Baseball Cross Coach Gift

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

My son has fallen in love. It happens in many young boy’s lives. That would be, the love of baseball. He has fallen completely in love with the game. Luckily he had a really great group of coaches this past season. I wanted to thank them for all the time and love they put into working with these little boys! I had several ideas rolling around in my head until I decided on this Baseball Cross Coach Gift.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

Here are the supplies that I started with:

Baseball

Wood plaque

Wood Stain

Red embroidery thread

X-acto knife

Foam brush

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

The first step is to take the baseball apart. I used my super sharp x-acto knife and cut in-between the stitching of the baseball. Please be very very careful with this step, take your time, and cut one thread at a time! We don’t need any stab wounds during this project!!!

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

As you cut through all of the stitching, the leather will start to pull away from the yarn wrapped center of the ball. There will also be little red threads all over the place.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

Continuing cutting the thread until both of the leather strips can be removed from the ball. Side note: Did you ever know what the inside of a baseball looked like? Now ya do! Remove all of the cut up old red threads and throw them away.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

Now we need to replace the red thread (I know, seems counterproductive to remove it only to replace it but stay with me). I used a large needle and bright red embroidery thread to weave through the pre-existing holes in the leather strips.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

I “sewed” the baseball edges much like I would if I was hand sewing the edge of something. I followed the direction of where the previous thread had been, went all the way around each strip, and then knotted the ends on the “back” side.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

Meanwhile, I took my wood plaque that I bought at the craft store and stained it “special walnut” by Minwax.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

I was unsure what I should use to glue down the leather strips in the shape of a cross but I ended up going with hot glue. Don’t mind my horribly messy hot glue gun. It really should be replaced but we’re been through so much together and we’ve only had a few little run ins.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

The hot glue seemed to work perfectly. I just took extra time to make sure that I glued everything down facing the “right” ways. Looking good right?

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

The last step was to add a vinyl quote (which is of course a bible verse). I cut some white vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo and placed it at the bottom of my stained plaque.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

The new stitching looks perfect and you wouldn’t even know it wasn’t the original. Without it I think the leather wouldn’t stand out as much as it does. I mean, what’s a baseball without the iconic stitching right?

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

I thought the verse was perfect for the occasion and more versatile than a “thank you Coach….” thing. Hopefully this is something my son’s coaches can display in their homes as a huge reminder of the joy they help to bring these little boys.

Baseball Cross Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

In the end the project is pretty inexpensive, it takes some time to create but overall the project isn’t too difficult. My hope is that the coaches will really appreciate their gifts!!! What are some great coach gifts you have???

DIY Coach Gift | A Diamond in the Stuff

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Looking for another awesome BASEBALL project? I have a full tutorial up on how I created these super cute baseball signs…..

Baseball Subway Art

Comments

  1. What size plaque did you use?

  2. Brittan Jarrell says:

    I’m with Heather, what size plaque did you use?

  3. Rachel Reed says:

    What font did you use?

  4. What size font

  5. Alexandria Whittington says:

    Is there anyway I could buy this from you? Or have you make me one? My boyfriend is getting drafted into the Major League and I wanted to get him something. I am not creative by any means so I would be willing to pay you for something like this!!

  6. Christine says:

    Could you please offer suggestions on how to add the bible verse without a Silhouette Cameo? I don’t own one of those. And, thank you for the great idea! I love this and am looking to make one for my son’s confirmation.

  7. I am also looking to see if I can buy this from you?? My nephew is making his confirmation ad is a huge baseball fan, what a great idea!!

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