With this book preschoolers will learn about matching colors and shapes, different types of textures, and how to tell time. This will also help with developing hand eye coronation and fine motor skills.

Supplies needed

1.Fabric (I used mostly scraps from other projects)

2.Paper and pen

3.Scissors

4.Iron

5.Buttons

6.Snaps

7.Pellon (a stiff fabric interfacing)

8.Sewing machine

9.Fabric marker

First you need a template to create the right size and shape of the book I traced a book. Trace it 6 times to make the cover and pages. Cut the pieces and also cut 6 pieces of Pellon. Next iron the Pellon to the wrong side of the fabric pieces. Now you can start adding things to your pages.

Step 1: Cover Page

For the cover page I used magnet letters as a template (or you can make paper letters). Trace the letters, cut them out and arrange them on your cover page. Sew them to the page with a decorative stitch.

Step 2: Page 1

First cut out an oval balloon shape out of paper to use as a template. Then trace it on 6 different color fabrics 3 times for a total of 18 pieces. Arrange 1 of every color on the top half of a page and stitch on.With the remaining pieces match them up so the corresponding wrong sides are facing each other. Stitch them together. Next you will need two pieces of fabric to create a pocket to hold the balloon pieces. Measure out your fabric to get a good fit on your page. Sew the pieces together with right sides facing and remember to leave a 2 in. space for turning. Snip the corners and turn right side out. Place pocket on page and sew around the sides and bottom to keep it in place. Now attach snap fasteners to the center of the balloon pieces on the page and the loose ones. Then use buttons on the top of the balloon pieces for added decoration. Use your fabric marker to add the finishing touches. I wrote “match the colors” and “balloons”.

Step 3: Page 2

First make a circle out of fabric that fits well on your page (I used a CD for the template). Place the circle in the center of your page and stitch on. Next make 2 paper templates for clock hands. Cut out 2 of each from fabric along with 2 of each from Pellon. Iron the Pellon on to the wrong side of the fabric pieces and put them together wrong sides facing. Stitch together. Now you will need a button with the hole sticking out in the back side. Cut small holes in the clock hands to attach them to the button and sew the button to the center of the clock.Next use your fabric marker to write the numbers on the clock and I wrote “what time is it?”

Step 4: Page 3

Make templates of 4 different shapes square, circle, heart, and triangle. Trace on fabric creating 3 of each shape for a total of 12. Arrange and sew 1 of each to the top half of a page and then sew the remaining pieces together wrong side facing each other. Next you will need two pieces of fabric to create a pocket to hold the shapes. Measure out your fabric to get a good fit on your page. Sew the pieces together with right sides facing and remember to leave a 2 in. space for turning. Snip the corners and turn right side out. Place pocket on page and sew around the sides and bottom to keep it in place. Now make button holes in the center of the loose shapes and sew buttons to the shapes on the page. I wrote “match the shapes”.

Step 5: Page 4

Find 4 different textured fabrics I chose fleece, corduroy, velvet, and a bumpy fabric. Make a paper template rectangle that would fit well on your page 4 times. Trace and cut out your rectangles. Next place them on your page and stitch them on. Then I wrote “feels the texture”.

Step 6: Back Page

For the back page I cut out a heart that would fit well on the page and then stitched it on. Next I used my letter templates and spelled out “the end” and traced, cut, and then stitched them to the page.

Step 7: Assembling the Book

Sew the cover page to the page 1, page 2 to the page 3, and page 4 to the back page. Sew these pages right side facing each other and remember to leave a 2 or 3 in. space for turning. Snip the corners, and turn the pages right side out. Now you have 3 pieces, put them together cover page, middle page, then end page.Stitch along the left side creating the book.