Scrappy Fabric Hearts

Share some love in your community by making these scrappy fabric hearts, and leaving them for others to find. This is a fun and inexpensive way to brighten someone’s day with a little reminder that they are loved.

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How to Make Scrappy Fabric Hearts

These little hearts are a great way to use up your leftover fabric scraps. They’re meant to look scrappy and imperfect, so feel free to use whatever supplies you have on hand.

Image contains three scrappy fabric hearts; two pink and red, and one purple, on a white table top.

Materials

fabric scraps
scissors
batting
sewing machine and thread
ribbon
tags

Instructions

Cut your scraps into strips that are between 1” – 1 1/2” wide and sew together.

Feel free to mix different colors, patterns, and widths.

Image contains five purple fabric strips of various patterns sewn together to form a rectangle.

Cut into heart shapes that are approximately 3 1/2” (or whatever size you like).

You can freehand the hearts, or create a little pattern to trace.

Image contains Amy’s hand holding a heart pattern on top of the sewn fabric strips.

Cut a heart shaped piece of batting and place it under your fabric heart.

Put the two layers on top of a piece of backing fabric. Sew around the edges of the heart, securing all three layers together.

I use the sewing machine for this step, but you could also hand sew if you prefer.

Image contains two heart shaped fabric pieces on top of a larger backing piece.

Cut around the heart shape to trim the backing fabric.

Add a ribbon hanger.

Sew or glue a loop of ribbon to the back of the heart.

Image contains Amy’s hand holding the fabric heart with the back facing up and a purple ribbon loop pinned in place.

Add a charm (optional) and a tag.

Our tags say, “Take me home as a reminder that you are LOVED!”

Image contains three completed scrappy fabric hearts on a white table. Two are red/pink, and one is purple.

All that’s left to do is hang these hearts in public spaces in your community where others can find and claim them!

Image contains a red and pink fabric heart hanging in a pine tree.

We like to put ours along walking trails, in parks, on trees near the library or local shops, and at the pond. Even my dad gets in on the fun!

Image contains a man hanging a scrappy fabric heart in a pine tree.

Crafting Tips

Try combining different colors and patterns of fabric to create unique hearts!
It’s ok if your hearts are different sizes rather than all being the same.
You can keep creating and sharing these long after Valentine’s Day; feel free to share love all year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did you get your fabric?

We use fabric scraps that are left over from other projects. Originally, most of it came from Missouri Star Quilt Company. You can save 25% on any fabric (or other) order at MSQC using this link.

Where do I hide the hearts?

We try to stay on public property, in places like parks, playgrounds, common areas in neighborhoods, walking trails, etc. Try hanging them on tree limbs or bushes, putting them on benches, and wherever else someone will notice them.

What should the tag say?

Anything you want! Ours invites the finder to “take me home as a reminder that you’re loved.” This gives them permission to take the heart rather than just leaving it for others to see.

More Valentine Projects

If you enjoyed this project, check out these other Valentine craft ideas!