Make Quirky, Colorful Cloth Baby Rattles

My daughter is a new mother, and offers lots of crafty baby inspiration. I asked her for a fresh idea, and the next day when her brain got over the previous night's lack of sleep, she said "rattles." She was shaking a small empty, plastic container at the time, and started talking about beads. I got the message: baby rattles. Challenge accepted, I decided.

My daughter and her husband are the greenest people I know. The baby rattles they buy are part rattle and part toy. They're quirky, colorful, washable and so expensive. They might have a little plastic noise-maker inside, but anything baby touches has to be 100 percent wood or fabric. I decided I could do a simpler version; so I took my daughter's little container and raided my craft stash when I got home. I made my 4 strange little rattles without buying a thing. You can make one in about 45 minutes.

You'll need the following:

• A small plastic container with lid for each rattle: I used a small bottle and bead containers (see photos)
• Beads that have an interesting sound when rattled inside your little container.
• Fabric remnants: I used terrycloth, felt and organic cotton pieces, each no larger than 16 by 5 inches.
• Stuffing: I used bamboo for the soft, silky feel. You can use any stuffing you choose.
• Thread
• Clear packing tape
• Sewing machine
• Sewing needles
• Scissors
  
• Stitch ripper

Make a pattern

I followed the same techniques as in Create a Stuffed Toy From Your Child's Drawing. For my rattle patterns I drew a star, a cat and two odd creatures that could have come from outer space.

Create your rattles

• Fold fabric right sides facing each other.
• Pin your pattern to the fabric.
• Cut two pieces.
• Stitch mouth, eyes or other details you want on the right side.
  
• Sew pieces together.
• Iron seams.
• Use stitch ripper to cut open 2 inches of seam
• If cutting a circular rattle, stitch inside the circle and out; then cut through the bottom of the circle to turn. (see photo)
• Turn pieces right side out through the 2 inch opening.
• Use the tip of closed scissors or other implement to push stuffing into narrow areas.

Make your noise-maker

• Place 3 to 4 beads inside your plastic container.
• Seal shut with packing tape.
• Insert noise-maker inside your rattle.
• Continue stuffing rattle until the the entire rattle is firm.
• Hand stitch open seams and shake.
  

Fabric rattles are so simple you'll wonder why they cost so much in the store. You can add trim to personalize them with your very own crafty style. When decorating your crafty rattles make sure you add trim a baby can't pull off and swallow. Here are a few things to try:

• Add satin ribbon tabs: Babies really love them.
• Make an arm band rattle to Velcro onto baby's forearm.
• Make an animal with dangly feet or hands
• Use a mix of bright colors

Source: My daughter's sleepy mommy brain