How to Sew a Cloth Baseball

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Draw your pattern . A baseball is sewn from two pieces of material. The pieces are shaped roughly like a figure eight or dumbbell.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Denimball8.JPG\/460px-Denimball8.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Denimball8.JPG\/728px-Denimball8.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Cut two\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    2
    Pin two layers of cloth together and cut two of these pieces from your heavy cloth.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Denimball10.JPG\/460px-Denimball10.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Denimball10.JPG\/728px-Denimball10.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Position for sewing\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Denimball13.JPG\/460px-Denimball13.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Denimball13.JPG\/728px-Denimball13.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Inside out and sewn with opening\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Denimball14.JPG\/460px-Denimball14.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Denimball14.JPG\/728px-Denimball14.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Clipped seams\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Denimball15.JPG\/460px-Denimball15.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Denimball15.JPG\/728px-Denimball15.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Right side out\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    6
    Turn the ball “right side” out and stuff it to the level of firmness you like
  7. Blind stitch the opening closed.
    Step 7 Blind stitch...
    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/9\/94\/Small-ball.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Small-ball.jpg\/314px-Small-ball.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":314,"bigHeight":208,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Pincushion-Collection-baseball.jpg\/460px-Pincushion-Collection-baseball.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Pincushion-Collection-baseball.jpg\/609px-Pincushion-Collection-baseball.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":422,"bigWidth":610,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You’ve got a cloth ball!
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you like, you can use embroidery floss to stitch decorative stitching along the seam line to make your cloth ball look more "baseball like." Be careful to hide any knots inside the ball and clip the floss short when you’re done.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • A heavy cloth works best.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • This can be sewn either by hand or by machine.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      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.

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Trace a Photograph
      How to
      Sew a Blanket
      How to
      Sew a Button
      How to
      Make Teddy Bears Clothes
      How to
      Do Smocking
      How to
      Sew a Fabric Book Cover
      How to
      Cover a Book
      How to
      Make Bunting
      Cute & Easy Ways to Craft Homemade Barbie Clothes
      The Best Way to Sew Piping In Your Projects
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 182,278 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement