How to Sew an Amish Puzzle Ball

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: December 23, 2021

Here's a fun project that makes a delightful indoor toy from fabric scraps.

Steps

1
Obtain about a quarter yard (22.8cm) of closely woven fabric. Cotton and felts work best, but you can make this from nearly any material once you get the hang of it.
2
Cut 36 football shapes (American football, not soccer!) from your fabric. The shapes should be approximately 2 inches (5cm) long and one inch (2.5cm) wide.
- Important: Make all of the football shapes exactly the same size, and allow an extra 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) for the seams.
- 12 shapes from each of three different colors works very nicely for this project.
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3
With "right sides", or patterned side, of the fabric together, stitch two pieces together along one edge. If sewing by hand, take care to make your stitches very small and even to prevent problems later.
- Note: Begin and end the seam a seam allowance width from the point to prevent bunching when sewing and turning.
4
Fold the current pair open as shown.
5
Place the third piece over the opening, with edges aligned. With right sides facing, sew one long edge together.
6
Unfold the remaining edge and sew half a side of it to the third piece (leaving an opening for stuffing). This will create a three sided wedge which resembles a (somewhat fat) orange section.
- If using three fabrics, use one fabric per side of your wedges so that you can "change colors" on the ball later.
7
Sew all 12 wedges in a similar manner.
8
Clip the points of the wedges away before turning to prevent bunching.
9
Turn the seams to the middle and the "right" or patterned side out.
10
Stuff firmly with batting and stitch closed carefully.
11
Attach the wedges to each other by their end points.
12
Form a triangle from each group of three wedges by sewing their points together end to end.
13
Join each wedge triangle to another group at the points, forming a cross or "X" shape.
14
When all points are sewn together, the wedges will resemble a ball in shape.
- Almost done... just one set of points left to be sewn.
15
Note that the ball can "change" colors, by turning the wedges so that a different cloth faces out.
- Add embellishments such as buttons or ribbon ties if you like, but be aware that you should not give a button encrusted ball to a very small child who may choke on the buttons.

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Community Q&A

Question

Do I need to add the seam allowance to the pattern pieces? (In other words, should the pieces measure 2 1/4 x 1 1/4?)

Community Answer

If your size is 2 1/4 × 1 1/4, you will need to add your seam allowance to that measurement. (2 1/4 + 5/8 seam allowance and 1 1/4 + 5/8 seam allowance should be added to your pattern.)

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Warnings

Be careful with the scissors and needle.

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Things You'll Need

Fabric scraps (preferably tightly woven cottons)
Needle and thread for hand sewing
Sewing Machine (optional)
Pillow batting or stuffing

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About This Article

Co-authored by:

wikiHow Crafts Expert

This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 106,996 times.

32 votes - 93%

Co-authors: 13

Updated: December 23, 2021

Views: 106,996

Categories: Featured Articles | Sewing Crafts

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