give him a light wash to remove any carbon marks or pencil lines from tracing. Once dry, your teddy bear pajama bag is ready to fill with a cozy pair of Christmas pajamas.

The soft Velcro closure at the bottom makes it easy for little hands to tuck pajamas away each morning and pull them out again at bedtime.

This little bear is meant to look a bit homespun and loved. Whether you sew him in farmhouse neutrals, Christmas plaid, or a child’s favorite color, he is sure to become a bedtime friend.

 

Like the little bear?  Pin it for Later

If you like the thought of giving a cuddly pajama bag as a toy, or as a surprise wrapping idea, pin this to your DIY Christmas or sewing board for later.

 

Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas

Whether you make this pajama bag in buffalo check and farmhouse neutrals or a fun Christmas print, it’s the kind of handmade gift children remember. My granddaughter loves her, and it makes me happy to share the memory with her of my old pink pajama doll bag.

You can personalize the idea to fit your own children’s Christmas wishes. Fill the bear with cozy new Christmas pajamas, a bedtime book, or even a pink bling journal and a pair of fuzzy socks. For a teen, make it from their favorite fabric and tuck in a Kobo or another small reading gadget instead. For a little boy, try denim or flannel in his favorite color. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift for a baby’s first Christmas or a sweet addition to a child’s holiday bedroom décor.

More Cozy Christmas Sewing Ideas

If you enjoy making handmade Christmas gifts, here are two simple sewing projects, similar to the teddy bear pajama bag.