Quick background
I had recently learned to juggle, I started with a set of three balls. One had been mistaken as a hacky sack (common mistake), and was stolen. Needless to say I went out and found lots of resources to make this ball, and want to share it with you!
What youll need 🧵✂🍚👖
- Non-stretchy fabric
- Pen or marker to write on fabric
- Sewing needle (for a slower process) or a sewing machine (for a faster process)
- Scissors
- Rice, flaxseed, beans, or bird feed for filling
- Scale
- Template (see Downloads)
Downloads 💾
Can use either, the first one is a 3d model that can be printed and used to make the panels and the second is a PDF that I based the model off of.
Step 1: Make the Panels
You’ll want to use sturdy fabric. In this example, I’m using denim and the 3D-printed Quad Ball Template.
- Trace the outline of the stencil.
- Draw the inside line of the stencil, which is parallel to the outline.
- Using a Sharpie, mark the dots at the four corners.
It should look something like this
Step 2: Sew the Panels
Now it’s time to combine the panels.
- Make a sewer’s knot.
- Take two panels and pass a needle through one corner point (Connecting the two panels by the same corner point).
Start sewing back in forth following the seamline
Once you complete the seam:
- Attach the third panel at the second corner point, entering from one side and exiting at the corresponding point on the third panel.
For sealing, I recommend following this YouTube video here. Although the video shows a four-sided stitch, we’ll only be doing three sides.
Important: Ensure that each corner has exactly three panels attached. No more, no less.
Since we have sewn this whole ball inside out, we must leave ene side unstitched.
- Once you have all except one side sewn, turn inside out (outside side in?)
- Follow this part of the video from this wonderful guy named Jeremy to turn inside out
You should end up with something like this
Last step: Filling the Ball
For the final step, you can use any material you like to fill the juggling ball. Here are some recommendations:
- Flaxseed
- Rice
- Lentils
- Beans
- Bird feed
I recommend using a kitchen scale to keep a consistent weight for each ball you make. Suggested weights:
- 100 grams
- 80 grams
Then repeat x2 to have a full juggling set!
Nope, I dont have any pictures of the final project. Maybe Ill add them another day… Enjoy!