Creating a Fabric Jingle Square for Baby

If you or someone in your life has a new baby and you would like to craft something special for him or her, but are not overly experienced in crafting, here is a very simple project you can create from scratch that will be memorable and unique. It is also a present that baby is sure to love.

What you will be creating is a soft square fabric toy that makes noise when jiggled. This is a great gift idea because even very young babies can enjoy it and it is not hard to do. First you will need to gather your supplies. You need:

Enough fabric to make six sides of the square (the size being your choice...usually six, nine, or twelve inches each). You can get all one color, all different colors, team colors (if mom or dad like a particular sports team), colors to match the baby's nursery, or any other colors you so choose. I recommend getting three coordinating fabrics because babies love color contrast. Bright colors work best because they really grab baby's attention. One yard of each should be the perfect amount, but you can adjust it to the size you are making.

Scissors

Thread

Needle

Measuring tape

Polyester Filling

Large noise makers, such as jingle bells, to put inside of the ball.

You will also need an iron to press your seams.

A sewing machine if you are going to be sewing squares together this way, or you can hand sew them with needle and thread, if you prefer.

The first step is to cut six squares in the size you chose to make them. If you are contrasting colors, use two squares of each of the three colors chosen.

Lay four squares in a vertical line.

Lay one square on each side of the second-to-last square in your vertical line (this will give you a three-square line crossing the bottom of your vertical line, like an upside down small "t").

Sew together the three squares that are making the horizontal line (from the step above) with right sides facing each other. Carefully press your seams open and flat with your iron.

Next, sew together the top two squares that comprised the top part of your original vertical line, right sides facing each other. Carefully press your seams open and flat with your iron.

Now put all squares back in their original position (creating the upside down small "t" again).

Sew the remaining square (the bottom piece of the vertical line) to the square directly above it, right sides together. Carefully press your seam open and flat with your iron.

Sew the top two squares of your vertical line (which are now sewn together) to the middle square of the horizontal piece, right sides together. Carefully press your seam open and flat with your iron.

You now have sewn together the "small t" that you created with your pattern layout.

The next step is to pin together all pieces but your top square, right sides facing each other and sew them in place. Carefully press your seams open and flat with your iron.

Pin the remaining square down, leaving a good sized opening (this is where you will enter your filling to stuff the square). Sew what will not be left open for stuffing.

If you have excess seam allowance, you can trim and press now.

Turn the project right side out.

Stuff the block with your filling.

Add the jingle bells or other noise makers to the center of the filling.

Close your opening by sewing over the fabric edge (or whipstitching).

You have now finished your jingle square. If you want to make blocks for baby to play with simply repeat the process until you have as many squares as you would like.