This handsome fisherman was originally made for a friend from Alaska who said she would love to see a fishing bear. I made it small as a wall hanging for rustic room, but the pattern comes with directions for 3 sizes: the main instruction is for 36"x42", with additional 24x28 and 48x56. I was coordinating my colors of some fun bear fabric that I planned to put on the back, or use as a border.
I have recently remade the fishing bear in the larger lap size for my Grandfather. I used flannel to make the vest which I think added a lot of character. Also a lighter color bear, it is amazing what different colors can do. Grandma says he sits with it on his lap every night.
Skill Level: Beginner
The pattern first uses a chart with the given number of strips to be cut for each color. Second, it has a set of charts with piece lengths to be cut and labeled from those strips. The shaping is done with quick corner triangles, or the “snowball method” where a sew line is drawn corner to corner on a square and place on top of another square or rectangle. Once those squares are marked you follow a full page color labeled image of the quilt, assembling piece by piece, row by row.
You might notice that in the last picture the bear does not have a face. The round eyes and mouth are added after the top is complete. There are instructions included on how to do that.
