They close up Build‑A‑Bear plushies using a simple sewing technique on a special opening in the back of the “skin” (the fabric shell), usually with a hidden seam that’s designed to be reopened and re‑closed if needed.

Quick Scoop

At Build‑A‑Bear, the bears arrive as empty fabric “skins” with an opening in the back or side that’s meant for stuffing. After the child stuffs the bear at the machine, a staff member adjusts the filling, checks the shape, and then closes that opening with a neat, nearly invisible stitch.

That closure is typically a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), which pulls the two edges of the fabric together so the seam blends in with the rest of the bear. The bears are intentionally designed so that this seam can be opened again later (for cleaning or restuffing) and then sewn back up without damaging the plush.

Step‑by‑step: How the bears are closed

Here’s the basic process in simple terms:

  1. The bear “skin” has a built‑in opening seam on the back for stuffing.
  1. The employee attaches the opening to the stuffing machine and fills the bear to the child’s preferred firmness.
  1. They smooth the stuffing around, making sure the arms, legs, and head are evenly filled.
  1. The fabric edges of the opening are aligned neatly.
  1. Using a ladder/invisible stitch, they sew the opening closed so the seam lies flat and is hard to see.
  1. Any knot or finishing stitch is tucked inside so it doesn’t show or feel obvious from the outside.

From the outside, it just looks like a regular part of the bear’s back seam, not a big zipper or Velcro strip.

Why they use this kind of seam

  • It’s safer for kids than hard closures like zippers or snaps.
  • It looks clean and “factory‑made,” which keeps the illusion that the bear was magically brought to life.
  • It can be reopened by trained staff or careful collectors for washing, repair, or restuffing.
  • It helps the bear keep its shape and prevents stuffing from leaking out.

Collectors and fans often talk about opening these seams with a seam ripper to wash bears, then getting them restuffed at the store and stitched closed again in the same way.

If you ever need a bear reopened

Many people:

  • Carefully open the back seam themselves with a seam ripper to unstuff and wash the bear.
  • Air‑dry the “skin,” then bring it back to Build‑A‑Bear to be restuffed for free.
  • Either sew it closed at home with a ladder stitch or let the store team close it for a professional finish.

So in short: Build‑A‑Bear doesn’t use a complicated hidden mechanism; they rely on a well‑placed opening and a neat invisible stitch to close up the bears after stuffing.

TL;DR: Build‑A‑Bear bears are stuffed through a built‑in opening in the back and then closed with an almost invisible ladder stitch, so the seam blends in and can be reopened for restuffing or repairs later.