Hackey Sack From a Tshirt!

I decided to make a four-panel hackey sack from an old tshirt as a gift. took me about an hour. you'll need scrap fabric, a needle, scissors, pins, thread, and filler.

I used a ruler and marked out 2 3/4". then I marked half of that at 1.5". from this halfway point, I made an estimated perpindicular 2 1/2" mark, and marked out an extra 1/4" for the curvature. from a straight line between the two points, a curve will dip out 1/4".

if you measure from each edge of the triangle, they should all be the same. now is the time to adjust if needed. I used a sharpie so it would show through the paper. i folded it in half, using the better curve as a guide. then i cut out the pattern.

I pinned the pattern down to the fabric. you can use more pins if the fabric is shifty. I cut two pieces at once, then repinned and cut out another two. once they've been cut out, I flipped the fabric so the outside is facing in. then i pinned it as evenly as possible.

sew that first edge. I used a machine, but hand sewing is just fine. if you're using suede or something heavier than a tshirt, it's almost preferred to do it by hand. then I attached another piece, as pictured, and sewed it in place.

zip along that other side, same as before. you should have a tent-shape...

...or an auditorium?

sew on the last piece, but only two sides. you'll need to be able to turn it inside-out.

turn it inside-out so that you can fill it up!

I'm using barley. you can also use rice, pellets, sand, etc. leave a smidge of room so it's got some flex when you kick it around.

pinch the seam inside of the bag and begin to sew it up. if you dig in from the inside of the fabric, go over-the-top, and end up inside with your needle, you get what I call a "baseball stitch." and you can make the seam almost invisible if you do it right.

continue sewing up the last edge using the same methods.

go back over the seam and pull the stitches tighter with your needle. after it's pulled tight, stitch off the last centimeter. as you close down, tie an overhand knot or two. I like to thread the needle under a few stitches so it hides the loose strand. clip it clean.

roll the finished product in your hands until it softens into its new shape. kick it up! test it out before you wrap it! I thought white might've not been the best choice, but all the same, you've gotta have good game to keep it pure! this one is gonna be a stocking stuffer for christmas. hope you dig! :)