The new craze of Pokemon Go brings even more of a demand for all-things-Pokemon than ever before! My kids are talking about it non-stop and it's even all over the news. So if you are in on Pokemon Go, or even just want to be the hero of kids who are, you've come to the right place. Today you get to learn how to create a fabric Pokeball!
To say my kids love the this Pokeball would be a major understatement. They haven't left my side the entire time I've been making it. (In case you don't know, a Pokeball is used to catch Pokemon. Totally important.) And my kiddos are still sitting right by me, waiting for me to say it's okay to steal it. Almost there, guys.
What I love about this Pokeball is that it uses real fabric and has sturdy construction. It doesn't just look great -- it's totally throw-able and play-able. It uses fabric panels for the ball itself and then a white and black button for the front. And it's pretty easy to make because I did all the math for you! Are you ready to get started?
SUPPLIES
Red, white, and black fabric scraps -- or 1/8 yard of each
Polyfil or other batting
One black button approx 1" wide
One white button approx 3/8" wide
Cut out the fabric using the instructions on each pattern piece. You should end up with six red pieces, six white pieces, and one black piece.
Place two of the white pieces right sides together. Starting 1/4" down from the top point of the fabric, sew down one curve using a 1/4" seam allowance. See red in photo above.
Open up the pieces you just sewed. Then take a third piece and match its side curve to one of the previous pieces, with right sides together. Starting 1/4" down from the top point of the fabric, sew down one curve using a 1/4" seam allowance. See red in photo above.
Repeat with the other three white pieces.
You should now have two ball parts, as shown above.
Put the two parts right side together and match their top curves. Sew them together from one side to the other using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Open it up and turn it right side out. The white half of your ball is now complete!
Repeat all of the previous steps with your red fabric. It is a good idea to use red thread with the red fabric. When you're done, your ball pieces should look like the photo above.
Take the black piece and fold it in half widthwise, with right sides together. Sew the end together using a 1/4" seam allowance. It should now be a single loop.
Take the loop and match it to the top edges of the red ball piece, with right sides together. Pin in place all around the edges. Then sew the pinned edges all the way around using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Turn the red/black ball piece wrong side out with the black extended, so it looks like the photo above.
With the white ball piece still right side out, slide it down into the red/black piece. The pieces should now be right sides together, with the white nested inside the red/black piece. Pin the raw edges of the white to the outermost raw edges of the black, all around the ball, matching up the seams as you go.
Sew all around the pinned edge using a 1/4" seam allowance, being sure to leave a 2" opening, as shown in red above.
Check to make sure there is a good opening, as shown in the photo above.
Then use the opening to turn the ball right side out.
After you turn the ball right side out it will look pretty limp and uneven, but I promise it will look much better after you stuff it! But first, it's time to sew on the buttons. This is easiest done by hand with a needle and thread. (If you need help, click here for a blog post on that topic.) Start with the knot on the inside of the ball, sew up through the center of the black fabric, and put the needle through both buttons at the same time. Be sure to put the white button on top, as shown above. Then sew the buttons down securely in place, in the center of the black stripe.
It's looking pretty awesome!
Now you're ready to stuff the ball. It's best to put small pieces at a time and you really want to cram as much in there as possible, to give it that round, even shape.
Use your needle and thread to sew the opening closed. You can make hidden stitches if you want -- I made mine to be visible for the tutorial. Plus it's faster this way if you don't mind them showing.
Ta-da! You are finished! Now all that's left to do is play with it... or pass it on to somebody else who has been dying to throw one in real life.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you did, be sure to check out our other free tutorials here on the blog, plus we also have some pretty amazing sewing patterns for all sizes, styles, and genders.
Now go on and have some fun making Pokeballs!
Let's Create! ~ Kristen
