DIY & Crafts
Kids' craft: Easter beanbags
Image: Mike DeLuca/Transcontinental Interactive
DIY & Crafts
Kids' craft: Easter beanbags
Easy to sew and fun to play with, these felt beanbags will outlast your chocolate eggs.
Small, flat stuffed toys are perfect projects for beginner sewers – the size means they're quick to finish, and two-dimensional objects are easy for even small fingers to handle. An adult should be on hand to help with tasks such as pinning or threading needles. Consider using a larger "filler" (such as beans, or even polyfill stuffing) if stitches are large or uneven. These toys are not suitable for very young children.
Take a look at a larger image of the finished Easter egg craft.
Materials (for each):
- Scrap of card stock, approx 10 x 12 cm (4 x 4-3/4 inches)
- Scrap of felt, approx 10 x 24 cm (4 x 9-1/2 inches)
- Embroidery floss
- Pencil, scissors and pinking shears
- Straight pins and safety pins (optional)
- Tapestry needle
- Funnel
- Approx 2 tbsp dried lentils, or beans or rice
Directions
1. With pencil, draw an egg shape (approx 9 cm/31/2 inches high and 7 cm/23/4 inches wide) onto card stock and cut out to make egg template. Mark start and stop lines on bottom of template, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart.
2. Fold felt scrap in half, matching short ends, to form double-thickness 10 x 12 cm (4- x 4-3/4-inch) rectangle.
3. Centre egg template on felt (do not align with edges or fold) and pin securely in centre.
4. Using pinking shears, cut out egg shape, discarding scraps. Using straight pins, place 1 pin at start and stop markings (pin through felt only); remove template. If desired, place 1 or 2 straight or safety pins in centre of egg to secure.
5. Cut approx 45 cm (18-inch) length embroidery floss and thread through tapestry needle, knotting ends together. Beginning at "start" pin and using approx 6 mm (1/4-inch) seam allowance, stitch around egg to "stop" pin. Do not knot floss. Remove pins.
6. Insert funnel into opening in egg; carefully pour in lentils, gently shaking egg to distribute evenly. Remove funnel and stitch opening closed, knotting firmly on wrong side. Trim floss.
Designer's Notes:
- Decorate beanbags with simple embroidery (such as backstitch or chainstitch) or by gluing or hot-gluing on buttons, rickrack or other embellishments.
- These beanbags are perfect for learning to juggle or for a game of "Toss the Eggs in the Basket." Or you could just use them as decorations.
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