Felt Pie

What You Need:

• Red and tan felt
• Scratch paper
• Ruler
• Matching embroidery floss and needle
• Stuffing, batting or cotton balls
• Optional: pinking shears

What You Do:

1. It’s a good idea for your child to sketch out a template for their project on scratch paper before cutting into the felt. Tell them to use a ruler to make a triangle that's 3 inches wide at the base and 4 inches tall. This will be the top “crust” piece.
2. Repeat the same triangle shape, adding a 2-inch wide rectangle to the shortest side to make a “house” shape. This will make the bottom and side of the crust.
3. Help them carefully cut out the top and bottom piece.
4. Next, they can cut two 2-by-4-inch rectangles of red felt, which will be the "cherry filling". If they want, they can use pinking shears to add a fun texture to the edges of each felt piece.
5. To make a dollop of “whipped cream” for the top, they can also cut out a 1½-inch wide circle of white felt. Next, they should cut a 6-inch length of white embroidery thread, pinch the white felt circle between their fingers, and sew it to the top crust piece. Make sure they knot the thread on the back or underside of the felt.
6. Next, they can sew the long side of each red felt rectangle to the long sides of the tan bottom triangle, leaving the rectangular part of the “house” shape free. Help them fold the rectangular piece up, so that it makes a 90-degree angle. They should then sew the short ends of the filling pieces to the rectangular flap.
7. Next, have them sew the top triangle piece to the filling and back of the “crust,” leaving a lip for the crust’s edge. If they've added the whipped cream dollop, make sure it’s on the side that will be facing up! Leave the pie open at the front for now.
8. Have them use an overhand stitch to fold over the top of the crust, if desired, to give it a rolled-dough look, or cut it into scallop shape.
9. Stuff the pie with cotton batting through the opening in the front. If they have trouble getting the slice to stand properly, have them cut a cardboard triangle slightly smaller than the template they made earlier and put it under the stuffing to create a base.