Boys & Swords...

Well, it all started out with a cardboard box. We were hanging out at Grandma's and the boys were running around pretending. So we made some swords for everyone to play with out of cardboard boxes. They were small and I found myself hoping no one would poke their eye out! (Oh the Mother in me!) Then it occurred to me! Like some one turned on my little brain that often leaves me! (haha!) I can MAKE a sword that no one can poke their eyes out with! So I came home, started playing and this is the first model that I came up with. (Im still playing so check back soon :)

Materials:

(this is all I had on hand at the time:)

Cotton Balls or Poly Stuffing

Felt (I just used those little square pieces you buy for a few cents)

Your Sewing machine

Thread & Needle

Scissors

Paper Pattern of Sword

Pins

Step 1: The Cut

Draw and cut out your very own pattern of a sword. I was going for a little Peter Pan kind of look so it's really up to you. Cut it out.

Step 2: Pin it

Start pinning your beautiful pattern onto your felt. I folded the felt in half to have 2 pieces to sew together. Dur Dur! Then pinned them together from there. :)

Step 3: Cut it Out! No seriously....

I know Im a nerd. Owell. So after you pin all your fabric together, cut the sword shape out. Once you have your two pieces of sward, separate them. (sorry, yours won't have your stitching on it yet like the following picture...)

Step 4: Stitching Design

On each little piece of sword you are going to stitch a straight line up the middle to give it some detail! Some character! Some pizzaz! Ha!

I sewed the handle using a straight stitch. When I would get to the end I would make sure my needle was still in the fabric, pull up my footer and pivot the fabric to where I wanted it. I then "walked" my needle using my hand wheel 2 stitches down. When you walk your hand wheel your needle will sew (if you will) but only stitch by stitch. Does that make sense? Always turn your hand wheel TOWARDS you! If you don't then you could seriously mess up your gears in your machine.

Step 5: Sew PiecesTogether

Easy! Place pieces wrong sides together and pin. Sew straight around the edges leaving about 1 and 1/2 inches left open. This little opening will let you stuff your sword. :)

Just a note: I was going to turn my sword inside out and then stuff it, but I didn't like it. The sword has "sharper" looking edges if you stitch on the outside edges and do not turn it inside out. :) Just sayin....

Step 6: Im Stuffed!

Take your cotton balls (ha! that's all I had at the time!) or your poly stuffing and start packing that baby until it's to the fullness of your liking.

Then hand stitch the rest of your opening. :)

My guy has fun with his... now I don't have to worry about him poking his brothers eye out... or visa versa! :)

Loves Everyone! Muah!

Rachel