DIY Project: Bear Sock Doll (QQ寶貝熊）

Hi everyone. It's been a while since my last DIY project, which was a post on DIY suspender leggings (click) so I decided to share a new one with you today. I got this DIY sock doll kit（named qq寶貝熊/ sweet qq bear)when I was shopping in Kinokuniya and decided that I should try to make my own soft toy for the first time.  

This is a really image heavy post because I *tried* photographing every step of the process so let's get straight into it shall we? 

(Disclaimer: I do not have any rights on the design or pattern of the doll. All rights belong to the publisher, Booku Play and no copyright infringement is intended).

This is what I should hopefully end up with.

You will need: 

• A sock (the foot part of the sock will determine the colour of the body while the ankle part will be the colour of the outfit of the bear)
• cotton
• felt (for the bear's face and scarf)
• black beads (for the eyes. You can use black felt to replace this if you can't find black beads)
• sewing kit
• craft glue
• pen
• coin (to mark the shape for the ears)

1. Fill the sock with cotton. The size of it will determine the size of the body of the bear.

2. Adjust the shape into an oval and cut off the remaining portion of the sock (approximately 11cm from the tip). Sew around edge. 

3. Pull the thread tight and the opening should start to get smaller. Sew around once more and pull the thread tight to close up the opening. 

4. Sew to secure.

5. You should end up with an oval-shaped ball(suggested size in the intruction was 9.5x6cm but mine was 10x6cm). 

6. Use a pen and a coin and mark 2 circles (for the ears).

7. Cut around marking and you will end up with 2 circles. The next bit was quite challenging for me because it was so incredibly fiddly so I forgot to take a photo (sorry!!).

You will need to sew around the edge and pull it slightly tighter (do not close it completely). Fill in with cotton, pull thread tight to close up opening and sew to secure. 

8. Sew the round ears into the body.

9. This is what it should look like so far.

10. Make 4 u-shape markings (for the limbs so it should ideally be of the same colour as the body and ears). The ones I have were too small (my bear has tiny limbs) so make it slightly bigger than what I have there if you trying to make this yourself.

11. Sew around the marking (sewing together 2 layers of the sock) and then cut each u-shape out.

The next step was again too fiddly, so sorry for not having a picture but you just need to flip each u-shape inside out and fill it with cotton. Then proceed to attach 2 into either side of the body and 2 onto the bottom of the body.

12. Cute the ankle part of the sock out and it should fit around the body. Cut out holes for the arms.

13. Sew around bottom edge (to make romper but leave it open if you want to make a dress).

14. Once again, pull thread tighter and the opening should become smaller. After that, sew the edges but only from the inside of the legs and pull thread tight to close. Sew to secure.

15. Use a pin to decide on the position for the eyes and then sew into desired position. (if you can't find beads, use black felt and make 2 tiny circles then sew/glue it onto desired position).

16. Make 2 small circles and one bigger oval on white felt. Draw on nose and mouth on the oval shape.

17. Cut around markings. Stitch in the marking for nose and mouth.

18. Use craft glue to glue the 2 small circles onto the ears and oval into the middle of the face and voila!

19. This step is for decorative purposes so it's optional. Cut out 2 tiny circle and one thin strip of felt. Glue circles onto front of the body to make buttons and tie strip around the neck then use glue to secure.

Something is missing....

I think the little bear needs some colour on his cheeks.

*pat pat*

*pat pat*

ALL DONE!! 

I had so much fun making this little bear and it took me around 2 and a half hours to finish. I have horrid sewing skills so if I can make this I am sure anyone can. I think this sock doll will make an excellent bag charm/cellphone charm/key ring (just attach strap) or as an amazing gift.

If you are trying to make this yourself and have any questions that you want to ask me just leave it in the comments!

This is it from me so far. 

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Until next time xoxo