This is a lovely wee hand stitching project that can be done very quickly and easily.
We love all things lavender in our house and use lavender essential oil in quite a few ways. I thought it added an extra touch to the hanging heart but if you don’t have any lavender or lavender oil about then you can just leave that aspect out. It is a perfect addition for a little corner of your home or to give as a gift.
Keep reading to find out how…
You’ll need:
// 2 small squares of fabric, thread, needle, stuffing, a ribbon (this is one that I cut from a top after I had bought it…I keep all those wee ribbons for things just like this!!!) and lavender (pieces, oil or both!)
// Cut out the shape of a heart…fold a piece of paper in half and cut one half of the heart shape, this means your finished stencil will be completely symmetrical.
// Cut around your 2 pieces of fabric.
// Fold the ribbon in half and pin to the right side of one of the hearts with the loop facing down.
// Place the other heart facing down, so that the 2 pieces are right sides together, and pin.
// Starting along one of the long sides, back stitch around the shape of the fabric, leaving about a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a gap of an inch to allow you to turn the heart right side round (as above).
// You’ll notice, if you look carefully, that I corrected some of my stitches that I felt weren’t in line. This is completely fine as it is the inner stitching that will give the finished shape. Remember that it’s hand stitched so these little quirks will add to the charm!!
// If you run out of thread simply knot and start again.
// Push the fabric through the gap and press.
// Fill with the stuffing and lavender. (If you are going to add a few drops of lavender essential oil then drop onto the stuffing. This lets it dry a little before pushing it into the heart and so it doesn’t stain the fabric.)
// Carefully slip stitch the opening closed.
// Before you knot and cut your ends, check around your seams and if you feel there are any stitches that are gaping or too loose, this is the point to add a little strength by slip stitching these gaps closed.
// When you are happy, knot off your thread, feed your needle back through the heart and snip the thread where it comes out of the fabric. This means you don’t have any ends showing and that the stuffing will catch the thread and make the finishing knot a little stronger.
// Now go hang it anywhere you choose!!!
