Has anyone told you how much babies cost? They are expensive! Instead of spending around $100 on a baby mobile, make your own for around $20 and an hour of your time!
Supplies:
- Felt balls (any craft store or Amazon). I used 50 multicolored pink 1-inch balls.
- White string
- A 2-inch-long sewing needle
- Metal or wooden ring (craft store or Amazon)
- Scissors
- Ruler
Directions:
- Pick your design with the felt balls. I decided to have the lightest on top and the darker on the bottom. I chose to have 10 rows of five balls each.
- Depending on the look you’re going for, either measure out or just guess the string length. Double the string before you cut it. Remember you can always cut away extra string but would have to double your work if you decide to make the strings longer later. I used 36 inches of string per row.
- Lay the ring flat and place one piece of the string under the ring and pull until the string is in half. You will bead one row of the balls onto this string.
- Place the two ends of the string into the needle eye without tying the end and then bead the felt balls onto the string from your top ball to your bottom ball.
- Once you have completed a row from your design, double tie the end of the string into a loop knot.
- Repeat with all rows of felt balls. Don't worry about adjusting the balls at this time.
- To make the hanger, you will need to cut one more piece of string than the number of rows in your design. My design has 10 rows, so I cut 11 pieces of same-length string. Measure if you have a certain height you need to account for. You can always add additional string at the top later, if needed.
- Loop the string in between each of the rows of hanging balls and tie into a giant double loop knot at the top.
- Hang and adjust the felt balls to the height and spacing you prefer.
- Enjoy!
Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, son and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.