Felt Bear Mask {Free Pattern}

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BeBetsy

September and October are my favorite sewing months! I get to step back from making a sweet little dress, or new pillow covers, and can get really fun and creative with Halloween costumes. I remember being so excited as a little girl, picking what I would be and waiting to try on what my mom had created! At our house, we're not always all homemade, but I try to carry on the tradition and make at least part of the kid's costumes! 

Up until now, I've decided what our little family would be. Last year the kids were Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and the year before, a panda and geisha girl. I love the coordinating costumes! Now that my little girl is not so little, she has a big opinion. So when she switched from Peter Pan, to Little Red Riding Hood, to Belle, I learned to not get very excited over something and be patient for the final decision. So last week, Miss E announced that she would be Merida from Brave and little brother and sister would be the bear cubs. Brother was hooked, once she said he could be a big scary bear. We're practicing our growls over here :-)

So now that the final decision had been made, I rushed out to the craft store and grabbed some fur for hooded bear vests, and felt for little bear masks. I saw these super cute masks for sale on Etsy and knew that I could make some with my own little twist. 

Not only did they cost about $1 each, but they were also fast and super easy. My kind of project! I turned these out during one nap time. And I think they are adorable on my little bears!

Want to make your own? Here's my pattern! 
You'll need 
1 sheet of brown felt
1 sheet of tan felt
1 button
1 package of brown ruffle elastic
Misc. sewing supplies

First, cut two face patterns out of the brown felt. Cut the ear centers and mouth from the tan felt. 

Next, have your little bear put the mask to his face and measure how much elastic you'll need to wrap from one side of the mask to the other. I made them so they weren't super tight, but snug enough to stay put. Mark on the face pattern where the little bear's eyes line up.

Using a spool of thread for your circular eye shape, trace a circle around each eye center mark. Cut. Match up the two face patterns, transfer the eye circles to the other, and cut.

I laid everything out to make sure that it was the look that I was going for. Place ears and mouth on face pattern and sew in place. Make sure to get close to the edges and take your time around curves!

Pin the elastic below the ears on the second face pattern (the one without ears or a mouth). Sew in place.

Now as if creating a sandwich, sew the two face patterns together (wrong sides), top stitching very close to the outside edges. Top stitch along the circular eye holes. 

Last, sew a button on for the nose. I chose to do pink for my little girl, with an extra bow just to be cute. Mr. H got a brown and black button for his not-so-scary bear. 

I hope you enjoy these cute little bear masks as much as we do. Miss E & Mr. H love to wear them around the house! I'll have to add some photos when their costumes are complete! They'll also make a great addition to the dress up bin after Halloween. Now onto furry vests and a princess dress :-)

**Update** I just had to share how their costumes turned out! They absolutely loved their furry vests and bear masks!

What are your little one's going to dress up as this Halloween?








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