Baby blocks tutorial

I started this project back in december, and finally I have finished it. Although it took me a while to complete these blocks are a great idea for a beginner.

In Belgium, the 6th of December Sinterklaas ( a kind of Santa Claus) comes to bring 'good' children toys, chocolates and tangerines. Since my goddaughter was only 3 months old I could hardly give her any sweets so I looked online for some inspiration. I found a couple of tutorials on making baby blocks that looked pretty cute and not that hard:

Baby Blocks 1

Baby blocks 2

So here you can find how I made my own, these are just the last two of her name, the first I already gave her from Sinterklaas and the second on Chrismas Eve. Each block took me about 30-45minutes to make (once I got the hold of it, the first two took longer ;) ).

Materials needed for one block:

20g of stuffing
6 fabric squares (9x9cm or 3.5x3.5inches)
Matching thread
Optional: Vliesofix

First, select some fabrics that go together, I found this rather hard. When looking at my fabrics I have predominantly prints that don't match up all that well together... But these are the two combinations I picked out:

Next, as you can see on the photo's, time to cut your squares. I cut mine with a 9 cm side  (approximately 3.5 inches). I chose three different fabrics, so I would cut 2 squares from each fabric.

If you want to personalise the blocks with a name, do this before you start sewing the sides together. I used Vliesofix for the first time an I have to say it turned out pretty nice. 

How to use Vliesofix: 

1. Draw the letter on the wrong side of your fabric (you can also do it on the paper-side of the Vliesofix but I found it harder to make sure the letter faced the right way). 
2. Cut a piece of vliesofix the size  of your letter and put the glue-side of the Vliesofix on your fabric.
3. Iron the Vliesofix to your fabric ( I put a seperate piece of fabric between the Vliesofiw and my iron to make sure nothing bad would happen).
4. Cut out your letter following the markings you made in step 1.
5. Peel of the paper of the Vliesofix, there should be some 'glue' remaining on your fabric letter.
6. Next, place the letter on the surface you want and iron once more (again, I put some fabric in between) for about 30 seconds.

Now, time to start sewing!

I always started with the front side (with the letter) so that if anything would go a bit wonky, at least this side looks good.

Place 2 fabric squares right sides together and stitch (I use approx. 0.5 seaming allowance). Do this for both sides of your front side, next attach the top.

Put your first 2 squares together

First side done!

Place the other side on the front and stitch.

Looking good!

Now is when things become a bit more tricky, attach the top to the sides by matching up the squares right sides together. There might by some pulling and fumbling involved to get all the sides sewn.

Top attached to the front.

Now turn so the top and sides can be stitched together.

First corner done!

Then, attach the bottom to the front, again follow up by attaching it to both sides.

Only the back to go!

Last, you still need to attach the back I had some trouble doing this the first time, but when sewing the next blocks it became easier.

Last side you attach, make sure to leave a turning gap of about 3 cm (1 inch), best thing is to leave it in the middle and not on the side, you can see I tried both and when in the middle it made it easier to close the block up. When makin the gap in the middle, just sew an inch, lift up your needle and fabric an then sew together the last inch.

Side gap, this was a bit harder to sew closed.

Better option to keep a gap in the middle.

Turn the block through the gap and start stuffing it making sure you put enough stuffing in the corner to give the blocks the right shape.

Get stuffing!

Still empty...

Last step: close the gap, you can do this by stitching very close to the side with your machine, or sew it by hand to conceal the gap ( I guess it's called a whipstitch).

Closing the gap...

First one done!

And the second one...

Done!

Cute to put next to the crib and great for my goddaughter to dribble on, 

which seems to be her favourite activity right now.

Next project: First piece of clothing!