How to Sew a Ball
Sew a ball to give to a small child to play with in the crib or to toss around with older children. The size of the ball is entirely up to you, as is the choice of fabric and the material inside it. For a soft baby toy, use fleece or other soft fabric. Use a durable fabric, such as canvas, for a ball that will be tossed around. Fill the ball with batting or beans.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Paper
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Straight pins
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine
- Polyester batting
- Dried beans or plastic pellets (optional)
- Hand sewing needle
Instructions
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1
Draw a vertical line on the paper that measures the width you'd like the ball to be. Draw a horizontal line across the center of the vertical line that measures 1/6 the width of the ball. Draw slightly curved lines connecting the ends of the horizontal and vertical lines, so that you have a leaf-like shape on the paper. Cut out the shape.
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2
Pin the shape to the fabric and cut out. Cut a total of six fabric pieces.
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3
Place two cut pieces of fabric on top of each other, right sides facing in. Line up the sides of the fabric pieces and pin together along one side. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam on the pinned side.
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4
Unfold the sewn-together pieces and place another fabric piece on top of one of the pieces, lining up one long edge. Pin together along the edge, then sew together with a 1/4 inch seam.
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5
Unfold that piece of fabric and place a fourth piece on top of it, lining up one long edge. Pin and sew with 1/4 inch seam. Repeat until all six pieces are sewn together.
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6
Bring the remaining two long edges of the shapes together, then pin. The right sides of the fabric will face in. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 2 inch gap.
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7
Turn the fabric right side out. Fill with batting, beans or pellets, or a combination, until the ball is full and round in shape.
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8
Hand sew the gap closed.
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9
Cover the ends of the ball, which may be uneven, with fabric circles if you'd like. Cut two 1 to 2 inch fabric circles and pin one to each end. Hand sew in place. Use 2 inch circles for a larger ball and 1 inch circles for a smaller ball.
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