Fancy Baby Blocks Tutorial

The beauty of these fabric baby blocks is that they can be made in any size with any seam allowance.  I chose my sizes to coordinate with Rae Ritchie’s Pura Vida collection, perfectly showcasing my favorite fussy-cut rainforest animals.  I paired them with some pretty solids that are “quilted” with crunchy Insul-Bright and added ribbon loops for a sound and texture babies love. Consider “quilting” yours with free-motion letters or hand-embroidery for an heirloom toy that will be passed on for generations.

Sizes: Small (Medium, Large) for Hanging Around Sloth (Sleepy Tiger, Pura Vida) prints
Finished Measurements: 2.5” square (3.5”, 4.5”)
Seam Allowance: ⅜”

Materials

¼ yd or fat quarters of several prints and solids. For each block, I used 2 prints (Fabrics A and B), and 1 solid (Fabric C)
¼ yd of Insul-Bright
Assortment of ribbons/trims
Cotton Stuffing
Rotary Cutter
Quilting Ruler
Cutting Mat
A walking foot for your machine is helpful, but is not required

Instructions

Step 1- Cut two 3.25” (4.25”, 5.25”) squares from each Fabric A, B, and C.
Step 2- Cut two 3.5” (4.5”, 5.5”) squares from the Insul-Bright.
Step 3- Cut 2-3 ribbons 3”-4” in length.

Step 4- “Quilt” the Insul-Bright squares behind Fabric C. Layer one square C on top of one Insul-Bright square with right side facing up. Sew your preferred design (using a walking foot will help!) to quilt the two together. Trim the Insul-Bright to the size of original square C. Repeat with second square C.

Step 5- Squares A and B: mark ⅜” from each corner with a water soluble marker.

Step 6- Place 1 square A on top of a quilted C square, right sides together, and pin in place along one edge.
Step 7- Sew along the edge of your A/C piece between the two marks you’ve made in Step 5.

Step 8- Place your second A square opposite your first A square on the same quilted C piece right sides together. Pin and sew in place as in Step 7.

Step 9- Repeat Steps 6-8 on the opposite sides of your quilted C piece with both B squares.

Step 10- Place your second quilted square C right sides together on the top of one of your A squares. Pin and sew between the dots.

Step 11- Fold one of your ribbons in half and line up the ends along the edge of 1 square A on the right side of the fabric. Repeat on the second square A.

Step 12- Pin and sew all A square edges to coordinating B square edges between the marked dots. Press all seams open.

Step 13- Attach the remaining three sides of the top C piece in the same manner, BUT on the last side, leave an opening at least 1.5” wide. Press a crease in the last side with the opening to assist in hand sewing later.

Step 14- While the cube is still inside-out, carefully clip each corner.

Step 15- Turn right side out.  Stuff.  Close the opening by hand-sewing with a ladder stitch.

You are finished. It's time to slip those blocks directly into the smallest hands you can find and don't forget to share your blocks with #fancybabyblocks!