How-To: Tufted Cuddle Cubes

My sister-in-law had a baby a month ago and I am finally getting around to making a gift. I have an excuse though... I mean, I just had a baby myself! Although, she's way big now and sleeping through the night and holding her head up like a champ and laughing and all that. Guess I don't have much of an excuse then, eh? But then, when you've got this bundle of cuteness, you don't get much done.


(ignore that tacky pillowcase. For some reason, my 2-year-old will only sleep on pillows with THAT pillowcase. Sorry, I have no explanations other than that she is my daughter.)

Anyway... my daughter got some Baby Einstein cubes like these when she was little, and loved to stack them and throw them around. BUT, I am trying to get rid of all my fabric, remember (just so I can go blow a bunch of money on more!)? Let's just make them instead! I struggled for a name for these, so don't make fun of it. It's all I can do at midnight.

Now, before I begin, let me tell you that the flash on my camera is dead (after 3 months!) and I have been working on these when the kids are in bed at night. Sorry about the pictures, and lack thereof. I couldn't make it work taking pictures in a closet without a flash. :)

First, I cut 6 4-inch squares out of different fabrics with different textures and patterns. I decided to do three cubes in three different colors.


Second, I set out the fabric squares in the shape of a cross. I took lots of architecture classes in college so I keep thinking about cathedrals when I see this. Anyway, set the fabric out like so:

Third, I started sewing using a 1/4" seam allowance. I did the long middle first, and then sewed on the wings. If you do this, make sure you start and stop sewing 1/4" away from each end so that it will come together nicely in the cube shape. After the cross shape was finished, THEN I started sewing the pieces together to make the cube. I connected the top of the cross shape to the wings, then continued on until it was a cube. You'll be thanking yourself for that 1/4" now.


For the last seam, only sew 3/4" or so from each end so you have a place to turn and stuff. I used some poly-fill stuff that was taking up real estate in my closet. The Baby Einstein ones have a foam core, which you could do too! I will have extra foam after I finish making my headboard (another project...) so maybe I will try these again... anyway, I also clipped the corners (careful!) so they would turn better.


Next, turn, stuff and close. I hand sewed this one, but the silky fabric I was using started to unravel, so I had to run it throught the machine. Not as pretty, but now it won't come undone.


Finally, I tufted the cube so it didn't look like a ball with corners (?) . To tuft, you get a needle and thread, tie a knot in the thread, and poke the needle into the middle of one of the sides (side 1). Push the needle all the way through to the other side (side 2),...


Where you pull the thread until Side 1 starts to dimple a bit. Then, turn that needle back around and go back SUPER close to where the needle came out of Side 2. Wow that was confusing. Anyway, do that one more time so it ends up like so: In side 1, out side 2. In side 2, out side 1. In side 1, out side 2. Then tie it off. Whew, that was rough!

Do that to all the sides, and it will be more... square-ish.


I did the three cubes all differently. The pink one just had fun textures, the blue one had random ribbons on some sides, and the green one had a cat toy in it. What? A CAT toy? Yeah, one of those balls with the little jingle bell inside. So anyway, it rattles. I think it is awesome.

And there you go! A fun, new baby toy that uses up cute fabric, is super soft, and that doesn't weigh a lot so shipping to Utah won't be bad!

Hope you like them, Alexi!