If there's one thing I like as well as paper crafting, it's sewing and stitching. This week in the CLASSroom it's been all about sewing and stitching and some super fabulous Memory Box dies. I just couldn't wait to jump on board and create!
It was the perfect time to use this beautiful Memory Box die set that I'd been hoarding in my craft stash. It's called Plush Heart Pocket and it's by Memory Box. I love how it makes a darling little ornament or pillow. I had so much fun creating this sweet project and it's so soft and tactile that I just can't stop touching it.
As you can see it has lots of little bits and pieces that you can use to make a heart pocket but you can also use each of these dies alone. And if you don't like to sew...no worries! These sweet dies are perfect just die-cut from paper.
I used these three colors of felt that are from the Taylored Expressions Felt Bundles in Neutrals, Greens and Aquas. I absolutely LOVE this felt and I've been a fan of it for such a long time.
To create the heart, I started off by die-cutting the felt pieces. You'll need two large hearts (front and back), one pocket and then as many little die-cut leaves and petals as you wish. I'm using some off-white embroidery floss that I had on hand but you can also use twine or a very fine ribbon as well. Lots of possibilities!
When you are embroidering the heart, it's best to do it on the layers before the heart is put together. I started off by placing the pocket over the panel to see where it would sit once sewn together. I wanted it to appear as if the flowers were popping out of the pocket. I've also added in a few little french knot accents for extra texture.
Then I moved onto the little pocket area. I left out some embellishments I wanted to work with. Some of them made the cut and some I've saved for another project. I decided to keep it to just monochromatic buttons on the pocket to really allow the felt flowers to be the star of the show.
All this stitching might seem like a lot but truthfully, it whipped together in no time. Once all the embellishing is finished it was time to stitch it all together. I started up by lining up all three layers. Make sure you do this carefully or you'll end up with it lopsided. Stitching through all the layers is easy with the pre-punched holes for you to follow exact spacing. There's so many different stitches you could use to stitch it up like a whip stitch or a blanket stitch but I liked the look of a very simple straight stitch. Just in and out. Up and down.
When stitching it up, leave an opening for the stuffing before you finish.
Just slide a small amount of stuffing or Poly-Fil into the heart. You don't need much and if you push in too much you can start to distort the stitching. Finish stitching the opening closed.
And that's it. Your heart is done, complete with a little pocket. I've decided to give mine to my mother-in-law for her birthday with a little jewelry piece tucked into the pocket. If you have a wedding in the future, wouldn't this also make a darling ring bearer's pillow?!
Thanks so much for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Have a fabulous and creative weekend!
Julia
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