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here is the simplified version of how i put my whimsie balls together......first a few concerns. if you are making these for childrens toys--it should go w/o saying but you can never be too careful---THINK about the fabrics you are using and think about what stuffing would be the SAFE-ST for a child who usually put things in their mouths!!!!!!!! another concern is that there are 36 pieces in ONE whimsie ball & a portion of it is HAND sewing. don't let this deter you from making these!!! if you have any questions, ASK!

this is what we are looking for, a wedge/orange peel sort of, shown in BLUE

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66221[/ATTACH]

you need a circle to start, anything round will do if you don't have a compass

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66682[/ATTACH]

trace circle & divide into 4 sections

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66683[/ATTACH]

one section is the pattern; think of it as a fan

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66684[/ATTACH]

cut one of your "fans" out, flip it over to trace the second edge to make your blue "wedge"

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66685[/ATTACH]

you will have two pieces, a fan section and a wedge section

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66686[/ATTACH]

sew the wedge section to the top of one of the fan sections

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66687[/ATTACH]

sew the wedge to the other section [along the curved edge]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66688[/ATTACH]

your section should now be sewn together and have 2 fan sections & a top [sewn to both bottom sections along the curve]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66689[/ATTACH]

you need two fan sections & one wedge to make one of twelve sections to make the whimsie ball

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66753[/ATTACH]

now it's time to sew bottoms together. the arrows designate direction for sewing. pivot around the corner, back tack and leave a space for turning. the next step would be to take your fabric out & start at the opposite end & sew toward the open space & back tack. Make sure you leave enough space to be able to turn the entire ball right side out!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66755[/ATTACH]

the scissors are pointing to the starting point which is most important--you don't want to catch the top fabric in your seam

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66768[/ATTACH]

think of these little 3 pc sections as an ice cream cone.... to finish an entire ball you will need twelve sections [consists of 3 pcs each] if you hold 3 sections by their points[bottom of the ice cream cone]and hand sew them together you will have one of four sections you need to make one ball! simple, right?

looks like something I want to try

Thanks for posting ! You did a GREAT job with the tute :thumbup:

Thank you very much for this great tute :D:D:D

do you have a picture of what the finished ball looks like?

I was noticing your cutting mat!!! What kind is it? I'm looking at new mats and yours caught my eye!! Sorry for the hi-jack! :-D

Love the idea. I will have to give these a try. :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbiewi

do you have a picture of what the finished ball looks like?

The ball is what is on her avatar pic... very cute :wink:

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbiewi

do you have a picture of what the finished ball looks like?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewcrafty

I was noticing your cutting mat!!! What kind is it? I'm looking at new mats and yours caught my eye!! Sorry for the hi-jack! :-D

that's ok, that mat is old, [30+]i don't think they're still available! sorry!

JUST for REFERENCE, if you are considering making these [or one]---the completed balls in the photos would fit comfortably in your hand; the pattern pieces i used were small, as in the first few photos.

However, the photos showing the pink checkered fabric that i sewed together as an example are huge & would make a ball that is HUGE [probably 3 times their size]

I think they are called clutch balls.

Thanks for posting this.. I have little grandbabies and have been looking for a pattern to make these! Your pictures and instructions are great.. I'm on my way to the sewing room!!

Thank you for posting that, may be some day I will make one for my grandchildren. God bless. Penny

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenSimon

I think they are called clutch balls.

never heard them referred to as clutch balls, but it makes sense

are you familiar with them?

Try this one:
http://sewing.about.com/od/babyshowe...s/babyball.htm
or do a google search.

cute thanks for sharing and saw the ball on your avatar!

I know that this is a really dumb question but did this tute get finished or am I stupid and don't entirely understand it ? :oops:

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenSimon

Try this one:
http://sewing.about.com/od/babyshowe...s/babyball.htm
or do a google search.

this one is a bit different. if you look closely, you can see the child's clothing through the spaces between the pieces..........

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger5464

I know that this is a really dumb question but did this tute get finished or am I stupid and don't entirely understand it ? :oops:

i had planned on showing more pix, haven't gotten back to this, if you are you making one of these & are stuck ASK AWAY

Thank you for posting the link for me :) I really appreciate it very much