BABY BLOCKS

Soft, washable fabric baby blocks have no sharp corners to hurt the baby and can be used in many ways.  You can use cotton duck fabric, upholstery fabric or "oil" cloth, which is similar to what table cloths are made out of, or simply use assorted colors of scrap fabric in your sewing room.

Materials Needed:

1/4 Yd each of 6 colors of fabric

1 Skein variegated yarn

Poly fiberfill stuffing

Using a yardstick, measure the fabric pieces into 3" strips and cut the strips.  Next, divide the strips into 3" square and cut.  (Since each block takes only 6 squares, you'll have enough blocks to make several "sets" of blocks.

(1) Using the blanket stitch, stitch two of the blocks together, making the stitches close together.

(2)  Use one of the sewn squares as a "center" square or bottom of the block, then stitch three more squares on the other sides to form a cross.

(3)  Bring each of the "sides" up and stitch the edges to form the outside of the block.  The last fabric square will be attached at the top to complete the block.

Stitch along two sides, leaving two seams open in order to stuff the block.  Stuff the block firmly with the poly fiberfill then stitch the other two sides closed, and fasten the yarn securely so it will not come unstitched.

The blocks could be made with embroidered designs on some squares and numbers on other squares.  In addition, a complete set of "alphabet" blocks could be made.  A "set" of blocks could be six to the set or ten or twelve, or as mentioned previously, a complete set of 26 blocks for the alphabet.

These blocks make very good shower gifts or just to make for your own child.