Baby Circle Play Mat

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 2 1/2 yd 45" muslin
• 1 1/2 yd Balloon fabric
• 1/2 yd Yellow fabric
• 1/2 yd Green fabric
• 1/4 yd of Blue flannel
• 1/4 yd Orange fabric
• 1/2 yd Yellow fabric
• 1/4 yd print fabric (bird, grandpa, doggy and Boy Scout print)
• 1 pkg of 3/16 cable cord
• 1 pkg Quilt batting
• 1 pkg Cushion Wrap (30" X 10 ft.).
• 2 yds Kraft paper, 36" yard stick, ruler and pencil
• Beige thread
• Sewing notions
• Pattern

DIRECTIONS:

Seams are 1/4" unless noted.
1. To find the downloadable pattern click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
2. Take a few minutes to study the included diagram or blueprint of MAT to show the description and placement of pattern pieces. There are empty spaces in the diagram or blueprint purposely left open so that Numbers, drawings and wording do not overlap.
3. Measure off a 45" square. Fold square in half, then fold it in half again and fold again. This will give you 8 folded sections. Draw lines on the folded sections with pencil, to create a pie effect. Mark a circle at the center. With tape measure starting at the center mark, measure 22 1/2" out all the way around to create a circle, 1/2" seam allowance is included. Cut circle pattern.
4. This will be the base layer. Cut one muslin base layer.
5. Orange layer #2: Measure from the center circle out 7" at each fold line to make points for each section #2. At the center between points, measure up 3/4". Make a curve line between points, (diagram or blueprint # 2). Trace and cut 1 pattern. Add a 1/4" seam allowance.
6. Blue Flannel: The instruction will be the same as the Orange layer except measure 4 1/2" from the center. Trace and cut 1 pattern. Add a 1/4" seam allowance. Cut out 4 pictures of characters (bird, grandpa, doggy and Boy Scout) with added seam allowance to turn under. Place the 4 characters and topstitch to blue flannel. Topstitch Blue Flannel to Orange fabric, offsetting placing points (refer to diagram or blueprint #3).
7. Starting at the Orange points #2, draw a straight line on each side 1" at the bottom which will be the Green triangle #4. Draw a second line 1" on each side of the Green triangle to create the Yellow triangle. The Green triangle is 2" wide at the bottom and the Yellow is 1" at the bottom. Cut out pattern. Add seam allowance to the sides #4 and #5. Cut 8 of Green triangle, cut 16 of Yellow triangles. Sew together Yellow triangles to each side Green triangle.
8. Balloon fabric: The pattern is basically made. Trace and cut pattern. Add seam allowances to sides and top #6.
9. Blue Flannel bottom inserts: The bottom crescent of the balloon pattern, measure in 1" at each bottom side and up 2", drawing a curve. Refer to diagram or blueprint #7. Cut pattern apart from balloon pattern, add seam allowances, & cut out 8 pieces. Cut out 8 additional characters, sewing them to Blue Flannel as in diagram or blueprint #7. Cut 8 of Balloon fabric, making sure balloons are upright. Sew Blue flannel to Balloon fabric. Sew Yellow triangles to balloon #5 and #6.
10. Blue Flannel bias strips with cording: Cut 4 yds. of 1 1/2" bias strips, piecing together strips when necessary. Cover and sew cording to bias fabric.
11. Cut out full circle: 1 of quilted batting, cut 2 of cushion wrap. Put all three layers together. Place fabric circle mat on top. Pin and adjust onto the batting. Sew bias strips through all layers the circumference of mat.
12. Cut out 2nd muslin circle: With right sides together, sew muslin to sewn bias cording, leave an opening for turning. Turn right side out, hand stitch closed.
13. Stitch in the ditch all layers creating a quilting effect around the Blue Flannel to the Orange, the Orange to the Balloon fabric and down both sides of Yellow triangles. If you like to do more quilting it will make the Play Mat flatter and not as soft.

Craft Hack Tips and Tricks:

• Use a little longer stitch length when top stitching the top layers to quilt - about a #3 or 10-12 stitches per inch. Use a size 14 or 16 needle.
• Start pinning all layers together from the middle and work out.