Happy Thanksgiving and Free Fabric Styrofoam Ball Pattern!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating! My favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving Day/Day after Thanksgiving is to make things! I love getting cozy at home with my yarn, fabric, fiber and lots of pumpkin pie and make all sorts of Holiday crafts.

I wanted to share this free fabric styrofoam ball pattern with you - this is something I love making, just can't make enough of them and it's easy enough to make with family (even my hubby gets in the mix and makes a few!)  You can use different colors of fabric for a harvest or holiday theme.  They can be used in the tree as ornaments by stringing ribbon in the bottom, hang them in windows, set along the mantle or placed in a bowl as table decoration.  Lots of lovely ways to use them!

Details behind the cut....

Supplies are easy, most of them you'll probably already have around the house.  You'll need -

• Fabric - your choice of colors and prints.  The amount you need depends on the size of the styrofoam balls you use and how thick you place the fabric.  My mileage is between 1/4-1/2 yard per ball.  I recommend starting with a 1/2 yard and see how much you have left and go from there.
• Rotary cutter mat, cutter and ruler
• Silver flathead pins
• Thimble
• Styrofoam/Polystyrene Balls your choice of sizes (I used 2 and 3.25 inches)

Start by cutting your fabric in 2 inch strips as shown above.

After you've cut the strips, cut each strip into 2 inch widths so you end up with 2x2inch squares

You'll have a nice pretty stack of squares!

Now, pull up a chair, put on a movie and let's get pinning!  Start by pinning a square of fabric to the top of the styrofoam ball on each of the four corners.

Now, you're going to learn how to fold the fabric squares.  Start by folding the fabric in half.

Next, fold the fabric in half again and hold it as shown above.  The open edge should be on the right and the bottom.  The top left corner should have the point.  (click to zoom in if you need to see it closer)

Now, pin.  Place the fabric on the ball covering part of the fabric square you already have.  Pin just the left hand corner with the finished point pointing up

Now, pin the second one.  You'll place a pin on the left hand side of the second square effectively pinning both sides of the first square, and the left side of the second.

You continue doing this around and around and finish the first round.

Start a second round slightly offset from the first and continue on your way, round after round.

Continue along to the bottom.  As the ball gets smaller, make the fabric squares closer and closer together.  When you get to the bottom, finish it as shown above.  A few squares stacked on top of eachother to create a finishing touch.

Voila!  You've made a fabric ball!  Gorgeous!

 

Here's a sampling of the latest balls I've completed.  Note how the changes in fabric completely change the look and feel.  Large scale prints, sparkly, leaves, trees and more.  Each one is unique and gorgeous!

Careful!  It's hard to make just one!

Happy Crafting All!

Comments

[Maria Anagnostopoulou]

Where can I buy a rotary cutter mat and a ruler like the ones shown in your picture (and a cutter). I find the rotary cutter mat and ruler very useful. I live in Greece.

[Barbara]

Try Nancy's Notions.com

[lolalasaosa@hotmail.com]

Desde España muchos saludos las bolas de piña son presiosas.
Porfa si alguna teneis bolas de passwort me podeis mandar una foto a mi correo electronico. Lolalasaosa@hotmail.com

[Clare]

I will definately be trying this very soon! Love it! It looks like lots of fun, even my daughter can make some. It's a great craft for kids who are a little older. Thanks for sharing.

Clare
http://www.claremarion.blogspot.com.au/

[Cheryl Hackett]

These are great & your info to make them very clear, thank you.

[Kathy Johnson]

Lovely, they remind me of artichokes!