Baby Block Tutorial

Once upon a time, I had my own little handmade business that sold little iron on letters and motifs, however it turns out I wasn't terribly passionate about it, and I discovered I would much prefer to make things for family and friends than try and sell my wares.

To promote my Iron On Doodahs, my Mum did this nifty little tutorial to make a soft baby block. These make great little baby shower gifts and are perfect for using up scraps. Make one, make enough to build a fort! If you do make one, I'd love for you to share.

Finished Baby Block

STEP 1: Choose a theme or colour scheme and select your fabric.

STEP 2: Cut two 4 1/2" squares of 3 fabrics if you wish opposite sides to match. OR Cut one 4 1/2" square of 6 fabrics if you wish all sides to be different.

Steps 1 & 2 Colour Scheme and Squares

STEP 3: Iron on letters or motif's to your chosen squares. You can blanket stitch around these to make them more secure.

Step 3 Attach Motif

STEP 4: Layout your squares in the pattern you desire.

 

Step 4 Arrange as Desired

STEP 5: Ignoring the the two side squares for now. Pin and sew the four middle squares together. Use the width of your machine foot, approx 1/2" to 3/8" seams. Then press seams flat.

Step 5 Pin and Sew Seams and Iron Flat

STEP 6: Turn over to right side. Gently pinch side of the middle square matching top and bottom seam and pin at centre. Fold side square in half to find centre and pin.

Step 6 Pin Side Square

STEP 7: Match pins right side together.

Step 7 Match Pins

STEP 8: Flip over so you can see your middle row of four seams and pin from the middle as pictured.

Step 8 Turn Over and Pin

STEP 9: Start sewing at middle seam line and sew exactly to the next seam line.

Step 9 Sew Seam to Seam

STEP 10: Repeat steps 6 - 10 for opposite side of cube.

Step 10 Repeat For Other Side

STEP 11: On reverse side, sew up all edges around the middle square until you have sewn up 4 corners and have the lid remaining. Iron the seams flat as pictured.

STEP 12: Still on reverse side, sew up two sides of the lid. On the third side, sew 1/3 of the way across, lift the machine foot, leave about a 2" gap and then sew the remainder.

Step 12 On Reverse Side Sew Up Lid Leaving 2" Gap

STEP 13: Turn the cube right side out through the hole. Gently push out the corners using a rounded chopstick or pencil.

Step 13 Turn Right Side Out

STEP 14: Stuff the cube with toy filling. Then use a simple neat stitch in matching cotton to sew up the hole! And there you have it.

Step 14 Stuff & Sew

Voila! You're a Cubist!