Best toys for a newbie to make?

[lotusblossom9]

Hi Mamas,

I would love to make DS something for the holiday. He'll be 18 months old. I'm not very crafty (I haven't sewn since 7th grade) but everyone has to start somewhere, right?

What are some simple toys that I could start with? I have seen so many cute ideas on here and on other sites like quiet books, felt food, play mats, etc. but I just don't know where to start.

Any help would be appreciated!

[inkedmamajama]

[jenfl]

I was in exactly your position -- DD was about that age, and I hadn't sewn since home ec.

I started with very, very simple stuffed animals. I sketched a funny looking bunny, sewed two pieces of fabric together, turned it inside out, and stuffed it. I've gotten slightly more elaborate, but not much. It doesn't matter. DD just loves that I can make her favorite animal of the day. My pride and joy is the Mr. Ray from Nemo. It's not much to look at, but she knows what it is!

I did some crayon rolls, but they don't get much use. Play food is great, but can be tricky.

I've found that I do much better when I picture something in my head and then figure out how to make it. Second best is tutorials online. And worst is patterns -- I'm terrible with them!

[doubledutch]

dh (who does not know how to sew) made this stuffed animal for our younger son and another awesome one for our older son:
http://spontaneousgeneration.typepad...0/my-tiny.html
he just randomly started cutting and hand-stitching and stuffing. the look rough but the boys adore them.

some other easy beginner projects are bean bags, pom-poms (make a whole bunch, for sorting and transfering games), play silks, sock puppets.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

Dyeing play silks would be pretty easy and 18 months is a good age to start playing with them.

[rere]

Funny snuggles are a great place to start.Especially when they are not suppose to look like anything in particular.Using fleece,felt and t-shirt material is great because you don't have to worry about finishing the edges.

Those materials can come in very handy for making dress up stuff too.Here is a vest I made from fleece.It was real easy.I traced a shirt to get the right size.I also made a grass skirt with strips of fleece.Crowns from felt.

Hand puppets are fun.You can find printable patterns on line for making fabric balls.Or you can sew ribbons onto a hair tie for making a streamer to run around with.And there are lots of recipes out there for play dough.

Have fun!