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Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Make a Simple Hanging Heart

These hanging hearts are so simple and quick to make and very effective.  In fact, they're an ideal project for beginners who might need a little practice with a sewing machine - and a few wobbles actually add to the charm of the finished piece.  You can use straight stitch on your sewing machine or you could practise your free machine embroidery techniques with these.  Either way, you'll end up with something pretty to brighten up your space.


You'll need:


felt for the largest heart
print fabric - cotton or ploycotton is best - for the third heart
old book pages for the other two hearts (sheet music, maps or scrapbooking paper might work too)
ribbon, string or cord
button

How to make your hanging heart:


Cut four heart shapes from fabric and paper, making each one a little smaller than the first.  I used an old damaged book so I didn't feel too bad about cutting it up!  If your freehand cutting skills aren't great, make a paper template first (fold the paper in half and cut while folded to get a symmetrical shape).



Layer the hearts to check for size, then put the smallest two to one side while you sew the largest two


Insert a piece of ribbon or string in between the large felt heart and the paper one




Set your machine to a slightly longer than usual stitch length or use free machine techniques.  Using black thread, sew them together.  Don't keep your stitches too neat and you'll get a lovely sketchy look.


Keep on adding the layers



Finish with a button.




Repeat as often as you like...


16 comments:

  1. Nice project and so simple and quick, but look so fab.

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  2. They look great and are beautifully simple. :)

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  3. They're a lovely variation. Well done!

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  4. I like the way you have used book pages it works well and something i would never have thought to do. They're lovely

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  5. These look great! I am a beginner and still getting to grips with my sewing machine, so this is a great project to try. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Great tutorial, lovely project. They look so pretty hanging up. I wonder if you could do heart bunting?
    Thanks for sharing. Ali x

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  7. What a lovely simple project but with a very effective outcome :)

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  8. A great project. Good way to use up smaller scraps

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  9. That is so adorable! I can't wait to try it!

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  10. So cute and lovely!! thanks for sharing!

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  11. Such a cute project and a great handmade gift! thanks for the post!! Now....to figure out how to use the sewing machine ;-)

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  12. Fantastic - thank you for sharing x

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  13. Hi,
    like your ideas.As a beginner i can not
    go difficult craft.I am six and half month pregnant and not going to my job and no money to buy a gift.But i can and like to give them a hand made craft.
    i choose your hanging heart. it is lovely and very suitable for my idea.
    Now I am making a Hanging Heart as a wedding anniversary gift for my parents.
    thank you for your lovely craft
    Maya

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  14. I have to try this tutorial, thanks a lot for sharing.

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  15. What does the back look like?

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Thanks so much for your comment - every single one is appreciated and I do read them all.