Make-A-Bear Workshop for Kids Held at Suffern Library

BY BARRY WARNER

Kids can love their favorite teddy bears as if they were real people and members of the family.

Recently at Suffern Library, kids had the opportunity to create their own teddy bears at a “Make-A-Bear” workshop led by library staff.

Instructions for making the teddy bear include using a die cutting machine by an adult that allows the same shapes or templates to be generated in various materials such as felt. The sides are put together and sewn around the edges of the bear, leaving about one and half inches for stuffing with fiberfill.

The stuffing is pushed into the arms, legs, head and ears with the blunt edge of a pencil. Stitches are used to separate the ears from the head to provide more definition.

The children finished the teddy bear by adding buttons or using a marker for the facial features.

Legend suggests that when President Theodore Roosevelt or ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub, people adopted the term ‘teddy bear’ to associate the stuffed bear with the popular president. According to Children’s Librarian Kim Hack, books about bears include ‘Polar Bear Night’ by Lauren Thompson and ‘That’s Not My Teddy’ by Fiona Watt.

For additional information about future programs call The Suffern Library at 845-357-1237