SNOWBALLS....in April?!?!

Snowballs in April?!

That's right SNOWBALLS! What better fun is there than a snowball fight, especially when everyone is forced to be inside, or far away from friends during quarantine.

So, it's time to make Snowballs! Thankfully, this version of Snowballs aren't cold and can be played with when is super HOT, on a really rainy day, or when it's freezing outside. Even the dogs may want in on the play. Our dogs keep trying to steal our Snowballs from the kids and have made it their personal mission in finding them wherever the kids have hidden them. 

A small note of WARNING: Snowballs are only good for the ages of those who can find a ball and put it in their mouth (note I didn't say throw it), to the ripe ol' age of 140...really they are absolutely fantastic for ANYONE! 

These have to be the quickest and easiest project with satisfying results.

If you are hand sewing your Snowball, follow below. To machine sew your snowball, follow along with the YouTube video.

Materials and Tools:

• Scissors
• Thread
• Needle
• Fleece
• Pin/Clips
• Tailors chalk/Disappearing ink pen
• Pattern - see below for the pattern pieces.
•  Stuffing material - you can use poly-fil, or up cycle and use fabric scraps.

1. Trace the pattern onto the fabric with the tailors chalk or disappearing ink pen. You'll need 5x pieces. The seam allowance is included in the pattern, so cut the pattern as is. 

2. Thread the needle, pulling the thread through the eye of the needle until the thread is even on both sides of the needle. Tie a knot at the end of the thread. DO NOT tie a knot in the thread close to the needle.  *NOTE - I wrap the thread around my pointer finger to start my knot. This isn't the only way to tie a knot. If you have a way you prefer to tie a knot, use that way to tie your knot.*

3. To start stitching, put the needle through just a small amount of the fabric. Pull the thread through almost until the knot reaches the fabric. Pull the two threads close to the knot open and put the needle into the opening. Pull the needle through the opening tying the thread to the fabric. Tying the thread to the fabric this way will prevent the knot of the thread from coming through the fabric as you start stitching. 

*Note - I chose to stitch my Snowball from the outside of the Snowball. If you don't want to see the stitching, you'll need to tie the thread to the fabric on the same side of fabric as you start stitching on.*

4. Put the needle about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the raw edge, pull through to the  right side of the fabric, then pull the thread all the way through. Place two Snowball pieces wrong sides together.  Pin / Clip the pieces together. Note that I didn't pin them together here, however, I highly suggest you do so if you are new to sewing.

The picture above shows where the thread should be attached to the fabric and how to insert the needle if you are sewing the Snowball so you can turn it right side out when you are done sewing. 

The picture below shows how to the thread should be attached on the inside of the fabric so the stitching will be seen when you are done sewing.

5. Move the needle over another 1/8 to 1/4 inch to the left and insert again 1/8 to 1/4 inch fro, the raw edge. The thread should be looped around the needle. Continue stitching the same way along the side of the Snowball.

6. Once all 5 pieces are stitched together, stitch about 3/4 of the way down the final side. If you are closing the Snowball, now is the time to turn it right side out.
If you aren't turning it, stuff the ball with poly-fil or up-cycle left over fabric.

7. If you are leaving the stitching on the outside of the Snowball, continue doing the blanket stitch down the rest of the Snowball to close the hole. 

To close the hole in the Snowball that has been turned, a Ladder Stitch will be used to close the hole.

Across from where the needle comes up from the stitching the Snowball together. Push the needle through the fabric fold creating a stitch that is 1/8 - 1/4 inch long. On the opposite seam, insert the needle into the fabric fold and create a stitch that is 1/8 - 1/4 inch long. Repeat to finish closing the opening. 

Note - The threads here have been left loose so you can see the ladder stitches, however, when stitching you'll pull the stitches taut - or tight after every stitch.

8. Tie a knot or two at the end of the stitching. Put the needle into the Snowball,  pushing the needle out at a random spot. Pull the thread all the way out, cut the thread and let it fall back into the Snowball.

 Your Snowball is DONE!