August 2024

Are you looking for a unique and easy-to-make baby gift? In this post, I show you how to create soft fabric blocks that are perfect for little hands to hold, shake, and play with.

This is a fun and quick sewing project that even beginners can handle.

Fabric Blocks Materials You’ll Need:

Six different fabric prints
Quilter’s cotton works great, but you can also use corduroy, denim, flannel, upcycled sweaters, or t-shirts.
Stabilizer: Fusible fleece is recommended, especially for lighter fabrics like cotton. Use heavier-weight fleece for quilter’s cotton.
Pattern: Use the measurements given or you can download and print the pattern (which includes two different types of balls) I’ve provided a link below with various block sizes and additional fabric ball patterns.
Pins/fabric clips (optional)
Needle and thread
Turning stick
Iron/Ironing board
Fiberfill stuffing
Optional: A jingle bell to add a fun sound element.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric

Cut out six fabric squares, each 5×5 inches, and six pieces of fusible fleece, each 4.5×4.5 inches.

Attach the fusible fleece to the wrong side of each fabric square, centering it to leave a quarter-inch seam allowance around the edges.

(The bumpy side of the fleece is the side that is applied to the fabric).

Press the fleece onto the fabric using a wool and steam setting for a secure bond.

Step 2: Assemble the Fabric Blocks

Lay out your fabric squares in a line, arranging them to ensure that no two similar colors are next to each other.

Start by sewing the squares together, leaving a quarter-inch unsewn at the top and bottom of each seam.

This gap will be essential for assembling the block correctly later.

Step 3: Sew the Squares Together

Begin by sewing the sides of the block first. Place the right sides of two squares together and sew along the edge, backstitching at the start and end.

Repeat this process for the remaining squares to create the sides of your block.

Place the two side block pieces on the end of the row right sides together and sew a seam to make a circle (box).
(Leave a ¼ inch allowance at the beginning and end of the seam).

If you want to add a tag to the fabric blocks, this is a great time to do so. Baste the tag in place before sewing one of the side seams.

LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TAGS/LABELS HERE.

Step 4: Sewing the Sides of the Fabric Blocks

Sew the side seams in the manner shown in the picture above. Leave ¼ inch at the beginning and end of the seams.

This will form a box.

Step 4: Form the Box

Once the sides are sewn, attach the top and bottom squares.

Remember to leave a small section unsewn on one side to allow for turning the fabric blocks right side out later.

Step 5: Sewing Top of the Box to the Sides

Now it’s time to sew the top of the fabric blocks to the sides.

Place one side piece together with the corresponding top side. Line up fabric edges and sew starting from the already sewn edge to the other sewn seam.

Leave an opening on one of the sides.

Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of these seams.

After sewing one side, flip the fabric pieces to align the edges of the fabric and the end of the corners. Do this for all sides to form a box.

Step 6: Turn and Stuff the Fabric Blocks

Turn the block right side out through the opening. Use a turning stick to push out the corners, making sure they’re crisp.

Stuff the block with fiberfill, adding a jingle bell if you like. Continue stuffing until the block is firm but still soft and squishy.

Step 7: Close the Opening

Thread a needle and use a slip stitch to close the opening.

For more detailed instructions on how to sew a slip stitch, go here, or watch the video below.

This stitch will keep your seam neat and invisible.

Once the seam is closed, tie off the thread, hide the knot, and trim the thread.

And there you have it, soft, squishy fabric blocks that makes a wonderful gift for any baby.

Get out your sewing machine, some fabric scraps, and a little stuffing, and make these adorable blocks for the next baby gift you need.

Look how cute the fabric balls are. Babies love these toys!

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A PENTAGON BALL AND A BABY BEACH BALL

Happy sewing!

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Shop Products

Shop

Newsletter Sign Up

YOUTUBE

How To Make a Waterproof Baby Changing Mat / Simple Sewing Tutorial

March 23, 2024 / Baby, SEWING, Sewing Videos, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / 2 Comments

DIY Baby Bib Tutorial | Reversible

June 26, 2021 / Baby, Clothing and Accessories, SEWING, Sewing Videos, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / 2 Comments

Diy Baby Beanie Hats from Recycled T shirts

October 18, 2018 / Baby, Clothing and Accessories, SEWING, Sewing Videos, Upcycling, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

mitered corner baby blanket sewing tutorial

DIY – Mitered Corners Baby Blanket

October 23, 2016 / Baby, SEWING, Sewing Videos, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / 14 Comments

baby blocks baby gifts Sewing

Do you find yourself using a lot of plastic Ziploc bags for lunches and snacks? Think about the waste, especially if you’re packing lunches for kids every day. I have an alternative that I think you will like. My new snack bag pattern and video tutorial will help reduce some of that waste by making your own washable, reusable snack bags.

Why Make Your Own Snack Bags?

Here are a few statistics to bring to your awareness:

1- Scale of Plastic Production: Plastics, including bags, have become a significant part of our daily lives, with half of all plastics ever produced being made in the last 15 years. Single-use plastics, like bags, are particularly concerning because they are used for a short time but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

2- Environmental Impact: Every year, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans from coastal nations. This amount is akin to placing five garbage bags of plastic waste on every foot of the world’s coastlines. Plastics often contain additives that make them more durable, leading to decomposition times of up to 400 years or more. This longevity means they accumulate in natural habitats, disrupting ecosystems and harming wildlife.

(Environmental Protection Agency)

3- Human Health Concerns: Plastics and microplastics have been found in human organs such as the liver, kidneys, and placenta. Additionally, the chemicals used in plastics can leach into food and water, potentially leading to health issues like developmental, reproductive, and neurological disorders.

4- Ingestion: Animals frequently mistake plastic particles for food. For example, sea turtles often consume plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, one of their primary food sources. Ingested plastics can cause physical harm, block digestive tracts, reduce the urge to eat, and lead to starvation or malnutrition. Additionally, microplastics, which are tiny fragments resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, have been found in over 100 aquatic species, including fish and shellfish consumed by humans (Environmental Protection Agency) (UNEP – UN Environment Programme).

5- Plastics contain and absorb harmful chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and heavy metals. These chemicals can leach out of the plastic into the tissues of animals that ingest them, leading to potential toxic effects. Such contamination can impact the endocrine system, reproductive health, and overall survival of wildlife (UNEP – UN Environment Programme).

I think that is enough information to convince you that making reusable snack bags is a great idea.

Snack Bag Ribbon Loop Convenience

These snack bags have convenient ribbon loops for easy opening and in addition, have a box bottom design that makes filling and accessing your snacks a breeze.

This makes it so nice when you’re filling the snack bags or when you need to grab your hand in and get something; the goodies you have inside will not fall out and spill all over.

Plus, they’re washable, waterproof, and one-of-a-kind!

https://geni.us/XONvIP4The PULL (Polyurethane laminate fabric) recommended for this project is non-toxic, food-grade fabric, and washable.
You can get this fabric here, or some stores have it in stock.

These snack bags are perfect for:

kids to take to school
to keep in your purse or car
hikes
beach trips, etc.

This is a great project if you’re new to sewing or looking for a quick project.

In the pattern and tutorial I provide measurements for two different sizes, and if you’re like me and prefer having a printout of the instructions, here is the link to the pattern.

Jan Howell

Connect:

Jan Howell

Fabric Blocks Materials You’ll Need:

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric

Step 2: Assemble the Fabric Blocks

Step 3: Sew the Squares Together

Step 4: Sewing the Sides of the Fabric Blocks

Step 4: Form the Box

Step 5: Sewing Top of the Box to the Sides

Step 6: Turn and Stuff the Fabric Blocks

Step 7: Close the Opening

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL

Jan Howell

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Related Posts

Why Make Your Own Snack Bags?

Snack Bag Ribbon Loop Convenience

These snack bags are perfect for:

Other posts and tutorials you may be interested in:

Jan Howell

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Related Posts