How to Make Soft Books for Toddlers

Giving a toddler a soft cloth book is one of the most important things you can do for his development. Enhance his communication skills as you read to him while he looks at the pictures. This activity gives him information about the world around him, and helps develop vocabulary, listening and memory skills. Books with textures, shapes, colorful images and hands-on activities capture his attention and foster a love of books and learning that endures for a lifetime.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Printed cotton, light-weight twill fabric
• Medium-weight muslin
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Fabric paint and markers
• Felt
• Ribbon
• Snaps
• Shoelace
• Fabric glue

1. • 1
     Determine how big you want the book, and allow an extra inch all the way around for seams. Books that measure about 21-by-14-inches work well. This is the measurement when the book lies flat. Cut the cotton or twill fabric according to the size you want for the cover. Measure and cut muslin fabric for each page you plan to use.
   • 2
     For each page, sew the right sides of fabric together first. Lay the piece out flat and iron the seams down. Top-stitch all seams for stability. Follow your plan for sewing the pages in the desired order. Place an extra strip of fabric in the middle where the fold will be. Sew together the pages that go on the back of the completed one. Now you have two completed sections with two pages connected.
   • 3
     Add embellishment and designs for each page. For example; cut out a dog or cat from felt and hand-stitch onto a page. Sew a ribbon around its neck for the child to practice tying and untying. Cut out a traffic light with red, yellow and green felt. Attach each light with a snap so the colors can be removed and replaced. Cut out a shoe and sew on a page. Attach loops and a shoelace to practice tying. Use fabric markers or embroidery for the text on each page.
   • 4
     Sew the two sections together by putting the right sides of the pages together, sewing the edges, and leaving a gap to turn it right-side-out. Top-stitch all around the edges. Double-stitch the seams for durability. Lay out the individual pages in order. Use a sewing machine, if it can handle thick fabrics, and sew along the spine to hold the book together.
   • 5
     To cover up messy-looking stitches, or to add a finished look, add matching ribbon to the spine of the book at the end. Cut out a long length of ribbon, wrap it inside the middle of the book, and tie it in a bow on the outside spine. Use some fabric glue to hold it in place. Sew the bow shut from the underside for a smoother look.