Bear Ear Headband

Wednesday, I mused on the ethics of cutting up cute stuffed animals to make new things (I don’t think anyone minds if I cut up the ugly ones.  Teletubbies beware!)

Well, I sacrificed a toy dog and a stuffed bald eagle to make five bear ear headbands like the one you see above.

These are pretty simple.  First, you cut out a simple ear shape from a fur-like fabric (make sure that your ears are about 1/2 inch bigger around than you want your final project to be.

Second, you cut the same shape from either the same fabric, or another color (depending on the effect you want–see the above picture for the “two different fabrics” look).

Third, place the two pieces together (fuzzy side in) and stitch around the outer edge of the ear, LEAVING THE BOTTOM OF THE EAR UNSTITCHED.  When stitched, fold ear inside out, so that stitching is on the inside and fur is outside.

Fourth, sew the bottom (unstitched) part to the headband, by wrapping the unstitched ends around the headband and stitching them to each other.  Keep the headband between them, or it won’t look right.  This part is much easier if you use a headband that is covered with cloth, rather than the normal sort of plastic headband.

Now, repeat the last step with the other ear, and you’re done!

This can be used to make all sorts of ears, not just for bears.  If you can make alligator ears, I need a picture of them…