This is a really simple tutorial for making some cute fabric heart decorations for Valentine's Day -- or ANY day. Start with some fabric, any color -- you can buy some fat quarters or use scraps you have laying around. For the backing fabric I used inexpensive coordinating fabric that I already had in my stash. I cut a piece of the back fabric (about 16 X 24 inches) and ironed on some "Wonder Under". Wonder Under is used to glue the two fabrics together. Put the rough side of the Wonder Under on the wrong side of your backing fabric.
A really important step here is to follow the directions for the Wonder Under and "iron the heck out of it" -- my translation of the directions. Seriously, press the iron in one place for 5-8 seconds and then move on, overlapping your pressings. When the paper side of the Wonder Under is firmly attached and looks a little wrinkly like above, then you know you have done it right. Let the fabric cool a little and then begin peeling off the paper. The glue should stick to the fabric -- if not, iron some more.
Then arrange your face fabrics over the glue side of the backing fabric and press some more. If you are using scraps of cloth, be sure to use a pressing cloth (or another piece of scrap) to put over any gaps in the top fabric so you don't get glue on your iron. Press as directed above until the two fabrics are firmly fused together. I repressed the back side to iron out any wrinkles or bubbles.
Now the fun begins.
I used nesting heart-shaped cookie cutters for my tracing pattern.
I traced on the back side of the fused fabrics because it was easier,
and also so that I wouldn't have any tracing lines on the front of the hearts.
Some of the hearts I cut out with pinking shears,
some with regular scissors.
I then arranged the hearts over a satin ribbon, pinned them in place, and
zig-
zagged them onto the ribbon with my sewing machine.
Ta-
da! Easy
peasy. Hang the heart garland from a mirror
or a mantel as above. Simple and pretty.
Some of the other hearts I punched holes in and hung from narrower ribbon.
Then I went outside and cut some branches from one of the dormant trees in the front yard, arranged them in a pitcher, and hung the hearts from the branches. Instant seasonal decor for my buffet.
Here is a sampling of some of the new fabric I got in recently. I tried to pick some fabrics that made me think of spring. I especially like the black, yellow, and white fabrics above. I have to confess, I've never really noticed before how well gray and yellow go together. Maybe the black is what helps them hit it off. This fabric is just begging me to make some bags....cute little handbags.
This fabric just screams Girly Valentines! I made my little girl some more ruffle pants from the heart and stripe fabric. They turned out really cute, but I imagine you are tired of seeing Nona all dressed up, right?
Red, cream, and blue .... not just for 4th of July. I have a couple of new bag patterns to try out, and you saw the vintage-like fabric used in the heart tutorial.
Now, for the fabric I had been dying to purchase from the day I first saw it. The fabric above and below are from {Amy Butler's L.O.V.E } line of fabrics -- and I LOVE it. Don't you? It was love at first sight for me, and I knew I had to get my hands on some. The colors are beautiful and the designs lovely. What to make?
I have my eye on this fabric next. The above swatches are from {here}.
