{DIY Valentine's Decor...Crochet Heart Garland}

Hi friends! I hope you've had a fabulous week! Things have been pretty quiet on the blog the last few days, but I'm back to share a super cute garland I made for our mantle!

 I just love how it came together!

 I tried A LOT of heart tutorials before finding one that I really liked. This was the clear winner. You can find it HERE.

 I used a mix of traditional Valentine's Day colors and threw in some non traditional colors too like gray and turquoise. I also used two different sizes of hearts in the garland to mix things up a bit. Each heart is stitched onto the garland at two points making sure they are secure. I've seen some garlands that just have hearts strung on a length of yarn, but I like this method better. You can find the tutorial for the chain HERE.

 I plan on using this sweet thing for years to come!

{Hearts On A Chain Crochet Heart Garland}

Love it, but don't' want to make your own? Well you're in luck because I have 10 listed in the shop! Hurry and snag one before they're gone!

Happy stitching friends!

{Conversation Heart Coasters}

*This tutorial was posted on See Kate Sew on Tuesday, but just in case you missed it...here it is!*

{Conversation Heart Coasters}

They are so fun to make and include a little of everything…embroidery, appliqué, quilting…fun fun fun! Alrighty friends lets get to it!

Materials:

Canvas/linen {for tops}

solid cotton {for hearts}

printed cotton {far backing}

batting

little embroidery hoop

red embroidery thread

embroidery needles

basic sewing supplies

Marking Pen (disappearing/water soluble ink)

Fabric Glue

Heart Shaped Cookie cutter

1. Gather all your supplies.

2. Cut your squares. You need 4 each of the canvas, cotton, and batting. A 5 1/4” square makes a nice sized coaster.

3. Pick your conversation heart phrases to write. I chose Love, Be Mine, XOXO, and Dream. Write it on the fabric. Place fabric in hoop.

4. Now you are going to embroider your handwriting. Confession…I have never embroidered in my life so I kind of learned as I went. I am sure I am doing this wrong, but you can read the words and that’s what matters, right? I just did a little running stitch over my writing. It’s not perfect, but I think that adds to the character a bit!

5. Take the hoop off. Turn your work over and trace your heart shape with your cookie cutter. Make sure your writing is centered in the heart shape. Freehand this if you want to…I am not an artist thus the cookie cutter :P

6. Cut out your heart! Awwww, so cute!

7. Repeat these steps for the next 3 hearts.

8. {You can skip this step and just use pins, but I like a little extra insurance. You can also use some Heat N Bond or Wonder Under, but I was feeling lazy and busted out my trusty Liquid Stitch.} Place a fine line of glue around your shape.

9. Stick it down on the canvas.

10. Stitch down. You can use whatever appliqué stitch you like. Zig Zag, finish stitch, etc…but I just did some raw edge appliqué about an 1/8 of an inch from the edge. I like how it frays over time. Oh and if you have one, a clear foot helps to keep everything nice and pretty.

11. Once all your hearts are stitched down, you are ready to layer up and sew your coasters together! Batting first, then the top with the heart, then the backing.

12. I pin to prevent shifting. You don’t HAVE to.

13. Sew your coasters! For the rest of the process, I like to use my walking foot. Again, you don’t have to have a special foot, but if you have one it helps. I use it every time I sew something with batting because my machine has attitude about too many layers. Make sure you use a 1/4 seam allowance and leave a 2-3 inch opening for turning.

14. Clip your corners. Turn inside out. Poke the corners out nice and sharp. Press well. Pin opening closed.

15. Topstitch making sure to catch the opening.

And that’s it! A fun and simple project to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day!

They can be reversible too if you want to mix and match!

Blessings!