How to make Felt Strawberries

We have been working on our Felt Fruit Sorter Project and we did the Banana last week and this week we are doing the Strawberries!

Materials:
red felt
Green felt
scrap paper to make a pattern
scissors
Needle and thread
Stuffing (not pictured)
Sewing machine (optional)


1. Make a pattern. I drew the strawberry patterns but folding a piece of paper in half and cutting out a heart shape (but flat on the top). the tops I just drew a burst shape that was bigger that the top of each heart. You can also use my patterns below. (Just click on each picture and it will bring up another screen with the full size)

2. Cut out your patterns. Fold the RED felt in half and pin the Strawberry patterns to it. you DO NOT need to fold the green felt, Pin the top patterns to it.


3. Cut out the shapes.

4. Add the detail of the seeds to the strawberries. I hand stitched using regular thread that I doubled over. You could use embroidery thread too (I just do not have any and did not want to buy some) I just sew a random pattern trying to keep the seed line about the same size. They do not have to be perfect because in nature the seeds are not all the same size. Also you do not have to go all the way to the sides or the top, since we are going to be sewing the pieces together.

Sew on all 4 pieces of the strawberries.

5. With right sides together sew the two sides of the strawberries together, leaving the top open to stuff.

6. Flip right side out


7. Stuff with stuffing! (I use stuffing from an old pillow.)

8. I hand sew on the top piece. I make big stitches around the top.


When I get around the whole strawberry...

I pull on the thread to gather the top a bit.

I sew around again and pull again... and than I tie it off under the green top to hide the knot.

Now you have some cute strawberries even Strawberries Shortcake would be jealous of!

I am going to make two more (One of each size to add to my four bananas).

Next week are Orange slices... these are a bit tricky- But I think we can do it together!

Have you made any of the felt fruit? I would love to link to your project! Let me know in the comments and leave your blog URL and I will link inside this post!

How to Make a Felt Banana

We are starting our Felt Fruit Sorting project! First up: Banana!

Materials:
Yellow Felt
Cream Felt
Thread (I use white)
Stuffing (Mine comes from an old pillow)
Scrap paper (for pattern)
Velcro (optional)
Sewing machine (Optional)

1.) on paper draw a banana shape and a peel shape pattern and cut them out. Mine are below, if you want to use them.

2.) Fold your felt over so that there are two layers. Pin your pattern to the felt (make sure it goes though both layers)

3.) Cut out your shapes.

4.) Sew around the outside of the banana- leaving a 2-3 inch opening so that you can flip and stuff.

5.)Flip the banana right side out. I use the eraser end of a pencil to help out.

6.) stuff the banana with desired stuffing. I use the eraser end of the pencil to help with this too.

7.)Top stitch you opening closed.

8.) cut off extra felt around the stitches for a clean finish.

9.) Sew the two peel pieces together leaving the top open so that you can "peel" open the banana.

10.) Flip right side out.

11.) Cut off loose threads and put the banana inside!

How cool is it that the banana come out!

Optional:

Sew on Velcro to the peel so, you can close it. The felt does stick to itself so this is not necessary.

I am going to make four banana's for the basket! But, now that you know how, you can make as many as you want!

Next week: Strawberries!

Felt Fruit Sorter Project!

These sorting fruit baskets are discontinued. It is the inspiration to what I want to make for one of my son's Christmas gifts this year. Even if it was not discontinued, I would probably make it anyway, because I am cheap like that!

Not only are these sorting fruit baskets cute, they can be used educationally too. They can help teach fruits, colors, sorting, counting and patterns. All while your little one thinks that they are playing! How much fun is that!

I am going to start a series of tutorials on how to make these fruit baskets for your kids or nieces or nephews. I am going to make bananas, strawberries, apples, oranges, (maybe a kiwi and a pear), and also the baskets. I am also hoping that my hubby will help make a little shelf to keep them on, or I might just get a tote to keep them in.

Be be sure to join us here on Mondays for this project series! If you want to start getting some materials here is a list of what you will need to start:

Felt in the following colors: yellow, cream, white, green, red, orange, and brown.

Thread- I use white

Sewing machine (optional -> you can hand sew these as well)

needle and thread to hand sew some details.

The first fruit we are going make is the banana! It is probably the easiest and the cutest!

I would love to see your progress as we make these. Let me know if you are following along, post about this on your blog I would love to link to you weekly! Wont this be so much fun!?!

Edited: We have already started this project and we have made:
Bananas
Strawberries
Orange Wedges
Apple Wedges