"How I make a Baby Block tutorial."

 Hello,

The Christmas gift making is continuing. I wanted to use up some foam I had leftover from making Jacob a baby block last year. That  block is still being used but I thought Jude could have a new one for Christmas.

The foam I had on hand was 2 inches thick and I cut  two 4 inch squares.  I used my electric knife for cutting the foam. The fabric was cut into 4.5 inches square. A total of 6 bright happy prints are required.

Sew 4 of the strips in one long row using a 1/4 inch seam. It is best to stop and start 1/4 inch from the beginning and the end of the fabric when sewing the pieces together. This makes for perfect joins at the corners. I used my Purple Thang to help with this measurement, or you can use the measurements on your sewing machine. I then pressed the seams open on the 4 squares . Now you join the final two squares to the second block, making sure you centre them. You will end up with a long cross.

The next step it to sew the fabrics into a square box shape.At this stage you will have one piece of fabric that is only joined by one side. I put the foam in to the box shape so you can see what it will look like at this stage.

Then you sew the final two sides of the top fabric to the box shape, You will be left with a opening on the top to  put the foam pieces in.

Hand sew the opening with matching thread.
Of course you can use a full piece of foam if you have thicker foam but it is so much easier to add the foam in two pieces. If your local craft store doesn't have foam you could try an upholsterer.

These foam baby blocks have been one of my go to baby presents for many years. Let me know if you make one.  Do you have a favourite present you love making. I would love to hear about it.

Happy days.
Bev C