Sunday, January 18, 2009

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!!!

26 comments:

Betsy said...

Kim that pillow is just darling! Thank you for sharing it with your readers.

Kathy said...

What an adorable pillow. THank you for the tutorial!!!

Karen said...

Cute hearts. Espically love the red/pink fabrics;)

Nedra said...

You alaways make the cutest things! How do you do it? Thanks for the great tutorial. It makes me want to get all ready for Valentines Day.

Ruby said...

I've been a lurker for awhile now. I want to thank you so much for your wonderful tutorials. Your hearts are all just adorable!

Trisha said...

What a cute pillow, Kim! Thanks for the tutorial. Adorable!

Nanette Merrill said...

Oh Kim this is such a cute idea. I love it. What a sweet mom/wife you are. I think the hearts are amazing.

CJ said...

SOOO cute! Thanks for the tutorial!! I am going to make one for my college girl and a more 'manly' one for my son.
What are those candies that are sprinkled around?? I have never seen those before.

Busy Little Quilter said...

How adorable! I love these! I've been in the valentine making mood! I'll put this tutorial on my sidebar and tell everyone to come and see!

Thanks for the tutorial, and, yes, I love them and appreciate them so much!

Fran said...

Thanks a lot for the idea, Belinda from Brown Dirt Cottage sent me here when I complained of not having any new ideas...this is really a cute heart and looks so easy to do. Easy...that's the best!! Now to the fabric cupboard...

~~Fran...:c)

Liz said...

Those are so cute. I love the way they look hanging in your house.

Thimbleanna said...

Ooooh Cah-Ute!!! Those are adorable Kim. Thanks for sharing!!!

ferne said...

Love the idea! I am thinking some of this with batting instead of stuffing and strung together from the sides for a banner on my window. All hearts and flowers welcoming love and spring!

I'd better get to work. Thanks for the inspiration!

Browndirtcottage said...

These are just lovely Kim...and I know tutorials are not easy and I appreciate your time and effort in sharing with us!

Pamie G. said...

Kim -- sooo cute! Thank you so much for sharing it with your blogging friends! Pamie G.

Yarn Devil said...

Neat pillow! Thanks!

Nuts To You! said...

Thank you for this! I really want to make one for my secret sister!

FeatherBunkle said...

I love this--how great for teacher's gifts!!

Unknown said...

WOW! What a fun giveaway. I just posted about it on my blog and I'll create a side bar link for it.

Amy said...

how darling, I am glad I found your blog.thanks for sharing, Amy

Nan said...

I came to visit from Kim's Big Quilting Adventures blog. What an adorable project! Thank you for the "recipe"!!!

Elsa said...

thank you so much for sharing ... was wondering what I was going to make for Valentines and here it is! love this! oh, found you on the Moda blog!

Anonymous said...

How sweet! Thank you so much for doing a tutorial, I know that they are a lot of work!

HerzBlatt said...

I love your hearts very much!!! I love your whole blog and everything you have sewed...
May I link you on my blog?? I would like to visit your blog now regularily....
Best wishes from Germany
Iris

BJ and Amber said...

How adorable! I can't wait to make these...and I love your site and all the fun ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Rettabug said...

♥♥♥ your little heart note pillow! Thank you for the nice tutorial. I put it on Pinterest, so others could learn from it. I never would have thought to tie knots in the ribbons!