A while ago I promised a tutorial for my set of handmade vintage style fabric skittles and I'm pleased to say it is now done for you. I thought this might be a cute little project for a handmade Christmas Gift for a child.
If anything isn't clear, please let me know and if you make a set of these please do send me a link or picture - I love to see everyone's fabric choices :)
This is also the method I use for making bolster cushions etc, basically anything which is a cylindrical shape, just change the size and proportions to suit your project.
For each skittle cut a piece of fabric measuring 20 cm in height by 16 cm in width and two circles 5 cm in diameter.
Download skittlestemplates.pdf
To make a set of six skittles, you will need to cut 6 of the rectangles - I used three different prints for my set, all from the Alexander Henry Sage Glen Kids range - sadly now discontinued.
You need to cut 12 of the 5 cm diameter circles - I like to use corduroy for my circles as it gives a bit of grip when you stand the skittles.
Fold under and press approx 0.5 cm along each of the long sides - this helps with your starting and stopping points plus makes it easier when you come to slip stitch your skittle closed.
On the wrong side of one of your circles, mark a dot approx 0.5 cm in and then place the circle, right sides facing, onto the rectangle - lining the dot along the fold and the edge of the circle with the top (shorter) edge of the rectangle so that when you start to sew from the dot you are approx 0.5 cm from the top (shorter) edge of the rectangle.
Now sew your circle to the rectangle, insert the needle into the dot and it should be on the fold you made earlier. Keep the outer edge of the circle aligned with the edge of the rectangle, every 5 or 6 stitches, I stop, insert the needle, lift the presser foot and turn the circle to align with the edges again, lower the presser foot and continue - just go slowly and you will be fine.
You should end up on the fold on the opposite side of the rectangle. At the starting and stopping points backstitch a little to secure the stitches.
Repeat at the other end with another circle.
Now you are going to stitch the 2 long sides together (right sides facing and use the groove of the folds you pressed earlier). Leave a gap of approx 5 cm or so in the middle so that you can turn it right side out - again backstitch at your starting and stopping points to secure your stitches.
Now turn right side out and gently run your finger along the seams from the inside to gently press them open a little.
Fill the bottom of the skittle - about 5 cm or so, with dried rice to give it some weight which will help the skittle stand upright and then fill the rest with polyfill or similar. Slip stitch the opening closed and then tie a fabric tie or piece of scrap fabric - I just literally cut a rectangle, folded and pressed in the sides and pinking sheared the ends and tied it around the top of the skittle to form the head shape.
Now onto the fabric ball:
Cut 6 of these shapes from your chosen fabrics, again I used 3 different prints.
Unfortunately my scanner has died on me so I can't give you a template for this shape at the moment I'm afraid. I made my own template out of card - top to bottom is 12 cm and the width is 5 cm at the widest point. I just drew a line 12 cm long and at the halfway point drew a line 2.5 cm in length at a right angle. I then drew a freehand curve to join the 3 points together, cut it out and placed my template on the folded edge of my layered fabric - that way I didn't have to worry about the edges not matching up if I tried to draw the whole shape freehand.
Mark a dot at the two outer points approx 0.5 cm in from the edge on the wrong side of the fabric and sew (right sides facing) following the line of the curve. I don't bother pinning the two pieces together but just press lightly with an iron which help hold them together whilst I stitch. As always, backstitch to secure at your starting and stopping points.
In the same way, stitch another piece onto one of the first two pieces.
Now you have one half of your ball.
Repeat with the other 3 pieces so that you now have two separate halves of a ball.
Join the two halves together, right sides facing and leave a gap in the middle of one edge to enable you to turn
the ball right side out. Press the edges open to help you slip stitch it later.
Turn through, stuff - I make a little bag of rice to slip in the centre to give the ball a bit of weight and then surround that with polyfill. Slip stitch closed and you're all done!
Thank you so much for making this tutorial! I want to make a set for my son for Christmas!
Posted by: Tine | Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 05:25 AM
I've been trying NOT to use the C word..but these are superb. Perfect for christmas presents. Absolutely fabulous!
Thankyou for the inspiration and taking the brain ache away with the tutorial.
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 04:17 PM
Ooooh fabulous! I'm trying to think who I can make it for now :)
Posted by: Lynsey | Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 10:19 PM
THANKS SO MUCH......an other gift for my birthday'son ....cool..
Posted by: emma'sfamily | Wednesday, 24 September 2008 at 10:46 AM
OOh!! I have so been waiting for this tutorial!! I love love love them! I'll send you pics when I get some made! Thanks so much for your generosity!
Posted by: Shayla | Thursday, 25 September 2008 at 02:02 AM
What a great little tutorial... Can't wait to give it a go. :)
Posted by: Jodie | Thursday, 25 September 2008 at 03:22 AM
I can not wait to make this. My boys would love it!!! How fun! Thanks for showing me how easy it is!
Posted by: Tiff@Three Peas | Thursday, 25 September 2008 at 06:29 PM
I can't wait to give this a try. I think it may turn into a Christmas gift too
Posted by: Casey | Sunday, 28 September 2008 at 05:23 PM
What a lovely idea and what a lovely blog! I just found you through sewmamasew and I'll definitely be stopping by again.
Posted by: Danielle | Friday, 17 October 2008 at 01:49 PM
What a lovely idea and what a lovely blog! I just found you through sewmamasew and I'll definitely be stopping by again.
Posted by: Danielle | Friday, 17 October 2008 at 01:50 PM
how could my school be a part of this wonderful work......? for information about the school go to our web. www.vaafd.com or type carolyn a. miller elementary school.
Posted by: andrew sahr anderson | Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 09:33 AM
how could my school be a part of this wonderful work......? for information about the school go to our web. www.vaafd.com or type carolyn a. miller elementary school.
Posted by: andrew sahr anderson | Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 09:35 AM
Beautiful. Love the fabric.
Posted by: Marina Starcke | Tuesday, 20 January 2009 at 09:27 AM
Just what I was looking for!!
My son is 4 and there's no way i'm brave enough to have anything but soft stuff flying round my house!!! hehe
Great tutorial, even I can follow it and i'm a total amateur at sewing! :)
Debs
Posted by: Debs | Wednesday, 04 March 2009 at 05:48 PM
This is a fantastic tute. I've had it marked for a while, but never knew when to make it. Gramma bought my son a plastic bowling set. I cannot take the banging of the pins together anymore or worry about him throwing them into the TV. I think the moment has arrived. I am going to try and make them in the next few days!
Posted by: April | Sunday, 08 March 2009 at 12:03 AM
Well I managed to sew one peg thing and the ball. But um, the ball looks a lot more like an heirloom tomato than a ball. Is there anyway you can post the template for the ball? Thanks so much.
Posted by: April | Monday, 09 March 2009 at 03:15 AM
WONDERFUL tutorial! THANKS! i just finished making mine this weekend. feel free to check them out at http://jarenandkathryngilbert.blogspot.com
Posted by: kathryn gilbert | Tuesday, 26 May 2009 at 02:42 PM