Creating an inset heart with finished edge tutorial

{Warning...wordy intro, please indulge me!}



I'm in the middle of making Valentines pouches for my kids.  In between doctors visits, school out, and such, it's been a slow process.  I'm glad I hadn't gotten too far, because there have been so many cute things out in the crafty ranks.  Let me walk you through a little history first. 

I bought the Love Pouch pattern from Melissa last year, and found fabric on sale after Valentines, so this has been a long time coming.

Image via Fourteen May

Kalleen posted her darling pouches, and I knew I had to do a meld of the two patterns.

via Second Street

Next, Kalleen posted more inspiration, and I fell in love with this idea on Our Scoop.

via Our Scoop

Completely enamored by the inset heart, I wanted to do something similar, but with fabric and not felt.  Finally, Vanessa has this darling pillow...and I was hooked.

via V & Co

The only thing is, I didn't want the rough edge on my hearts.  So, after such a long introduction, here's my solution. 

To make an inset heart, you'll need:

• Outer fabric
• 4" square of iron-on interfacing
• Matching thread
• Contrasting fabric
• Sewing tools, including scissors, machine, iron and ironing board.
• Plus, a heart template of your choosing.  I drew mine on some cardstock.

{Tiny disclaimer, practice this once or twice on scraps to make sure you've got the technique down.}
Step one.  Trace the heart on to the interfacing, adhesive side up.  This won't work unless you have the iron-on dots going to the back. 

Step Two.  Identify where you want to place the heart, and pin in place.  Mine is two inches from the bottom and centered.   You are sewing the interfacing to the right side of your fabric, with flat side of the interfacing against the fabric (dots facing out).

Step three.  Sew around the tracing line.  Be sure you are using a locking stitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

I recommend using a shorter stitch length, just to keep this really tight.  On my machine, I used a 2, rather than the 3 I usually use for topstitching.

Step four. Using your sharp scissors, cut into the middle of the heart.  Then trim all the edges. 

Clipping curves allows for easy manipulation of the interfacing when you pull it to the back. You'll also need to clip the outer interfacing at the dent at the top of the heart, and point at the bottom of the heart.

Step five.  Tuck the interfacing to the back side of the fabric, and iron in place.  

When you get to the indent at the top of the heart, and point at the bottom, work one side at a time.  

Step six.  Add contrasting fabric.   First, iron in place.

You can use a few pins, to hold things together if you choose.  Just be sure to remove them before you sew over them. 

All done!  

This would be a fun way to add detail to not just a Valentine's pouch,  but other projects from clothing to pillows.  Have fun with it.  I'll show you how our Valentine's pouches end up when I get them done this weekend.'

UPDATE: I finished up the Valentine's Pouches. You can see them HERE.

Featured on Craft Gossip,  Be Different Act Normal,  Whimsy Couture, and Sew What's New!

Sharing with Creation Corner, Freckled Laundry, Kojo Designs, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal,  Along for the Ride, and The Girl Creative.