This is a very simple to make craft project (I took longer to write this tutorial than to make them!) and it uses fabric scraps 10cm x 7cm. Five stones is a traditional game, one that I played when I was a little girl. I’m not sure if people in other parts of the world also play this. More information on how to play, here.
Anyway, let’s get started!
Step 1: You’ll need 5 pieces of fabric scraps measuring 10cm x 7cm. I chose different but similar linen prints for randomness.
Step 2: Next, fold the wider side right sides together and sew an L-shape.
Step 3: When you’re done, turn it inside out. Tip: Snip the corners so you’ll have sharper points when you turn it over.
Step 4: Pay attention now! Pinch opposite sides together!
Step 5: Fill with plastic pellets, beans, rice or anything with a bit of weight, about 60% full, then fold down inwards (about 1cm deep).
Step 6: Carefully machine-sew across the opening or hand slip-stitch for a perfect finishing. (I chose the easy way.)
One down, four more to go! Put them in a little drawstring bag and throw in a tiny sheet of instructions and it makes a complete gift! I’ll be writing a tutorial for the drawstring bag in a bit. :)
Extra tip: Sew all the pieces continuously so you won’t waste the thread.
Hello, in Brazil, we called “Cinco Marias” – Five Mary, but this game has many names on country. We play with little stones ou rectangular clothes bags. In Spain, “Jogo das Tabas” – Tabas Game. Greeks and Romans played this with little bones.
I love your work!
Hello Fernanda,
Thank you for sharing these interesting facts about “Five Stones”! And thank you for liking my work! :)
Cute fabric u have there. Where do u get them from??
I’m Ciyou from Malaysia, 5 stones was one we play when I was young, but that time, we really play with stones, nowadays seems like there is more conversion of stone to kawaii cute beads bags
just wanna ask where do u import your fabric from? Do u travel to Japan to buy and sell at here? I’m interested to know more
Hello ciyou, I bought the fabrics from Japan. Some were bought in Japan and some where bought online.
[...] of great tutorials on some crafty little sewing projects. Learn how to make a five-stones game here. Or make yourself an eco friendly re-useable shopping tote [...]
Oh, we used to call it knuckles and I loved this game. Thanks for reminding me.
[...] Via: Junie found the pattern here [...]
I’m from Malaysia — in my schooldays we used to play with five rectangular bean bags. I can’t remember much of the fules now, but there were many levels, and you could not get to the next level if you did not complete the current level. It kept us occupied for hours! We also sometimes played with bottle caps instead of bean bags, but bean bags were still the top favourite.
Thanks very much for the extra tip of sewing the bags continuously to save thread. I’ve been told it can be done but I could not figure out how! So thank you!
Sorry, I meant “rules”, not “fules”! Oops!
in Japan it is called “otedama”. We had a similar game in New Zealand as kids and called it “knucklebones” – and having real sheep`s bones to play it with was the ultimate (mostly we just had coloured plastic knuckle bones). My mother said in Enlgand they had “jacks” which were star shaped made of metal, and a little rubber ball. Sounds like a pretty unviersal game!
[...] A fun game [...]
Hi! I’m from Germany and I love your fabrics. Would you tell me, where this wunderful textile is from? I love Babuschkas in that russian style…
What a cute idea!!! sounds like it’s played like Jacks. I am going to make these as christmas presents!! what a wonderful handmade toy! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hello inga, I bought the fabric from a Japanese online store on Rakuten. I’m afraid it’s sold out now.
Michelle: Yes, I believe it’s the Asian version of Jacks! ;) I’m really happy that you like them!
hey, im jewish and we play with bout quarter inch cubes made of brass n we call em kugelach, not sure why theyre called that cus it means little pudings ^_^, anyway graet game
thx
5 brass cubes i should have said ^_^
I’ve been hunting high and low for my childhood antique 5 stones but couldn’t find them! Probably with the the moving in the past decade…
Glad I found your blog and could maybe try making them, but damn sian, no sewing machine will have to sew by hand…
[...] similar to jacks. It is called Five Stones. It is a fun game that can be played with stones or can easily be made. The game would be a cool gift idea this season. It could also save you money to put toward [...]
[...] http://blog.zakka-zakka.com/make-your-own-five-stones-a-traditional-game.html [...]
I’m from Haiti and we call it Osselet. It’s played with goat knuckles. I was pretty excited to find that they have it now in the plastic version.
BUT…..how do you play it, please????
Hi everyone!
Many greetings from fivestones players from Czech Republic.
Do You know something about fivestones tornaments?