Fabric Baby Blocks Stuffed with Memories

How do you give a special gift?  Make it yourself.  Make it personal.  And make it from the heart.

These soft and squishy baby blocks are stuffed full of love and memories (and some polyester toy stuffing too). Like a big hug cubed to the power of three.

 

These make a great baby gift, Mother's Day present or Christening gift.   

Here's what you need:

- Standard sewing equipment: sewing machine, pins, sewing shears etc

- 4 fat quarters (or less) different but co-ordinating quilting cottons

- 4 sheets printer ready fabric such as Jacquard's Cotton sheets for Ink Jet Printing

- Double sided bonding sheet such as Steam a Seam 2 or Wonder Under

- Approximately 6" (15.2cm) flat trim (optional)

- Darning foot of free motion machine embroidery foot for your sewing machine (optional, but helpful for free motion machine embroidery)

- Access to a computer and home printer

- Toy stuffing (You may need as much as 1.5-2 x 20oz or 567g bags, depending on how hard you stuff)

- Hand sewing needle

- Good quality polyester thread

- Stuffing tool such as haemostats (US spelling is hemostats) or similar (optional but helpful)

- Fade-away marking pen or other erasable marking tool

In these instructions, all seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise stated.  All seam allowances are included in the measurements given.

Here's what to do:

1.  From each of the 4 quilting cottons cut 1 square each of the following sizes:

Large - 7.5" x 7.5" (19.1cm x 19.1cm)

Medium - 6" x 6" (15.2cm x 15.2cm)

Small - 4" x 4" (10.2cm x 10.2cm)

2.  Now to prepare your selected photographs for printing on fabric.  You will need to select 3 digital images that you have saved to your computer, one photo for each block. 

You will need to use photo editing software to crop the photos so that they are square.  Photos are generally rectangular so that they fit onto standard photo paper.  So you need to change the shape of the photos so that the photos will a) fit on the photo ready fabric and b) will be the shape suitable for a cube-shaped block.  

But don't panic, you don't need a fancy program like Photoshop to do this, almost any photo editing or printing software that comes free as part of your PC package will do.  I used Microsoft Office Picture Manager.  You need to crop the photo so that it is exactly square.  If you are not sure how to crop photos, look it up in the Help menu of your software. 

When I cropped the photos,I looked at the number of pixels to see that they were exactly the same wide as tall - that is all you have to do.  It doesn't really matter what those numbers are, just as long as they are the same (for example 2574 x 2574 pixels).  Then save the newly cropped picture.  Repeat for the remaining two photos.

3.  Now that the images are the correct shape, we are going to insert them into a document and make them the right size.  Open a new document in a word processor such as Microsoft Office Word. Remove all the margins from all sides of the document.  Depending on what word processor you use and what version you have, these next steps could vary, so again, consult the Help menu of your word processor to see how to remove margins, and then insert and resize images.

First insert the cropped images into the new document.  Then resize them as follows:

1st image - Large - 7.5" x 7.5" (19.1cm x 19.1cm)

2nd image - Medium - 6" x 6" (15.2cm x 15.2cm)

3rd image - Small - 4" x 4" (10.2cm x 10.2cm)

The images must be exactly the given sizes so that the photos fill an entire side of the block with no borders.

If the photos are sized correctly the photos will take up two pages.  Save the document, just for safety.

4.  Following the printer ready fabric manufacturer's instructions, print the photos onto the photo ready fabric.  I advise feeding each sheet into the printer one sheet at a time.  It is also usual to leave the paper backing on the fabric for 24 hours after printing to allow the ink to dry fully. 

When the ink has dried, cut the photo printed fabric into squares of the following finished sizes:

Large - 7.5" x 7.5" (19.1cm x 19.1cm)

Medium - 6" x 6" (15.2cm x 15.2cm)

Small - 4" x 4" (10.2cm x 10.2cm)

These are the same sizes as the quilting cotton squares.

5.  Now to create text to print onto the printer ready fabric.  One side of each block features text.  On the largest block I wrote memories of the baby (stream of consciousness style), on the medium block I wrote nursery rhymes his mum sings to him and on the little block I wrote his name over and over again.  In each case I varied the font style and size for interest. 

Create this personalised text by first opening a new document in your chosen word processor.  Remove all margins from the sides of the document so that the text will fit onto the page.  Insert 3 text boxes.  Resize the text boxes so that they are the following sizes:

1st text box - Large - 7"x7" (17.8cm x 17.8cm)

2nd text box - Medium - 5.5" x 5.5" (14cm x 14cm)

3rd text box - Small - 3.5" x 3.5"  (9cm x 9cm)

If the text boxes are sized correctly the text boxes will take up two pages. 

Now format the text box so that there is no line defining the border.  Again, consult the help menu of your word processor to find out how to resize the text boxes and to change the format of the text box in order to remove the line defining the border.

Then write the text you would like to see in each text box.  Play around with different font styles and sizes until you have the look you are after.  Save the document. 

If you have Word 2007 or a compatible word processor then you can download the text that I used in Word format and simply type over my text with more personalised text.  Download Fabric Baby Block Text

6.  Following the manufacturer's instructions, print the two text pages onto the photo ready fabric.  I advise feeding each sheet into the printer one sheet at a time.  It is also usual to leave the paper backing on the fabric for 24 hours after printing to allow the ink to dry fully.  

When the ink has dried, cut the text printed fabric into squares of the following finished sizes with the text centred in the middle.  If you sized the text boxes correctly you should have enough room for 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance around all the text.  Cut the squares to the following finished sizes:

Large - 7.5" x 7.5" (19.1cm x 19.1cm)

Medium - 6" x 6" (15.2cm x 15.2cm)

Small - 4" x 4" (10.2cm x 10.2cm)

These are the same sizes as the quilting cotton squares.

7.  Now to applique A,B,C and 1,2,3 onto the quilting cotton.  Download the templates for the letters and numbers to be appliqued to two sides of each block in PDF format by clicking the following link:  Download Fabric Baby Blocks ABC 123 template

Cut the template pattern out of card stock or other durable template material.  Trace each letter and number onto the paper side of the double sided bonding sheet with the letters flipped over so that they are mirror images.

It is essential that you cut the letters and numbers flipped over so that when you apply the doubled sided bonding sheet to the back of the fabric and cut them out, that the letters and numbers will be facing the right direction.

8.  Iron the doubled sided bonding sheet to the wrong side of a quilting cotton.  I chose to use the black and white checkered fabric, the same fabric that I used for one side of each size block.

 

9.  Cut the letters out.  Remove the paper backing from each letter and number.  Select 2 squares of each size from the quilting cottons that you cut out in step 1.  Place the letter or number so it is centred in the square with the right side of the fabric facing up.  Iron each letter and number in place, pressing until the sticky side of the double sided bonding sheets is fully adhered to the fabric.

 

You will notice that the letters and numbers are sized to fit the blocks in the following sizes:

A & 1 - Large square

B & 2 - Medium square

C & 3 - Small Square

10.  Once each letter and number is adhered to a quilting cotton square, you will need to stitch the letters and numbers in place.  I stitched around all the raw edges of each letter and number by machine.  I used the number 10 stitch shown on my sewing machine.

If you do not have a stitch like this one on your sewing machine, you could use a zig-zag stitch or alternatively you could use a hand stitch called the blanket stitch to finish off the raw edges of the letters and numbers.  

Need to know how to blanket stitch by hand?  Here's how you do the blanket stitch: 

Thread a hand sewing needle with 2 strands of embroidery floss (you can use thread but embroidery floss works better for this hand stitch).   The blanket stitch is worked by taking your needle in at a point approximately ⅛” (3mm) – ¼” (6mm) from the raw edge of the fabric to the back side of the fabric with the point of the needle pointed toward the cut edge.  The thread is then pulled through with the needle over the working thread.  The stitch is then repeated by moving the needle over ⅛” (3mm) – ¼” (6mm) where the needle is once again taken in at a point approximately ⅛” (3mm) – ¼” (6mm) from the raw edge of the fabric to the back side of the fabric once.  Repeat until the desired edge is completely stitched.

Stitch all around the raw edges of each letter and number.

11.  This next step is optional.  On one of the quilting cotton squares (I chose a medium sized one) sew a flat trim across the square by machine.

12.  This step is also optional, but looks great.  We are going to free motion machine embroider the baby's name on 2 squares of the quilting cotton (I chose one of the largest squares and one of the smallest size squares).

Not sure how to free motion machine embroider?  Here's how to do it:

Set up your sewing machine for free motion machine embroidery.  Change your regular presser foot on your sewing machine to a darning or free motion machine embroidery foot, if you have one.  If you don't have a darning or free motion machine embroidery foot for your machine, simply remove the presser foot altogether.  Be sure to either drop your sewing machine’s feed dogs or cover them with a plate.  If you don’t know which you need to do for your machine, consult your sewing machine manual.  Set your stitch length and width to 0.  Thread your machine and bobbin with a good quality polyester thread.
   
You may also find it easier to put the fabric in an embroidery hoop so that it is held taut or use a stabliser.  Again, it can be done without (in this case, I used neither a hoop, nor stabiliser).

Using a purple fade-away marker or similar removable marking tool, write the baby's name on the corner of two of the quilting cotton squares, leaving about 1/2 " (12mm) between the name and the cut edge of the square.  When you begin stitching, loosely hold the top thread in your hand and use the hand wheel to lower your needle into your fabric where you wish to begin sewing, and keep the presser foot up.  Bring the needle back up again using the hand wheel and pull on the thread to bring the bobbin thread to the top side of the fabric. You do this by pulling the tail of thread on the top side of the fabric to bring up a loop of the bobbin thread.  Pull the loop until the bobbin thread sits on top of the fabric. Lower your presser foot and begin stitching.  You can travel in any direction and you control the speed at which the fabric is fed through the machine.  Free motion machine embroider the name, following the lines that you marked.

When you are finished, use your hand wheel to lift the needle to its highest point, lift the presser foot, pull the fabric away from the machine and snip your threads leaving longish tails.  Pull the tail of thread on the top side of the fabric in order to bring up a loop of the bobbin thread.  Pull the loop until the bobbin thread sits on top of the fabric.  Tie both the threads from the beginning and ending of your stitching in a reef or an overhand knot.  

13.  Now to begin to assemble the blocks, pin 4 squares of the same size with right sides together.  I chose to use the printed text square, then a letter square, followed by a photo square and then a number square.  Stitch the squares together using a 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance.

14.  Complete the first four sides of the block shape by stitching the first and last square together with right sides facing.  In my case, I matched the number 2 square to the text printed square with rights sides together.

15.  With right sides together, match the cut edges of the a fifth square to the bottom of the block, stitching using a 1/4" (6mm seam allowance). 

 

16.  Now pin and then stitch the last remaining square of that size to the top of the block, leaving an opening approximately 2" (5.1cm) long along one side of the last square piece.

17.  Reach through the 2" (5.1cm) opening  and turn the block right side out.

18.  Use haemostats or another stuffing tool to fill the block with stuffing through the opening.  If you are an art doll maker, like me, you'll be inclined to stuff very hard, but you can leave the blocks more squishy if you prefer.  The trick to non-lumpy stuffing is to use the largest pieces of stuffing that you can fit into the opening at a time.

19.  With a hand sewing needle and thread, ladder stitch the opening closed. 

If you don’t know how to do the ladder stitch, have a look at this diagram.

I’ve used red thread so you can see the stitch better.  The blue lines indicate where the thread is travelling through the fabric.  When you pull the thread taut the two bits of fabric butt together.  You should pull the thread taut as you go, but I have left it loose at the end here so you can see the stitch better.

20.  Repeat steps 13-19 for the two remaining blocks.

You can display these blocks on a shelf like framed photographs or they can be toys or they can be scattered on a bed for cuddling.   I think the best thing to do with them is give them with love.

Need Help Finding Supplies for this Project?

If you need to find supplies for this project like Jacquard's Printer Ready Fabric, haemostats (US spelling is hemostats) or doubled sided bonding sheets click on the logo below to visit Joggles.com.  They've got what you need:

If you love personalised sewing projects that incorporate photographs like this one, check out Alicia Paulson's book:

Comments

[Baby Bedding]

Marvelous idea thanks to share such tips of stitching.Baby on baby fabric block its so cute....

[Kelley]

Excellent! Are there any printing companies that will print on fabric for you? I don't have a home printer.

[Sherman Unkefer]

Cute baby blocks! It's a nice gift or giveaways this Christmas!

[Mary Mactavish]

I am completely delighted. What a beautiful, loving gift.

[Rachel]

These are amazing. What a fantastic and memorable gift idea. Thanks tons, I'll be linking.

[Charlotte]

Very cute idea - thanks for sharing!

[Sarah]

Fabulous tutorial I’d love it if you’d like to add it to my free children’s patterns here:
http://dollsanddaydreams.blogspot.com/p/free-childrens-toy-tutorials.html

take care, Sarah

[Priya]

Loved it!! Will try it soon!! Thanks so much....

[Jeannette]

This is an amazing tutorial! Would it be okay to feature it on my craft blog? You can check it out here: http://TheCraftyHippo.blogspot.com

[Susan]

What an excellent tutorial....fantastic idea for a baby gift. Best tutorial I've seen in a long time. Thanks so much!

[Kitty Babcock]

What a great idea and a wonderful subject. With a cute face like that it deserves to be on a piece of art. Good for a prom memory or wedding too. Super. You are so creative!