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Plush Alphabet

Looking for the Dread post? Go HERE.

This was a fun little "side" project for me. I usually make a "to-make" list for all gifts throughout the year (yay! I'm already into May! But ask me again in July....) and then a side "for fun" list of things I either want to make for myself or specifically for my kids. When you make so many things for others, it gets hard to set aside time to make things for yourself, and this was one of those side projects.

I first saw the idea in one of my favorite sewing (for children) books, Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby. She has perfect style in my opinion, not cluttered, very Scandinavian inspired, yet modern with a nature/life inspiration. I love her books, and immediately wanted to try this project. I never really follow instructions from craft books, I just eyeball it and make it up as I go. Although, I've never tried to make clothes (another of my goals for 2010!!!) and with that I'm sure I will have to be more rigid. I loved how these turned out!

Here is the basket with the finished plush letters, (I made an extra K & A for the kids' names) and they've been happily "spelling" with them when they are out. You can make them smaller and attach magnets inside for a fun fridge speller, or make them larger and just spell out a word for a bedroom wall. They are versatile, and very 're purposed' as I only used scraps for this project, minus 1 letter!

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If you make these, just cut out the letter, sew it up with a hole, stuff, sew up, and pink the ends. Super easy, BUT take these tips I learned: Make them with solid or NOT bold prints. My basket is a bit too busy, and I think it's too much for kids when they are just trying to focus on the letter and spell something. The busyness distracts from the game. I also didn't color coordinate them well, and although they are cute together, I wish I would have made them a bit more, just for clarity sake. Make them at LEAST 8 inches long and 5 inches wide. I made mine about 6 1/2 X 4 and they were a bit difficult to sew up after stuffing. I also think that the bigger the letters, the easier for the small child.

This also would make a great gift for another child, and with an added tote-bag I made that says "ABC Soup", the perfect gift under $10!

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Comments

{eleise} said…
ooo how great! What a great way for kids to learn their letters!
February 21, 2010 at 3:27 PM
M.M.E. said…
That is such a great project! I'm very impressed with your skills. I can't sew other than hemming my pants (I'm only 5'1").
February 21, 2010 at 5:36 PM
kylee said…
So cute! I will have to make these as soon as I have time for a "for fun" list. Hopefully that happens before she already knows how to spell. :)
February 22, 2010 at 11:32 AM
StephG said…
Those letters are awesome, S! I'm sure the kids will have fun playing with them.
February 26, 2010 at 7:20 AM
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