fleece football

Click image to enlarge

Designer: Patti Milazzo

Football enthusiasts of any age will enjoy having this plush fleece football around at game time.  It’s a great stress reliever when the game isn’t going their way or to just toss around between plays as it’s a much softer alternative than a foam football.  
 

Difficulty rating

Instructions (Print version)

1. Enlarge and print project template and cut football shape from template; then using the template, cut 4 from fleece material.  I used the Rotary Cutter, but you can also pin the templates in place and use scissors.

Note: The football is made up of 4 sections.  The sections are sewn together in pairs to create 2 halves of the football.  Then the halves are sewn together to complete the project.

2. Take 2 of the football shapes and place them with right sides facing in, pin along the length of one side and machine stitch ¼” from edge. 
3. Take the other 2 football shapes and repeat what was done in Step 2 with these pieces.

4. Now take each of the halves and turn them right side out.  Place the halves together with the right sides facing in; pin along the length of one side; machine stitch ¼” from edge tip to tip; then turn right side out and set this aside.
5. Cut the lacing shape from the football template; pin onto dark brown felt and trim around the shape.  Use the ¼” Circle Hand Punch to punch circles in the piece as shown.

6. With the football turned right side out, center and pin the lacing shape along the seam stitched in Step 4.  Once secured in place, stitch along the center length of the lacing shape and then 1/8” around the border of the shape.
7. Use the punch needle to help pierce the fleece to lace the trim through the holes already punched through the felt.  If necessary use Micro Tip Scissors to enlarge the holes in the fleece material.  Once the football is laced, tie knots in the ends of the trim to secure in place.

8. Turn the football inside out again and partially pin along the length of the final edge.  Stitch along ¾ of the length.  Leave the remaining ¼ open to turn out the football.
9. Turn the football right side out and stuff with fiber fill, shaping the football in the process. 
10. Once the football is completely stuffed, hand stitch the opening closed with coordinating thread.  Reshape a bit and it’s ready to use!

Suggestions:  For those die hard fans, use color coordinated fabric to match their favorite teams then stitch on a team patch.  If you plan to make this plush for a pet, create the project with all natural materials for safe play. 

Supply List:
Fiskars Brands: 99947097 Non Stick No. 5 Micro-Tip® Scissors
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_no-5-non-stick-scissors.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 9997 7097 Non-Stick #8 Bent Scissors
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_no-8-non-stick-scissors.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 23527097 Hand Punch – ¼” Circle
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_hand-punch-14-circle.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 12-59777097 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_12-in-1-multi-tool.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 12-97937097 45 mm Comfort Grip Rotary Cutter
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_45-mm-comfort-grip-rotary-cutter.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 12-87287097  3” x 18” Acrylic Ruler with Grid
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_3-x-18-acrylic-ruler-coastal.aspx
Fiskars Brands: 12-83727097  24” x 36” Cutting Mat
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_24x36mat.aspx

Other: ¼ yard of fleece fabric; 1 yard of lacing trim; coordinating felt material; coordinating thread; and loose fiber fill