Love Notes Tutorial

Well, here it is, as promised! I'm really sorry it's taken me so long but, I like to take detailed pictures for my tutorials and therefore it takes me a bit of time to orchestrate and finish. I hope you enjoy my efforts!

Love Note Pillow

by Kimbery Walus

Just a few details before you begin. The heart can be made into any size you choose. The one pictured is 8 inches across at it's widest point and 6 inches from the "V" at the top of the heart to the point at the bottom. I just took a regular 8 1/2" x 11" piece of white paper and folded it in half lengthwise. Then I just cut out a heart. You can make your heart long and slender or shorter and wider. The process will remain the same just the measurements will be different.

I've also included hearts I made for each one of my kids out of decorator fabrics. The pillows work just like a "Valentine Card Mailbox" and can be hung on a chair, a doorknob, a bedpost, or tied to your stair banister. You will also see a Valentine Card I made today to show you how it works. Just stick your "Love Notes" in the pocket of the heart pillow. The smaller hearts I made for friends and family.

My Valentine "Love Note" slips into the pocket of the pillow.

Here's a closer look!

Here's what you'll need to make the Love Note Pillow.

• Cut 2 hearts out of a red fabric.
• Cut 1 piece of fabric for for the pocket (it's approximately 3 inches up from point of heart).
• Cut 1 pocket border strip @ 2 1/2" by width of heart (cut just a little bigger and trim excess after sewing it on the pocket making sure to follow the curve of the heart).
• Cut One 12" piece of grosgrain ribbon to hang the pillow.
• Cut One 9" piece of white Ric-Rac (or more if you make your pillow bigger).
• 3 Strands of Pink or Red Embroidery Floss to sew on the Ric-Rac.
  

Make sure to sew on the pocket to the right side of one of the hearts. Secure top edges of the pocket by back tacking. Tie knots in the ribbon and back tack in place.

Make sure the ribbon is evenly spaced before continuing.

With right sides together put the two hearts together.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew around the heart starting just before the point and finish leaving enough room to turn right side out. A three finger measurement should be ample. Also, make sure to sew over the ribbons a back and forth to give it extra strength. The same goes for the edges of the pocket.

Before turning the pillow right side out make sure to clip your points and curves then turn and press the heart.

Lightly stuff the heart making sure not to over-stuff. You'll want enough give in the pocket area to put a "Love Note" and a Valentine treat or two inside for that special someone.

Here are a few pictures of the larger ones I made for my family. I used decorator fabric, tassels, cording, braided trim, ribbons, and a metal scrapbook buckle (by Creating Memories) at the center of the bows.







I've hung two of the pillows on the sconces in my dining room. They look really cute there and I may have to leave them there permanently. My husband didn't seem to mind having them hang there. He's become more of a neat freak as he's gotten older too so extra clutter doesn't stay around very long. We finally got the last of the Christmas things put away after work on Friday. It felt so good to have it done and that's why I had all day to work on this tutorial. I enjoyed sewing, organizing, making Valentine Cards, and working on a few other projects, too!!!

Have a great Sunday and holiday on Monday. I'm hoping to sew on Monday too!!!