Do you want to see how to sew a fabric ball? Look no further, I'll show you exactly how - and here you'll also find a free ball sewing pattern.
Make a perfect baby-welcoming gift in a really short time, using my free soft ball pattern. This small ball is a great project to use scrap fabrics, totally beginner-friendly, and just the right size for tiny baby hands to grab and play with!
Table Of Contents
Why You'll Love These Easy DIY Baby Toys
These patchwork baby ball toys are great as thoughtful diy birthday gifts, or simply as cute diy toys your kids will love to play with, day after day. They are sooo easy to sew!
I included lots of photos to make it super easy for you to sew a handmade gift to a special baby in your life - it's a perfect beginner sewing project. And shhh - you can use the same template to make this beautiful fall decor for your home, so it's a two-in-one.
Looking for more baby sewing ideas? I've released this baby sewing course. Currently, you can join for free!
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Now, onto sewing fabric balls. They're a baby favorite and make perfect, personalized baby gifts. I've made them myself, and they're always a hit. And did I mention there is a free pattern to sew a ball waiting for you?
Supplies
You can make this cute fabric ball even if you are new to sewing. You'll need:
- 5 pieces of 6x3 inch cotton fabric (use scraps or check out these cute baby prints!)
- optional: pieces of satin ribbon to make loops
- some soft toy stuffing material
- sewing machine, scissors, thread
- pins
- free ball sewing pattern - see Step 1 of the tutorial below to get the free fabric ball pattern
How To Sew a Ball Tutorial
I usually use a ¼" seam allowance here (=approximately 7 mm in metric), which is standard for soft toys.
Step 1 - Print The Free Fabric Ball Template
I've created a simple fabric ball template that you can download for free. To download the FREE ball TEMPLATE, click the button below:
OR do you want a printable copy of the WHOLE tutorial? Scroll to the bottom of this tutorial for more details!
Step 2 - Cut Your Fabric Pieces
Use the PDF pattern to cut 5 pieces for the soft baby ball. Also cut several pieces of ribbon, each 2 inches (5 cm) in length. Arrange the individual leaves for sewing.
Step 3 - Sew The First 2 Pieces Together
Put the first two pieces with right sides of fabric together. Fold a ribbon in half and pin it between the two leaves. Note: the loop of the ribbon should be facing inwards (see the photo below).
Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew along one entire side of the piece and leave the other side open. Assembly will be easier if you don't stitch entirely to the end - stop at ¼" before the end of the edge:
Step 4 - Add the Remaining Pieces
Add individual leaves as you sew, each time adding a satin-like ribbon (folded in half and facing inwards, as mentioned above). Each time you add a leaf, just sew along one side, as shown in the photos below.
TOP TIP: babies will tug on the ribbon bits. As I wanted to make sure the pieces are secure and won't come off, I sewed each seam twice.
Once the 5th fabric piece has been attached, you'll need to stitch it together with the 1st leaf, but not entirely. Leave an opening for stuffing.
Step 5 - Turn Right Side Out
Turn the fabric ball right side out, then stuff it with some soft material.
Step 6 - Stuff and Close the Gap
And now we're nearly at the end of this How To Make a Fabric Ball tutorial. The only step left is to add poly-fil or other soft stuffing material and close the opening.
I just topstitched over the opening using the sewing machine, but this ladder stitch tutorial shows you how to make the seam invisible.
Variations - Add a Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch to your homemade fabric ball makes it extra special for a baby. Here's how you can easily personalize it:
- Add Embroidery: Before you assemble your fabric ball, use embroidery thread to stitch the baby's name or initials on one of the panels.
- Add appliqué: Get creative and see how to applique. Cut out shapes like stars, hearts, or animals, and sew them onto the fabric. These little decorative elements make the ball more engaging for babies.
- Add texture: Add ribbons or textured fabric to some parts of the ball. Babies love different textures, and these make the ball more fun to play with.
Soooo, your soft and cuddly fabric ball is ready for playing. Happy gift giving!
Questions from readers - answered!
Depends on the stuffing you use. I always make these soft balls with washable stuffing. A project stuffed with 100% polyester fiberfill can be washed although the fiberfill may shift.
Use a small bag and fill it with a handful of rice, sand, or beans, then make a secure knot to close it. Insert it into the semi-finished fabric ball hull instead of the poly-fil (see step 5 of the tutorial above)
So, are you ready? If you liked this sew a ball pattern, make one as a baby welcoming gift, as a birthday gift, or simply a playful diy toy your kids will love to play with, day after day.
More to sew:
This post is part of the FREE BABY SEWING PATTERNS series on this blog. Make sure to grab ALL of the free baby sewing patterns on this site:
While sewing, make a matching baby earwarmer headband for a perfect 2-in-1 gift! Get my free 3-size version (baby to 1 year) when you join our mailing list here, or grab the 8-size PDF pattern (baby to adult) in the shop, complete with instructions for easy sewing.
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Ocotilla says
I'm making one for my mother-in-law who is recovering from a stroke that is
affecting her right side.
becky says
My seams get all skewed as I add leaves. What's the trick to keeping them straight?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi Becky,does it help if you pin two leaves together (RST) before stitching?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Depends on the stuffing you use. I always make these soft balls with washable stuffing. Thanks for dropping by,
Julia says
Made one of these for my one year old niece today and she loved it! Tutorial was so easy to follow, went from finding this page to finished toy in less than an hour 🙂
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Julia, so happy to hear that! This is why the tutorial was made. Happy sewing! Damjana
Natashalh says
Very fun! A lot of my friends have new babies or are expecting. This would make a great gift!
Damjana says
Thanks, Natasha. Then you better get your sewing machine ready, babies love this soft and cuddly toy. Thanks for visiting 🙂