Updated March 2026
Today, there is a variety of teddy bear making supplies fabrics – viscose, mohair, faux fur, etc. I am going to share information from personal experience about the purpose, differences, pluses, and cons of each type of fabric for teddy bears.
Viscose – The Easy Way
I started my journey with viscose and made over 100 teddies using it. Viscose for teddy bears is a fabric with a cotton base and natural viscose pile, specially produced for toys at the German factories Helmbold and Steiff Schulte. I used a viscose 6 mm pile from both brands.
Pluses:
- Does not stretch
- Easy to work
- Shine fades, giving a vintage look
- Suitable for small-sized teddy bears (10–20 cm)
Cons:
- High price (Steiff Schulte is more expensive than Helmbold)
Conclusion: Suitable for beginners wanting a vintage look.
Here you can see some of my teddies made from viscose:
Mohair – Classic Teddy Bears and More
Mohair has a cotton base, sometimes with synthetic fibers. The pile is made from natural wool or silk. Mohair can be straight or curly, with short, medium, or long pile. Traditionally, it is used for classic teddy bears, but it is also great for other authors’ toys.
Pluses:
- Suitable for all sizes of teddy bears
- Great variety
- Does not stretch and is pleasant to touch
Cons:
- Beginners may want to learn the basics first
Conclusion: Ideal for creating classic teddy bears.
Examples:
There is also alpaca fabric, similar to mohair, very pleasant to touch but more expensive. I made only a few toys from alpaca.
Faux Fur – From Realistic Animals to Fantasy Critters
Faux fur (also called plush) is a synthetic imitation of natural fur. The base can stretch, or be strong and non-stretching. Pile length varies. Many modern artists love this fabric, and so do I.
Pluses:
- Great variety
- Perfect for realistic animals
- Very pleasant to touch and visually appealing
- Suitable for medium (20 cm+) and large teddy bears
Cons:
- Not easy to sew
- Cutting produces a lot of loose pile
Conclusion: Not ideal for beginners.
Examples:
I have listed the most popular fabrics among teddy bear making supplies fabrics for sewing teddy bears and their friends. There are also others, such as special mohair for plush hedgehogs or very short pile fur for miniature bears. My hedgehog is made from viscose and “hedgehog” mohair.
Before You Go
Do not buy fabrics at very low prices, or you may be disappointed with the quality. Choose a “golden mean” and trusted sellers, order sample pieces before committing, and visit offline teddy bear exhibitions to feel the fabrics in hand.
I hope this guide helps you select the best materials from teddy bear making supplies. If you have questions or need advice, leave a comment – I’ll be happy to help!
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