How to Sew a Cloth Baseball

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: October 19, 2022

Whether you're making a toy, a decoration, or even a pincushion, these instructions will show you how to create a basic "baseball" template for making a cloth ball. No matter what it's ultimately going to be used for, it makes for a fun craft project and a great little gift.

Steps

1
Draw your pattern. A baseball is sewn from two pieces of material. The pieces are shaped roughly like a figure eight or dumbbell.
- Take the round object, such as a glass, a jar lid or a can of soup, to use as your base template. Bear in mind that the finished ball will be approximately the same diameter as the round object you use to trace the pattern with.
- Trace the round object once and then move it 2/3rds of its width away from the original tracing and trace it again.
- Join the two circles from edge to edge.
- Narrow the "neck" part of the diagram by approximately a quarter of the total width of the circles on both top and bottom. From here on forth, ignore the "outer" lines, as they were for reference only.
- Using the inner lines as your guide to make the final template, round the inner corners.
- Draw a second line (dotted in this case) around the outside of your shape to serve as your cutting line (allowing 1/4 inch seam allowance). seam
2
Pin two layers of cloth together and cut two of these pieces from your heavy cloth.

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3
Sew the two pieces together along their seam line (1/4 inch from the outside edge), starting the rounded end of one piece in the middle of the "waist" of the other piece and with right sides facing together as shown.
4
Leave an inch or so of opening for turning right side out and stuffing. Back stitch the ends of the seams to prevent unraveling at inopportune moments during stuffing.
5
Clip the seam allowances every quarter inch or so up to the stitch line to allow the seam to lay smooth when turned, being careful to clip up to the line without actually cutting the seam.
6
Turn the ball “right side” out and stuff it to the level of firmness you like
7
Blind stitch the opening closed.
8
Voila! You’ve got a cloth ball!

Community Q&A

Question

How far apart should I make it when I am doing an 8-inch ball?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Article step 1 recommends using a template about the finished size of the ball. Follow the method which recommends moving the template 2/3 of its width from the original tracing and tracing it again.
Question

With what do I fill the baseball?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Polyester fiberfill is the recommended fill for any stuffed item. Take a handful of fill and roll it into a ball before stuffing it into the opening. Make as many balls as possible to stuff into your toy. The ball shaped fill will help the toy hold its shape over time. Not doing this will result in a deformed shape as the fill gets packed down from playing.
Question

I want to sew a "rock pillow", but not the kind with two pieces and a seam around the base. Do you have any idea how to make a template for something like the ones at rockpillows.com?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

The rock pillows are probably made with a stretchy fabric. It looks like a center tube with circular or oval pieces on each end. Upholstery fabrics especially liner fabrics for vehicles may be a good option for material.

Things You'll Need

Heavy cloth scraps (an old pair of jeans or a scrap of heavy twill will do excellently)
Sewing machine and/or needle and thread
Heavy thread such as embroidery floss
Marker
Scissors
Round object: a glass, a jar lid, or a can of soup
Stuffing material such as pillow batting or similar.