Baby Soft Block Toy Tutorial

I have made a few of these over the last couple of years. It's a fun, easy toy to make for your baby, or for a gift for a friend's new baby, such as the one that is featured in this post. My best friend from high school just had her first baby last month and her baby shower is next week. I decided to make my her and her new baby girl something fun to grow on. Thus this tutorial.

What you will need:

• Enough fabric to make 6 squares of equal size. (For this block, I used 6"x6" squares, but you can go as small as 4"x4" and as large as maybe 7"x7", although that would be pretty big for a small baby.) I used left over flannel fabric from the fitted crib sheet I made for her, as well as some pink minky for the top and bottom. You can use any assorted type of fabric and texture to make it more fun for the baby to feel and chew on.

• Fabric marking pen or pencil.
•  Sewing machine
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle and thread for slip stitching.
• Assorted ribbon
• Bells (I believe I used 3 or 4 as I only had small ones and my block was larger)
• Two plastic grocery bags.

• Fiber fill

Alrighty, let's get started!

Six squares of equal length.

On the back of each square, mark 1/4" in each corner using a marking pen or pencil. This step is very important.

Sew four of the squares together, sewing right sides together starting and ending at the 1/4" marks made in the step above. If you would like to add ribbon, instructions are below.

Cut ribbon 2- 1/2" in length, however many you choose to use on your block.

Fold ribbon in half, raw edges together, then place raw edges to raw edge of fabric, folded sided toward center of square. Baste at 1/8".

After basting each ribbon piece, sew 4 squares together, making a circle.

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Pin one of the remaining squares to one edge of the newly created circle, right sides together. Stitch starting at the 1/4" mark and sew to the next mark. Stop.

With needle down, lift the presser foot and pivot the main fabric, pulling up the next side of the top piece. Drop the presser foot and sew to the next 1/4" mark. Repeat until you have sewn all 4 sides together.

Repeat with the bottom portion of the block, sewing 3-3/4 sides of the block, pivoting at the 1/4" marks.

When you have sewn all but the last couple of inches, turn the block right side out.

Stuff the block with plastic bag and fiber fill. I find it works best to spread the plastic bag around the outside of the block. This makes a crinkly sound/texture.

My block was large enough that I used an additional bag after stuffing the block.

Next, add your bells. Push them to the center of the block. I used 3 or 4 small bells. You may only need one or two larger bells. Start with one, shake the block, then add more if you want.

Once you have the block stuffed, slip stitch the opening closed.

You are now finished with your block!