Baby Ball Softie Tutorial

This baby ball softie tutorial is a great stash buster and easy gift to make. Sometimes the simplest toys are the most amusing. Included inside the toy is a little jingle bell to add interest to the handmade baby toy. These softie toys can be made from a variety of fabrics. In the tutorial I use cotton, but fleece, minky, and jersey knit are just some of the options that will work. This cute toy tutorial has two template sizes and are beginner sewist friendly.

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Materials to create a baby ball softie:

  • Scraps that fit the pattern (I used Daysail by Bonnie and Camille for Moda)
  • Printable template: Baby Ball Pattern
  • Jingle bell
  • Poly Fill
  • Your sewing machine. I sew on  a BERNINA 1001 (that I’ve loved for over a quarter of a century). The current equivalent is a BERNINA 1008.

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Seam allowances are .25″

Step 1

Cut out 6 of the provided template, lay out the pieces in the order you would like to sew them in.

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Step 2

Begin to sew the sections together. After sewing the seam, snip notches into the seam, being careful to not to snip the stitches.  

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 Continue to add sections and snip notches. When sewing the last seam, leave a 1 ½ inch opening for turning.

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Tip:  When sewing softie toys use a shorter stitch length so the stitches can take the stress of stuffing and so the filing won’t leak between the stitches.

Step 3

Turn the ball right side out.

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Stuff with poly fill—when you’ve stuffed it about halfway—lace a jingle bell inside the ball.

baby-ball_0056  Continue to stuff until filled and firm.

Step 4

Hand sew the gap shut using small stitches. You’ve completed your baby ball softie toy.

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Tip: You can mix fabric textures to make it more fun and interesting. You can also add ribbon to the seems to make it a “taggie” toy.

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2 comments on “Baby Ball Softie Tutorial”

  • Have you tested the ball with the bell? I have tried to make other rattles with a bell. I felt the child could bite down on the bell and get injured. I have bought the plastic inserts but have not used them yet. Is this ball big enough so the child will not bite down on it and find the insert?

    thank-you Donna

  • I have made these before. I have put cat toys with the little ball that is in a little plastic ‘cage.’ It’s small and keep the bell free to ring. Works great.

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