Birthday Seat

Growing up we had a few lovely traditions for our birthdays.

Tradition Number One: We would chose a lovely cake out of a special cake book and our long suffering gratious mother would make it for us.

Here I am, Proud as can be on my 5th Birthday.

Tradition Number Two: As long as I can remember we always sat with this beautiful sign behind our heads:

I know, this is not exactly the best quality-- this is before digital, people.  Well, It says, very festively mind you, "Birthday Girl Sits Here".  The "here" is in the red arrow.  This lovely sign was drawn and created by my sweet mother....hey, I wonder what ever happened to it?....

Well, as a girl I always loved sitting underneath that arrow and it always made me feel special on my birthday.

Over the years I've drawn a few of my own "birthday kid sits here" signs around birthday time-- and then promptly throw them away after said birthday because they were not as awesome as I wished to merit saving for the next birthday.

Last year it occurred to me that maybe I should make my own.  This time I made it all out of felt.  

Here's how it goes for the Birthday Seat Tutorial:

Materials:

1. Felt

2. More felt

3. Scissors

4. Sewing machine

Step One: Measure chair back and cut two equal squares that will cover the entire chair, when sewn together.

Step Two: Cut out "B-i-r-t-h-d-a-y" "B-o-y" "G-i-r-l" "S-i-t-s"  and "H-e-r-e" letters and arrow.

For this step I free-handed this.  I printed off the letters from a font that I liked and then looked at it as I cut each letter out.  If you're more of a perfectionist-- which I for sure am not-- then you can trace the letters on the felt to cut out.

Step Three: Pin and place the letters on the front and center of the chair slip.  Zig-Zag down the middle of each letter.

Step Four: "Boy" and "Girl" are sewn onto their own backing and attached with Velcro to the front of the chair slip.

Step Five: Once all the letters are sewn onto the front you can sew the chair sides together. Sew the three sides together with the bottom sides open (so it will slide on the chair).  Fold the bottom sides under and sew for a more finished look.

That's it-- So easy and lovely to be used again and again-- Now Don't Spill Any Cake on it, Kiddo!

(See how "boy" flips up-- because it's attached with Velcro)