Puzzle Balls

Our grandson, Austin, just turned one year old. As a present, I decided to make a couple Patchwork Puzzle Balls according to Jenny Beyer's book that I purchased in 2005. (The book is autographed, so I know the year is certain.) A set of templates are available to go with the book, but I just traced the pattern in the back of the book and cut my own from template plastic.

Since the pieces are small, it's easy to come up with fabrics to make any of the balls. The biggest obstacle  I encountered is finding cotton stuffing. Jenny's instructions insist on cotton stuffing (instead of poly) because the cotton holds the circular shape better. I phoned four local big-box fabric and craft stores without success, so online ordering was needed.

Since I have three grandsons between the ages of 6 and 19 months, I thought I might as well make several of these puzzle balls. Nanas musn't show favorites, right?

The first two, 2-3/4" diameter balls, were sewn on the sewing machine. I wasn't entirely pleased with the inaccurate intersections, so I hand pieced the next two balls that were 5-3/4" and 6" in diameter. They have more precise Y intersections. Once again, I found hand piecing very satisfying. Making these seemed to take no time at all, and listening to a great audiobook - "Juliet" by Anne Fortier - made it even better.

These look pretty pitiful before the stuffing is added.

Stuffing a small, 2-3/4" diameter ball

larger balls - 6" and 5-3/4"

Six month-old Aesa liked the small ball which fit nicely in his little hand.

Birthday boy Austin, liked his too! He can easily throw the 2-3/4" diameter ball.

Of course, it fits nicely in the mouth too.

One of these puzzle balls, pieced from any of a variety of shapes, would make a nice newborn gift. Just print pertinent birth information onto Printed Treasures (paper-backed fabric) then cut one of the puzzle shapes, and sew into the ball.

In any case, making these has been a fun diversion from the usual quiltmaking. Linda