Sweet Memories Fabric Hearts

Fabric can be an incredibly sentimental thing when it’s connected to the people we love. That’s why we save things like the tiny outfits our children have long outgrown, or a shirt that belonged to our grandfather. Important pieces of clothing like wedding dresses as well as everyday things like dish towels, aprons, or a scarf can make us feel connected to a person and bring back treasured memories. Instead of leaving those things boxed up, here’s a way to turn them into a little piece of decor you can look at daily. These can be made and displayed anytime, but they also make a special Valentine gift.

You’ll need:

fabric (a piece of clothing, a scarf, dishtowels, an apron, baby clothes, a blanket, etc. that has a sentimental meaning)

scissors

needle and thread

ribbon (optional)

Poly Pellets or Poly-Fil

Step 1: Cut two identical heart shapes from your fabric.

These can be any size you like. I suggest cutting two squares of your fabric, placing them on top of each other (wrong sides together), and folding them in half. Then, either freehand or trace a pattern to cut half a heart shape.

This will give you two matching hearts. Now, find some thread that coordinates with the fabric.

Step 2: Sew around the edges of the hearts, leaving a 1″ opening.

You could do a machine stitch if you like, but something about the sentimental nature of this project made me want to do the sewing by hand. You can use any type of stitch you like; I did a whip stitch.

Step 3: Add filling, then sew shut.

I used Poly Pellets to fill my hearts, which are little weighted stuffing beads. This gives the hearts the feel of a beanbag, with some weight. If you prefer a lighter, fluffier heart, you can use regular Poly-Fil instead. Finish stitching around your heart and tie a knot to finish off.

Step 4: (optional) Add a bow.

Use coordinating ribbon, jute, or string to form a little bow. Then, glue or sew the bow on the front side of your heart.

That’s all there is to it. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have something like this to look at and hold than to keep those memories packed away in a box somewhere.

If you make some of these, I would love to see how they turn out and hear your special stories! Make sure you are part of the Amy Latta & Friends Facebook Group so you can share your photos and we can all be inspired. And, of course, don’t forget to check out my other holiday ideas for Valentine’s Day. Happy creating!