Playing with the alphabet is a great way to help your preschooler learn the alphabet and promote letter recognition, and this easy-to-make fabric alphabet will provide hours of kid-friendly, educational fun!
Our free download includes step by step instructions and printable letter templates so you can jump right in and make your own set of fabric letters!
Print out the alphabet letter templates and cut out each letter using scissors or a utility knife.
Cut solid-color fabric, print fabric, and two layers of quilt batting into twenty-six five-inch squares. Squares should be large enough to accommodate the letter template plus a little bit of extra cutting room around each letter.
Trace each letter onto one square of print fabric. I used a disappearing marking pen, but feel free to use pencil. Pin together all layers.
Using a sewing machine, sew layers together with a wide stitch along the traced line.
Cut around each letter with pinking shears, about 1/4″ from the stitching. Cut out center holes (as in letters A, B, D, etc.) with small fabric scissors.
Repeat steps 3-5 with each letter of the alphabet. If you used a disappearing marking pen, remove the marks with a damp cloth (or follow the instructions for your pen).
For plenty of transportable (and decorative!) fun, store your letters in a basket on your child’s bookcase!
Admire your handiwork and then give the letters to your little one to let the fun and learning begin! Can she spell her name?
Or spell some easy words? It’s time to let the learning begin!
If you make a set of fabric letters for your child, we’d love to see some pictures! You can share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram (tag @allaboutlearning)!
Here are instructions for creating your own template:
1. In Microsoft Word, type up the alphabet from A-Z and the numbers 0-9, using your favorite font and font size.
2. Select all of the letters, and then click the Text Effects tool. (In Microsoft Word 2010, the Text Effects tool is in the toolbox under Home, to the left of the highlighting tool. The icon for the text effects tool is a blue A.)
3. Choose whatever outline style your heart desires, and then voilà! That’s it! You’ve made your own customized template!
Did your preschooler enjoy this activity? Try some of our other great letter recognition activities!
Lesley
says:Hi
I can’t seem to print this off
Thanks lesley
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAre you still having difficulties, Lesley? What device and browser are you using? It seems to be working fine on my end.
Deborah
says:This will not download on my iPad. Can you send me the pdf to my email address?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m sorry you are having difficulties with this, Deborah. Is it possible you don’t have a PDF reader app on your iPad? Adobe Acrobat Reader is a well-rated free option that allows PDF files like this to be opened on devices.
However, I have also emailed you the PDF for the Fabric Alphabet.
Trina Painter
says:Is there a lowercase alphabet set to match the uppercase size??
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceTrina,
I’m sorry, no. We don’t have a pre-made template for lowercase letters. However, you can easily make a template for lowercase letters and even numbers. Here’s how:
In Microsoft Word, type up the alphabet a-z and the numbers 0-9, using whatever font size that you would like. Then select all of the letters and click the Text Effects tool. (In Microsoft Word 2010, the Text Effects tool is in the toolbox under Home, to the left of the highlighting tool. The icon is a blue A.) Select this tool, choose whatever outline style your heart desires, and then voila! That’s it! You’ve made your own customized template!
Diane
says:Hi, do you need a quilting machine to sew around the letters? I can’t seem to sew around them neatly enough. Than you for the wonderful tutorial!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceDiane,
No, you don’t need a specialty machine to do this. These were made on a regular sewing machine, but they can also be handstitched.
I’m not sure what difficulties you are having with neatness. Maybe there is something off with your machine tension?
Sally Hauser
says:I made these for a two year old out of Kaffe Facet 5×5 fabric squares. I drew the letters onto freezer paper and ironed onto squares. Stitched and tore off paper which left some pulled stitches so I restitched on top of first stitching for reinforcement. Turned out so cute!, thank you for your tutorial 😌
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Sally! I’m glad these turned out well for you. Thanks for the tips about the freezer paper.
Kazzza
says:I’m going to give this a try and make a HAPPY BIRTHDAY bunting banner that can be used by the whole family all year round..
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWhat a great idea, Kazzza! It would be cute to make a bunting banner that spells out a child’s name for their room as well.
Amy T.
says:How cute! Looks like SEW (he-he… just finished playing on the homophone machine) much fun.
I homeschool an 11 year old struggling reader/speller who wants to learn to sew.
This will be a great activity for her.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceHee-hee! Good one, Amy. I do think this is a great first project activity.
Angela
says:This is a cute idea! I may have to drag out the sewing machine to do this!
Sarah Barkley
says:These are adorable! I will definitely be making for my rising Kindergartener!
hollie
says:My older guys have been wanting to learn to sew, and this is going to be their project!! Thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThis would be a great first sewing project, Hollie! Great idea!
Carla
says:I can’t wait to try these! Little sister has been tagging along to our Kindergarten lessons, and I think this would help her get more out of the pre-reading experience!
Melida Palencia
says:Love this! I will definitely try it out! Thank you.
Melissa
says:These are so cute.
Nicki
says:I’ve got to make these soon!
Kim
says:So creative! What’s more, my crafty teenager will be so excited to make these for her little sister!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWhat a great thing for an older sister to do, Kim!
Rebekah
says:Wonderful pattern. Can’t wait to make a set
Amanda
says:This is so cute!
Rachel Tenison
says:Great idea!
Katie Stephens
says:Such an awesome idea!
Kristen Mclaughlin
says:This is super cool!
Emily
says:This will be a great addition to my preschoolers school activities.
Daniele
says:Wish I had this when my kids were younger – fabulous idea!
Whitney
says:Can’t wait to do this!
Bridgette kosouk
says:This looks like fun!
Kristie Simmons
says:This is awesome!! Thank you for sharing.
Priscilla Craddock
says:Such cute ideas! Can’t wait to try them!
Stacy Clemenson
says:This is awesome, I have been looking for a pattern like this for a while! Thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou are so welcome, Stacy!
Krista Freeman
says:What a fun way to learn! My daughter will love this!
Gillian
says:Love it! Interactive and sensory, making learning a very concrete experience!
Cindy Curtain
says:Awesome idea!