How to sew fabric heart decorations: free heart sewing pattern

With Valentines Day fast approaching, we’ve got a quick and easy DIY gift idea for you to make! Learn how to make a fabric heart decoration with our video tutorial, step-by-step guide and free heart sewing pattern.

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All you need for this super speedy project is a small piece of fabric, our downloadable pattern below, some ribbon and toy stuffing plus a few sewing basics like scissors and a needle and thread.

You can make your hearts with our without a sewing machine and give them as gifts or use them to brighten up a cosy corners in your home. Whip up a batch and these easy peasy fabric heart decorations will make lovely anniversary or wedding decor too.

How to sew fabric heart decorations

You will need:

• Assorted fabric scraps 6in x 12in
• Decorative ribbon
• Polyester toy filling or stuffing
• Basic sewing kit

Finished Size

About 4in

Try this: For a fragrant alternative to polyester filling use dried lavender instead.

Free heart sewing pattern

Step 1

Trace the heart from the Free heart sewing pattern template on to paper and cut out (print the template at 100% size, or you could even draw your own!). Use a pen to trace the heart on to the wrong sides of your fabric scraps and cut out.

Step 2

Cut a length of ribbon and place onto the right side of one side the heart as shown.

Place the second side on top with the wrong side facing you. Pin all around the edges of the heart, catching the ends of the ribbon in place as you do so. Ensure that the raw ends of the ribbon are sticking out at the centre of the heart.

Step 3

Using a small stitch length, machine or hand stitch all around the edges of the heart, leaving a small opening at one of the sloping sides.

Step 4

Cut small snips from the outer edge towards the seam along the curves. This will help to keep the edges smooth when turning.

Step 5

Turn the heart right sides out and use your fingers to ease the curves gently into the right shape. Press with a warm iron then fill with stuffing.

Step 6

Close the opening with a few small hand stitches, and your fabric heart decorations are finished! Give them to the one you love (or keep them for yourself – we would!).

Savvy sewing with fabric scraps

If you’ve enjoyed making these sweet fabric hearts and are looking for more ways to get creative with your fabric scraps, check out our how to make a fabric flower brooch tutorial.

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Alice Hadley

Alice is the former Editor of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine and is obsessed with all things quilt-related. She’s worked with a whole host of the world’s leading quilt designers. You can often find her flicking through the very latest fabric collections or testing out exciting new notions. She’s also the office EPP queen, stitching her way (slowly!) to gorgeous quilts with impeccably embroidered details. Unusually for a quilter, Alice operates a no-scraps-allowed policy at home and curates a very modest fabric stash.

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