Sunday, November 22, 2009

ABC...Easy as 3.5 Hours of Work

Look See


Scraps


Scraps to Gift


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Fabric Letters
This is not an origional idea. I got the idea from Chez Bebe although I did put my own spin on it.
Tips

1. I made the letters all lower case. Most kids have a lot of exposure to the capital letters. When I taught kindergarten it was the lower case letters that were hardest for the kids to master.

2. I used a solid color for the back. This will help kids to see which side (the pretty side) faces up and will help with reversals which are so common for little kids. Also, it makes it much easier on the eyes to cut them out with a high contrast thread on a solid back.
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3. I drew my letters free hand. I used Sharpie markers on the front for some and chalk on the dark back for the ones that are the same front and back. They are not at all perfect and I am just fine with that.

4. To save time I cut the scrap fabric, batting, and backing all at once, layered and pinned them together. This took an hour or maybe more because I linger over fabric. Then the next day I sat down with a movie (Bride Wars -meh) and happily sewed along. It took about 2-2.5 hours. This would be a great project to spread out since it's easy to pick up where you left off.

5. I didn't have magnets so I left them out. It's gonna be a frugal Christmas in these parts.

6. This is a gift for my sister-in-law who is far too busy (teaching kindergarten and working for a theater company) to read my blog. For that I am very thankful. It's nice to be able to share at least one gift here before the holidays! Anyway, since it's for her class I made a bunch of extra letters so the kids can make words.
My Little Side Table Ironing Station
Oh, and since I was humming right along here, I decided to make a set to give away!
Contest
Just leave a comment and I'll draw a winner on Sunday.
Bag for Fabric Alphabet Letters


Updated: See what I did with the little scraps leftover from this project here.

I am linking to Met. Monday. Be sure to visit over there for lots of other "Before and Afters."


67 comments:

Tammy @ she wears flowers said...

These are ADORABLE! Love them and I love reading your blog--I just discovered it. You are amazingly creative and resourceful!

Tammy

Sara said...

As a former kindergarten teacher turned stay-at-home mommy, I absolutely love these! Fingers crossed and fairy dust for winning!

Deb @ inner compass designs said...

they came out great! my 4 1/2 year old is finally interested in lower case letters so this would be fab!

nikihas3 said...

These are wonderful! I have a 1st grader having some trouble with lower case. These would be perfect.

Konstance said...

I love these! My 5 yr old is opposite, he is having a tough time with the capital letter :) These would be great for my 2 yr old who is learning his abc's

happileah said...

Those are great! They would be perfect for my 3 yr old. 3.5 hrs is great time, in my opinion. It would take me 3.5 years & they would still be a disaster! :)

Have a great week!

ChesterAndDonkey said...

I love the alphabet ... the letters are so cute! You could probably sell these on Etsy like hotcakes! Oh, and I just recently watched Bride Wars, too! :)

Sandy said...

oh, I would love to win these to use in my primary special ed. class and with my 3 year old granddaughter, and to try to make some myself.
I really enjoy your blog. Wish I was as creative as you. Really wish I could make a kitchen, but I can't! I don't let my students say that, but I know I can not make a kitchen!

Again, I love the alphabet, and everything you said about lower case and reversals is so true!

Leslie said...

Love these! And I have a little boy that would love them as well. :) So, so cute.

Cathi said...

So cute! I would love to win a set!

Nicole said...

These are wonderful! I have plans to make a capitals set to help teach my kiddos...but when?! The lowercase set is a perfect idea since so many of them can be confused - thanks for the inspiration and have a lovely week!

♥Jennette♥ said...

What a great idea! They look great!
jennette6963@msn.com

Amanda said...

So fun! I'd love to win these!

Sherrie Williams said...

I love this post, I was planning on making some for my son for christmas, but i'm stoked to read your tutorial cause i never thought about the solid side to learn which direction to put the letters, or about doing batting at the same time! very nice. Well atleast if i dont win your giveaway i have good pointers for my own set when i start it soon.

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

Do we get bonus points if we were going to leave a comment without the giveaway? :) I saw these on Chez Bebe too, and have them on my list of projects to try. I'm so glad you posted this though, because I hadn't thought of the focusing on the lower case letters or making front and back easy to distinguish. I wonder if there's something to help them distinguish a p from d. I guess they don't really need to as long as the word comes out right. Thanks for all the tips!

Sara said...

You are so talented. It would take me a lot longer than 3.5 hours to do this project. I know my daughter would love this and learn in the process. Thanks!

sara.yoursisterfriend at gmail

Kristi said...

So very cute! Thanks for all your work and giving one away! My little ones would love these.
kristidorman at gmail dot com

littlemissmk said...

ooooh, so many sweet giveaways........

Anonymous said...

oh my! these are so stinkin' cute! they'll go great with our uppercase set....

Wendy said...

serious??? you made an extra set? wow, how generous!!! my 4 year old would love these :)

Julie said...

These are wonderful! Crossing my fingers.... :)
hydrangea1329AThotmailDOTcom

Always, Hannah said...

My daughter is in kindergarten this year and this would be perfect for her.

Anonymous said...

They look great! What a great idea. --Laura

Anonymous said...

awesome idea -using solid backing to help w/ reversals! Thanks for making an extra set :}

Anonymous said...

So cute! I will be adding this to my list of things I want to make. Man that list is getting long. Great thinking about making lower case letters instead of capitals. :)

Coleen said...

I would totally make these! But if I won them, that would be awesome, too! :)

Cath said...

how cute !! my 4 yo is mad about learning to read, I am going to make that for Xmas (great gift) !!
thanks for sharing !

carla said...

Those are adorable! And I love your play kitchens, too. I think my daughter is going to need one of those when she's old enough.

chinell said...

These are so cool. I haven't made any myself, but I am planning on it. My first grader does a lot of backwards letter writing.

deb said...

What a terricif idea and wonderful gift! She will love and use these over and over. Fun fabrics too!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
*hugs*deb

Nicole said...

HOLY MOLY!!!!

I am in love with this idea!

Hopefully I will win or else I'd better get started if I plan on giving them to my daughter for Christmas!

Always Faith said...

beautiful...would love to win a set for my 4 year old...he's learning his letters and you're right, the lowercase does seem to be more difficult for them. great contest

Nicki said...

I ADORE those letters!!! I hope I win but if I don't I will just have to make some for my little kiddo's!!!!!

Nicki@bellsandbugbites.blogspot.com
nreyn1@amfam.com

stephasauri said...

I've been planning to make these for my toddler for Christmas! I would love to win some already made!

Sarah said...

These have been on my to make list for a long time. Yours turned out adorable, and clever you spelling words for the blog post. :-)

The Woman Undone said...

My preschoolers would flip over these!!! FINGERS & TOES CROSSED!!!

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

what a cute idea! I too am doing a frugal Christmas this year. All but 2 gifts are homemade this year. I saw your post this morning and just had to enter! I have a 3 yr old who is already picking up the letters like a pro and these would make a fun gift for her.

Camille said...

Yup, my 3 year old is having a hard time with the lower case letters!CUTE!

Kelly said...

My Pre-K daughter would love these, she has just started reading and loves to make sentences in the bath! I love the lowercase letters!

aSprinkling said...

My kids would LOVE this! One likes to spell things out and the other is just learning letters.

charisse said...

These are adorable. I'm just starting to introduce letters to my daughter (she's 2) and she'd love them.

Lckevan said...

I love this idea! My daughter would love these so if I don't win, I will definitely be making my own!

Christianne @ Little Page Turners said...

I never win anything, but I'm happy to comment and tell you that these are adorable and would take me WAYYYYYYYY longer to make. Good job!

erin said...

you are AMAZING. i am so jealous of anyone who can sew. LOVE 'EM. LOVE 'EM. LOVE 'EM.

Martine said...

The letters are so cute. My kids would love them. Thank you for the giveaway.

Valeree said...

What a cute idea! Love them!! So nice of you to have a giveaway too, Thanks!

Carrie said...

Love this little alphabet - what a creative idea! Hope i win!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

These are so darling! I love them (and my son would too!) Thanks for posting - I need to start saving my scraps!)

courtneyb said...

so cute!

Anonymous said...

How cute! Love em! -Jaclyn

Jen said...

Too Cute! I want to win!

Sadie said...

I'd love to win! My kindergartener would have a blast with these!

janadec9 said...

These are great! Hope i win!

Anonymous said...

These are just so brilliant! I LOVE them! What a wonderful idea.
Am quite disappointed that I have recently given away a showbox full of scraps as I was unsure what to to with them :(
Will have to start collecting scraps again.

Lisa said...

I love these! What a great use for scraps! My daughter would have a ton of fun with a set :) Thanks for the chance to win!

tiziana said...

you're an artist! congrats for the blog too!
love

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Those are so cute! I know my 5 year old would love them.

DAni said...

This would be wonderful for my niece!

Chelsea said...

These are adorable. Thanks for sharing. I hope I win!! My first graders will love them! :)

holly said...

these are so cute. I had commented the other day but my comment didn't post. Maybe this spot is better luck!!!!
hollydonahue@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I can't seem to get my comment to post but these are so cute I am going to try one more time!
holly
hollydonahue@hotmail.com

Tracy said...

i love these letters and have a kindergartner they'd be perfect for!

Erica said...

I *love* these letters!!! I have 5 kids, ages 7, 5, 3, and almost 2yo twins -- these would be a huge hit in our house!!! Fingers crossed that we win, since any craft takes me a super long time to complete!!!!

ricacooper (at) gmail.com

the mama monster said...

i've been waiting until after thanksgiving to make these. maybe you can save me the trouble:) thanks for the giveaway! i just found your blog and i love all your great ideas!

Melissa said...

I would love to win these! They'd look great in my elementary art classroom at school.

Thanks for the opportunity,
Melissa
missmelissaf @ yahoo . com

Jane said...

This contest is now closed.

Comment #50
Holly-hollydonahue at hotmail dotcom you are the winner!

FrankieV said...

These are lovely!
Are these available to buy at all? :D