I was thinking that the house looked a little bare after taking down the Christmas decorations, so I decided to make some easy fabric hearts to add some color and to get ready for Valentine's Day.
I tried to go with a winter theme by leaving out some of my decorated and painted pine cones, but it's awfully hard to get that winter feel when the temperatures have been almost 80 degrees for the past few days!
And since I was craving some color, I made a bunch of these easy to make fabric hearts!
These hearts are easy to make because you don't need a sewing machine! Don't they put you in the mood for Valentine's Day?
How to make easy fabric hearts
To make these hearts, you will need an assortment of fabrics. I used some red and white burlap that I had left over from some other projects, a tea towel, and a few new fabrics that I bought at Hobby Lobby.
Step 1
I cut out a heart from paper to use as a tracer. Then I marked and cut out some squares of fabric. I made my squares 5 ½ inches by 5 ½ inches. Don't forget to double your fabric because you need a front and back for your hearts!
Step 2
Trace around the paper heart onto your fabric. I used a pen to lightly trace mine onto the fabric. Then I hand-stitched around the heart, leaving a hole so that I could stuff some polyfill into the heart.
Step 3
After I stuffed it, I finished sewing up the heart.
Step 4
You can see that process a little better in this photo! When I made some hearts from burlap, I used embroidery thread since it is much thicker, and I stuffed the red one with an old, fuzzy red sock!
Step 5
To finish the heart, I cut around the edges with pinking shears.
Step 6
Arrange the hearts as you wish. They look great in my dough bowl!
Optional
I embellished one of the hearts with a little lace, and I even started making some different sizes.
There was something very comforting about hand stitching these hearts, and I was thinking that this would be a great project to teach young ones how to sew.
Of course, I had to see how they would look in my little red tool box hanging out on my red table on the front porch. So cute, so I'm off to the store tomorrow to buy a few buttons and other things to do some further embellishing. And I'm thinking that I'm going to make some more of these easy to make fabric hearts!
Christine
I love this idea. Since reading/seeing this, I have already made three! They are easy to work on while watching TV. I did want to ask... what type of stitch did you make when sewing them up? I have been using a quilting thread and doing a backstitch. I was just wondering what stitch you used? Thanks <3
Charlene Tate
These look so darn cute. I’ll be making these and putting some potpouri inside. Great for friends.
Maribeth Boettler
This idea is wonderful. I plan to make one for each of my 2nd grade students to give on Valentines Day. It will be a nice remembrance of our school year, I hope.
Jennifer
These are adorable! I’m adding a string to each and they will go on a Christmas tree in our dining room, only taking down the Christmas decor from it. We like it up for the light during the darker months and these hearts will be perfect for keeping it up a bit longer. Thanks for sharing!
Jillian
Would be cute to make a garland to hang up with these or use your baby clothes for a keepsake! So cute, thanks for the idea!
Alexander Mo
This is amazing! I'm gonna make these and surprise the wifey for our 2nd year "cotton" anniversary! She crafts but I don't, so this would be so special. Thank you for teaching a non-crafter how to craft!!
Susan
Your hearts are adorable! Thank you for sharing. I'm going to make a sample today and then when my granddaughters visit soon, we can make more together. You had a great idea 🙂
Camelia
Very cute idea. I will share with my 7 yr old Grandaughter.
Annajean Arbogast
I did a modified version of these, using my machine as my 6nyear granddaughter traced the heart, I sewed, then cut the heart with picking shears. She stuffed them and I closed them up on the machine. Then she embelished them with buttons.
Kate
Great idea for us non-sewers!
Mrs.P
I have always made my heart and then turn them inside out I never thought to use pinking shears to finish the shape. Good job.
Lorilyn
These are lovely. Using tea towels and burlap are great ideas. What stitch did you use? Just a back-stitch? And stuffing with an old sock is very resourceful.
Could make nice potpourri drawer fresheners as well.
Adding lace was also a pretty addition. Thanks for sharing!
Debbie
Sooo cute
Teresa
Thanks so much for sharing this! My father-in-law passed a year ago, and I saved some of his shirts to do some projects with. We've decided that my 11 year old is going to make little heart ornaments out of them for herself and her two sisters, my husband and me, and my FIL's girlfriend. I think your tutorial will be perfect for her to follow!
Mary Guizar
Look these fabric hearts ,thanks so much.
Jenny
Love your recipes and ideas but the ads are a terrible nuisance.
Terry
Love your hearts and yes Inhand sew everything just about. Pumpkins are right up my ally, please share..
Karen Koehler
These are great. I’m in the process of making some now. I’m not a good sewer, so they probably won’t be finished for Valentine’s Day. I have seen some embellished with buttons and bows as well.
Terese
I put together crafts for a young Mom's group and these will be fun. Easy directions and they turn out so pretty. Thank you for sharing.
Debbie
Love it, cannot wait to try making them. Your directions were very clear. Thank you for sharing💗
Julie
They are beautiful. Thankyou for this great tutorial. I’m going to give it a go.
Julie
Carol Currence
I love this idea and the directions were very clear ! I’m off to the fabric store!!
Pat
I love these! So cute! What stitch did you use to sew around the heart! ♥️
Sheila
If I mail you the material and money would you make some for me? I have some sentimental material. Plus I cannot sew at all. Tried the iron on stuff...doesn't look good at all. Thank you, Sheila
Jane Windham
Sheila, as much as I'd like to, I cannot complete your request. If you show this post to anyone who can sew with a needle and thread, they can make the hearts for you.
Brenda
Sheila- I make fabric hearts. You can view these on my website: herrbirdfrenzy.com
Gwen
You could try Liquid Stitch which is a permanent fabric adhesive. You use it where your stitching would go. They have it in most stores in the fabric section. It comes under several different names. Hope it works for you.
Donna Williams
Sheila just checking to see if you have found someone to make you, your hearts. If not, my email is below and you can send me an email and I'll respond to you. Just put in subject: Material hearts.
Jane Windham
Donna, that is so sweet of you to offer to make the hearts. I have sent your email address along to her. Our readers are the BEST!
Chris Wyrick
Just found this sweet little project. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with all of us out here! Happy New Year 2021!
Idie
Jane, your little hearts was such a great idea for my heart weathe that I am making, I was debating what to use to decorate my weathe and your hearts is the best! I have a lot of scrap material and lace ! So excited to get started! Sincerely thank you ! Idie
Stefanie
Thanks for sharing. I’d love to make some heart ornaments for my family in memory of a loved one. I am new to sewing though. What type of stitch do you do for this?
Thank you!!
Jane Windham
Stefanie, I use a basic running stitch when making the hearts. If you are unsure how to do that, look for a video on YouTube.
Christine Duval
I just looked up, there is a water soluble marker. Before I fill, I can wash it.
Babychaser
I love these! I think I will use them for my daughters to learn/ practice their sewing. They are almost 6 and 10. What a fun and festive project! Thanks for sharing!
Jane Windham
You're right! This is a perfect project for teaching someone how to sew!
Laura P.
I can’t see where to leave an original comment just a reply...sorry! Anyway I see you trace the heart shape onto the fabric using a blue pen. But wouldn’t you be able to still see that tracing even after it is sewn? Am I missing something? Thanks for your tutorial!
Jane Windham
Your stitches will cover most of the tracing.
Sara
Or use a pen with disappearing ink when it’s ironed, or chalk.
Christine
How do you get the ink mark out?
Kathy A
These are adorable and are a great "stash buster" for scraps that I think are too big to throw away!
mary ward
This is a great idea! I have some shirts of family members that have passed away that I want to. Make pillows from. Thank You!! ♥️
Sunny Shuping
I made these fabric hearts for our daughter's wedding last September (2016) and everyone loved them! I made little tags on them that said "Thanks for joining us for the best day of our lives! Rebecca and Philip, September 17, 2016." Everyone loved them. They were such a hit, I made more for my close friends with Christmas fabric as gifts; and then, while I was on a roll, I made some for Valentine's Day with cute "hearty" fabric. I have to say I absolutely love these. Thank you for sharing your talent with us Sunny Shuping.
Carole
Que c'est joli et simple à la fois ! Merci pour cette chouette idée !
It is so nice and easy ! Thanks a lot for such a beautiful idea !
Carole, FRANCE 😉
Marlene Stephenson
These are really cute and easy,what a brilliant idea. Thank you.
Maureen the Budget Queen
Love the way you displayed your little hearts in the dough bowl on the table. I have been making felt hearts, I made some for Christmas. I made mine with holly leaves and buttons for berries. I put a white stitche4d snowflake on my girlfriends, stitched with wool, to give it that Scandi look. I make mine while watching tv at night, to keep my hands busy, so they are not into chips or popcorn! I like that you cut the heart after sewing which will work well for the fabric ones. I am inspired to make the cloth ones now after seeing yours! I use a rotary cutter with a pinking blade on it to cut mine as I have a difficult time with pinking shears, tendonitis in my hand and wrist. While you have 80 degrees we are hovering around zero and it is snowing like crazy. We have more snow than in 37 years!
Jane Windham
Maureen, I would have to find something to occupy myself if we had all that snow, too! And thanks for sharing that great idea of using a rotary cutter to cut out the hearts!
brandy
Thanks for sharing..
Gretchen
This is such a fun project and I think I'll begin with the hearts and maybe add them to a wreath!
Jill
Thank you for your excellent directions and photos. I hope to make some this weekend. All I have to do is borrow a pair of pinking scissors.
Jane P
Your hearts are adorable, I'm inspired and think even I can make these. Thanks so much! Love these!
Betty Brooke
Thank you ! I needed something creative to do for Valentine's Day and your post fit the bill. Love this! Have a beautiful weekend!
Pat C.
Oh, these are adorable... the pinked edge is so sweet! And I love the No Sewing Machine Required part! Thank you so much.: ) xoxo
rita
I love how you made your hearts. so easy and something you can do anywhere. thanks for the tutorial.
Mrs. Sarah Coller
These are adorable! I've been trying to come up with a special party favor idea for my daughter's 13th birthday tomorrow afternoon...I wonder if I could get 12 of these made today? Ha! Beautiful! I've got a link up going, if you're interested in showing off your project to my readers!
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Stephany Hyder
These are so stink'n adorable! I was just trying last night to sew some on my sewing machine and I was not having much luck. I am new to the whole sewing machine deal. But, these are definitely worth trying tomorrow or this weekend. I really thank you for sharing a great tutorial. I love all the fabric choices you chose too. ♥
Wonderful Job!
Happy early Friday!
Stephany @ Stephany Quinn [stephanyhyder.blogspot.com]
Angela
Thank you for posting this. I have 3 girls (9,9, &7) and I think this is the perfect project for them to work on their beginner sewing skills! Can't wait to enjoy this with them.
Betty
Hi Jane,
I love you adorable hearts. And I just found your blog. I'm a new follower and looking forward to visiting again.
xo
Betty
betty
Thanks Jane...just what I was looking for. I'm your new follower! Hope you'll visit me too.
I'm going to get started on these this week...
Miss Kitty
Hi Jane! Your little hearts are so very cute! I want to make some. Are you and Leo coming back to Haven in August? I hope so. I saw your post over at Savvy Southern Style.
Carol
These are just adorable, Jane! I just adore that little touch of "homespun."
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage
I Heart these! Wish I could sew! The striped one reminds me of grain sack and they look great all piled up in that dough bowl.
Kelly
Suzy @ Worthing Court
These are so stinkin' cute, Jane! I especially love them in the dough bowl.
Kathleen
Very pretty, Jane! The house does look so bare after all the Cmas things come down.
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose
Jane, these are cute little hearts!
Keeping It Cozy
Those are so cute! What a fun project. I love the combination of fabrics.
Mary
These are adorable Jane! I love your combination of fabrics and cheery colors! I'm in desperate need of color and sunshine with all our rain!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
Perfect little hearts for bowl filling. Cute.
Happier Than A Pig in Mud
Your hearts really turned out cute! So colorful and cheerful-enjoy:@)
Jamie
These are adorable! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm a new follower 😉
Linda
Hi Jane, I LOVE your hearts!! I am considering making some too for a Valentine's Day luncheon with the girlfriends--and have been worrying about the edges fraying. I think I'll go ahead now that I've seen yours! Linda
sandy
Such sweet little hearts and so easy to make.
Thanks for sharing.
Sandy
Michele
I'm making pillow hearts tomorrow. So glad I saw yours, sew sweet! I will remember my pinking shears)
Jana
Jane,
Love the little hearts! So sew cute!!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs
Oh Jane...how pretty are those!!...I love them...I love how you have the rougher edges around the hearts....They look great in your dough bowl!!...
Glenda Childers
These are so colorful and fun. What a great project, Jane.
Fondly,
Glenda
Jen
SO cute!! Thank for sharing!!
Kris
What a brilliant idea! The fabric is very cheerful and brightens up your spirits time of year plus Valentine's Day is just around the corner. It's a nice and easy and you don't have to have a sewing machine.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Pam
Those are adorable. I love that you don't have to sew them inside out and figure out how to flip them around and then baste them. So much easier!
Jean Windham
So cute, I absolutely love them. You are so right about everything looking drab after all the decorations came down but the red really brightens things up. Thanks for sharing how to make the valentines and I love them placed in the dough bowl. Jean
Ann
Oh my gosh...I love them all laid out in that dough bowl! Brilliant too that you trim after you have finished the heart. Thanks for your comment on my weight loss post. At our age trying to stay fit is almost like the impossible dream. It's just so hard. Go0d luck with whatever you have planned! I almost forgot...I agree about stitching something by hand. It is very comforting!
Danni@SiloHillFarm
Oh my goodness! I love these! I want to make a whole basket full of them! Thank you for the great tutorial.....I'm inspired!
Vickie
These are so cute! Now I have got to go get my fabric stash out and try this.
Linda@Coastal Charm
Jane,
These are just darling! Hope your week is going go for ya:)
Blessings,
Linda
Kathy
I made a couple of burlap hearts using the sewing machine. I think I'll try your way! That's a wonderful idea! I love the edges cut with pinking shears!
Grace @ sense and simplicity
They're adorable. I have a thing for hearts.
michelle
I love these. I really like them in the red box with the dollies. So cute.
Dolly Sarrio
So cute Jane!
Gina
Those are so darn cute! Cheerful too!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
They are perfect, Jane! I need a dough bowl...I think I am going to make some of these cute little fabric hearts. Kate will probably steal them for her American Girl dolls 😉
Maria
How pretty! I love all the hearts and all the different fabrics and patterns! So cute!
Moni ~ Zu Haus at Home
Jane, I love how your cheerful hearts fill up the dough bowl. Fun fabric choices...beautiful!
Dawn
Jane, those are adorable. I want them all. The fabric choices are perfect and the dough bowl fits right in. Thanks for linking up at the Cabin.:)
Pam
Very cute Jane! I love how colorful they are. And thansk for the tutorial. I'll definitely have to go through my fabric and try these.
Have a great day.
Pam