Tutorial: Educational Felt Number Toy

Step 1

Educational toys for children are not only a fashionable trend but also a useful way to spend time. Handmade learning toys can do exactly what their maker intends, and they can be made from everyday, affordable materials. For example, make a felt number that is both a counting aid and an introduction to an exotic animal.

You will need:
• felt in 3 colors;
• cardboard;
• a pen;
• polyester stuffing;
• thread;
• a needle.

Use cardboard or paper to prepare the patterns.
Draw and cut out the outlines of the number, elephant, and ear.

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Step 5

Use these patterns to transfer the outlines onto felt easily.

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Step 12

Be sure to keep the proportions. The ear should not extend beyond the elephant, and the elephant should fit on the number.
Cut two copies of the number for the front and back.

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Step 17

Sew the ear onto the elephant. Embroider an eye with black thread or sew on a small bead instead. Position the elephant on the number and sew it on with a regular overcast stitch. Use thread matching the felt or, conversely, a contrasting thread such as black.

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Sew the two number pieces together with the same overcast stitch, leaving an opening for stuffing.

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Use polyester stuffing or ordinary cotton wool, teased apart first. A long stick or regular pencil is the easiest way to distribute the stuffing evenly inside the toy.

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Step 24

When all the stuffing is inside, sew the toy closed.

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Step 26

The felt number is ready.

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Step 28

For decoration, use simpler shapes that clearly show the number. For example, place one triangle on a one and five balls on a five.
The important thing is that the colors do not blend together, since children see contrasting colors better.
We wish you creative success!