Craftiness

My oldest son has started loosing baby teeth.  The surprising part is that he is only 4 years old, so he is on the early side but still considered normal.  I shouldn't really be surprised seeing how he popped his first tooth through during his third month!  Anyway, I hadn't made him anything to put these lost teeth in.  The first tooth was swallowed (he didn't even know he lost a tooth!) so we just left a note for the tooth fairy.  The second tooth we left a note again so we could keep the tooth for his memory box.  When the third tooth came out I had to get creative and put the tooth in a box for the fairy.  All the while he was pestering me to make him a tooth pillow.  Yesterday, I finally got around to it during his afternoon nap (Thank you pre-school for tiring him out!!!)  I was trying to work quickly so I did not take pictures during the whole process.  I will go through the steps so you can make one for yourself.  This really is a quick & easy project!

Step 1 - Gather your supplies

You will need a sewing machine, thread, sharp needle (for hand sewing closure), pins, sharp scissors, fabric (I used felt so I didn't have to worry about fraying), paper for a template, filling fiber (I used silky polyester), and a fabric marker or embroidery floss to personalize the pillow if desired.

Step 2 - Cut your fabric
I made a tooth shape and a rectangle about twice the height of a quarter and a little wider out of paper.  I then placed the tooth shape over two layers of white felt and the rectangle over one layer of blue felt.  Pin the templates in place and carefully cut around the pattern.

Step 3 - Assemble the Pocket
I decided to have the pocket be fully enclosed with an overlap style opening so the little teeth don't fall out easily.  Take the rectangular piece of fabric and place it on the table with the long side perpendicular to you. Fold about 1/3 of the fabric down from the top then bring the bottom up creating an overlap of about 1/2" then pin the sides for sewing.  Sew the two sides closed with a narrow seam allowance. Trim the fabric close to the seam then turn the pocket right side out.  Decide where you want the pocket to be on the top piece of your pillow shape and pin in place.  Top stitch the pocket onto the upper fabric.

Step 4 - Assemble the Pillow
Place the right sides of the pillow together and stitch the two pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the inner curve of the bottom of the pillow open to turn and stuff the pillow.  Trim the corners close to the seam and turn the pillow right side out. 

Note: If you wish to personalize the pillow using embroidery, do that before sewing the pieces together.  The use of a fabric pen can be done after they are sewn together but before it is stuffed.  Make sure you trim any "fuzzy's" on the felt before using the pen or you'll end up with fuzzy writing edges like you see on mine!

Fill the pillow with stuffing to your desired fullness and then whip stitch the opening closed.  Voila! You have a hand made tooth pillow for the little one in your life!