Baby Blocks Tutorial August 7, 2011 – Posted in: Sewing, Tutorials

One of the things I love the most about being able to sew, is being able to make just about whatever I want. One of my favorite things to create is unique and personalized baby gifts. Last year I made this one for a friend to give to a friend of hers.

The blocks were a huge hit!

                          

So this year, I got another request for baby blocks—this time for a baby girl.

I got to choose the fabric for these, and I really love all the pinks together.

As I made them, I took pictures so I could share the very easy process of making these adorable little blocks!

You’ll need:
-assortment of fabrics, six 5″ squares per block
-scrap pieces of fabric for applique
-polyfil

To start, choose your fabrics. I’ve had these forever and love them so much!

Cut 6 for each block you’re making and arrange them in an order you like. I didn’t want to have any 2 blocks exactly the same.

Then lay them out. I don’t want any of the same pattern to be next to each other so I like to get them all in order before I begin sewing.

                          

Then to mix up the way they’re arranged, I lay out my applique letters and make sure I like the order they’re in.

Whew! That’s a lot of planning! But it really helps to be on top of it like that to avoid mistakes later.

Then I applique my letters to each designated square.

And I’m ready to start assembling! I lay them on the floor next to my machine in the “right” order.

                          

To begin, I sew the middle 4 squares together using 3/8″ seam allowance, then press my seams open.

Then attach the blocks on either side of the appliqued one. When you attach them, only sew them to the one square, not end to end.

Then you’re going to start attaching your sides.

I always do mine in the same order, but it’s totally a personal preference. To sew the sides together, just match them up along the straight edge and sew with right sides together. Remember we’re using a 3/8″ seam allowance so you’ll want to start and stop 3/8″ from each edge.

Then attach the next 2 sides.

And continue around the block.

When you get to the last side, you’ll need to leave a hole to turn the block through and stuff.

I start at the edge, sew about 1/3 of the way across and backstitch, then lift my presser foot and move about 2″, then sew and backstitch and continue to the other side.

Then I simply clip the threads and have an easy opening!

Turn the block through the hole, poke the corners out with a chop stick or pencil, and stuff!

Whipstitch the holes closed and you’re done! Easy as pie baby gift!