Alphabet Tiles

I designed, sewed, and embroidered alphabet tiles. They're colorful, washable, chewable, unbreakable, and durable - which makes them perfect for kids! You can customize them endlessly: embroider animals, numbers, seasons, different alphabets in various languages, and on and on!

Fabric - 52 four-inch squares (I used a linen blend)

Quilt batting - 26 four-inch squares

DMC floss

Embroidery needle

Rotary cutter

Cutting mat

Square ruler

Water soluble marker

Scissors

Iron

Pins (optional)

Light pad (optional)

Sewing machine (optional)

Cut 52 four-inch fabric squares and 26 four-inch batting squares. A rotary cutter, a cutting mat, and square ruler come in very handy for this! Fold the fabric selvage to selvage before cutting. That way, each cut gives you two squares that will then serve as the front and back of your tile.

Here is a thorough video tutorial if you are unfamiliar with the process.

I drew the letters roughly onto graph paper. Using a water soluble pen and a light pad, trace your design of choice onto your fabric.

I highly recommend getting a light pad. They make your projects run so much more smoothly for a very small price.

It's time to embroider the letters! Cut your floss to the length of about 18 inches to avoid tangling. If you're using DMC floss, split it (using 3/6 threads). I mixed and matched the colors.

Check out Instructables' Embroidery 101 to pick up the best techniques. Step 9 shows you how to do the satin stitch.

Place the squares right sides together. Place a batting square on top or bottom of these squares. I pinned the three squares together near each corner to make sure they don't move while sewing.

Sew 1/2 inch from the edge, leaving about a two-inch gap through which you will turn your square right side out. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

Cut the corners before turning right side out.

Turn the squares right side out through the 2-inch gap. I use a large crochet hook to push the corners all the way out.

Once you turn your square right side out, press them. Pressing makes the fabric more uniform, so the next step of sewing 1/4 inch from the edge will go much more smoothly.

Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Soak your squares gently in water, air dry, and iron. Your alphabet tiles are complete! Let the games begin. Thanks for checking out my Instructables.

For gifting ideas, you can tie a decorative yarn or ribbon around your tiles.