Wednesday 24 July 2013

Fabric Baby Rings Tutorial

I have decided to start making a few little things for our baby to be. One item that I thought was really cute is a fabric ring stacker. I have seen these online when looking for ideas but all patterns required payment. So I decided to make my own. Below are simple instructions to make the baby rings.

You will need:
-fabric scraps
-stuffing
-paper for patterns
-protractor set (for drawing circles)
-sewing machine
-needle & thread
-wadding






Instructions:

1. Begin by drawing your pattern. For the rings, I used the protractor to draw 6 different sized circles. Their radius (half the diameter) sizes are as follows from largest to smallest:  8.5cm, 8cm, 7.5cm, 7cm, 6.5cm & 6cm. The best way to draw these is to set the protractor to that measurement and use it to complete the circle. I then used the protractor to draw the centre circle. Their measurements are as follows from largest to smallest: 2cm, 1.9cm, 1.6cm, 1.3cm, 1.2cm & 1cm. These measurements all include a 0.5cm seam allowance around the outside of the circle and on the inside circle. 
Now draw the base square. Mine was 18cm square with a 2cm radius hole in the centre (to attach the pole). The cone shaped pole in the centre of the rings was 21cm high and 17.5cm wide. You will need to curve this at the bottom to create the circular shape, making sure that the sides also measure 21cm.

Finished pattern pieces

2. Cut out the base squares, making sure to cut the centre hole into only ONE of them. Cut out the cone section. I cut these in different fabrics, but you could do them the same.

3. Sew the sides of the cone together making sure to round the top point of the cone as you sew. Insert the cone into the hole in the base square and stitch right sides together around the opening. This part is the hardest part of the whole project. Be careful not to create tucks in the base fabric while sewing. Clip the finished seam. and turn the cone the right way.

4. Cut the wadding to a square the same size as the remaining base square and attach it to the inside of the square. This wadding holds the base stiff, so make sure you use enough. Sew the two base parts, right sides together. Leave a 5cm gap through which to turn the base and stuff the cone.

5. Turn the base right side out and firmly stuff the cone with stuffing. I also added some extra stuffing to the base section to help it sit stably. Once you are happy, hand sew the opening closed.

In this image you can see the base properly.
6. Cut out two of each circle size and make sure to cut the inside circle out. Make one cut straight through the circle side to the centre.

 

7. Sew the inside seam, right sides together. 



8. Turn one end of the circle back and stitch the seam allowance down. (This makes the final step easier).



9. Sew around the outside of the circle and clip the inner seam before turning it the right way.



10. Stuff the circle until it is reasonably hard. Once the two open edges meet, pin them together with the finished edge on top. Hand stitch the opening closed. You will find that you do not need to fully stuff all the way to the ends as the doughnut shape doesn't need all the extra fabric.



 11. Put all the rings on the base and enjoy. This toy is machine washable, so it should last for a long time!



11 comments:

  1. Tanks for sharing! Great idea! Love it!

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  2. Thanks so much! This is perfect!

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  3. I want to try this. Thanks for sharing your idea with us!

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  4. This is what I have been looking for! Thanks for taking the time to make directions comprehensible. My niece will love this for her new baby.

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  5. Magnifica explicación, voy a ser abuela y le voy a preparar uno a mi nieto, muchísimas gracias, un saludo

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  6. I love this but can't make the circles...is there a pattern I can print out easily? I would like to make this fir my granddaughter Thank you.

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  7. Been trying to send a comment ..

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  8. Is the cone stuffed with fiber-fill? Is it fabric? Sewn right sides together and turned? Everything seems straight-forward except the cone.

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  9. Thank you for your detailed pattern. I have two baby showers this summer and this is exactly what I was looking for!

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