I was inspired by the 'I Spy' quilts that many people seem to enjoy making and came up with a game version ~ the 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game. This is a great way to use up the many different fabric scraps you have lying around. If you have little ones, they will truly enjoy playing this game. It is stimulating, fun, and pretty much indestructible (which you know is important if you live in the world of toddlers). There are two different ways to play so it's great for 2 year olds on up.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS WITH ADDITIONAL PHOTOS.

Created By Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama

Supplies

• Baby Lock Brilliant or similar sewing machine
• 20 4.5" squares of fabric (2 squares of 10 different prints)
• 20 4.5" squares of fabric (all the same print)
• 20 4.5" squares of batting
• Basic sewing supplies

Instructions

1. Take one piece of your printed fabric, one piece of the fabric backing and one piece of batting. You will be making a total of 20 squares, 10 of each different print. All of the backs will be the same.
2. Layer your three pieces. Place the back fabric and printed fabric with the right sides together and layer the piece of batting on top of the back of the printed fabric.
3. Stitch all the way around the square with a 1/2" seam allowance but leave a 1.5" opening on the side.
4. Clip the four corners of the square. This will allow you to turn the corners out nicely.
5. Turn the square right side out by pulling the fabric through the opening that was left on the side of the square.
6. Grab your point-turner to push the corners out. If you don't have a point turner, you could use any pointy edge tool (i.e. a chopstick, etc.). Point-turners are really inexpensive, so it's a great tool to have in your sewing basket.
7. Insert the point-turner and push each corner out by using the pointy end. Sometimes it takes a little work to get the corners pushed out, but just take your time.
8. Once your corners are turned out nicely, press each square.
9. Press the opening on the side under so it is in line with the rest of the square.
10. Top-stitch around the edge of the square using a 1/4" seam allowance. The top-stitching will catch the opening and sew it closed. Press both sides to set your stitches.
11. Continue top-stitching all the squares until you have 10 sets of 2 for a total of 20 squares.

So here's how to play..........

Option 1: Advanced Matching (age 4 and up) Turn all of the 20 squares over so that the back sides are up. Place them in four rows of five. Make sure the squares are all mixed up. Each player takes a turn turning over two squares. When they turn over two squares that match they get to keep them. This method requires the child to remember where they have seen a specific pattern to find the match. The person who collects the most matches wins!

Option 2: Beginner Toddler Matching (Ages 2-4) Lay out all of the squares with the printed sides up. Have each player take a turn picking out one print and simply finding the other one that matches. Continue taking turns until all the matches have been made. In this version everybody wins!

I think the 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game is the perfect gift idea for any child. You can make the game themed if you are not using fabric scraps - make it geared towards a boy or girl or keep it gender neutral. You could also theme it towards the child's interest - nature, animals, bugs, flowers, sesame street, etc.