Lucky Heart Bowl Filler

If this project interests you, you might also want to check out this one for Valentine's Day (and more details and tips!) - Hearts & Crafts Project #5 - Bowl Fillers: What do they do? 
OR this one for a back that can be used to insert a sachet: Project #2 Hearts & Crafts: Heart Sachet

Materials Needed:
Heart Base: (2) 6.5" wool squares.
Small Heart: (1) 4" square cotton.
Quiltsmart Interfacing: 1 large heart from one panel of Sweet Hearts - the small heart in the middle will also be used.
Pillow stuffing* (See tip below.)
Matching or contrasting thread.





INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Cut fabrics according to list above.

2) Place interfacing rough side (glue dot side) to WRONG side of SMALL heart fabric.
The large heart interfacing will hang over the small heart fabric.
 











3)  Cut a small slit along the dashed line of the straight part of the heart.  I used a rotary cutter to make the slit. Then, continue cutting out the SMALL heart on the dashed line with small sharp scissors.   





This will free the large heart. Set aside the small heart.












4) Fuse the large heart, using an applique pressing sheet (the Quiltsmart one is lightweight and easy to see through!), to the wrong side of the fabric. It is not shown here, but it does help!  If you don't use one, be careful not to shrink up the interfacing with a "too-hot" iron.








5) Put a small slit in the large heart wool within the small heart space.  Leave a bit of margin. The small heart will be covering this slit.

6) You might want to match your thread to your wool for this step.  Wool can be an open weave and if pulled or stretched (you are going to stuff it), the color of thread might show.  

Sandwich the (2) 6.5" squares together.








 
Stitch around the heart with a 2.0mm stitch.













7) Cut on the dashed line through all thicknesses.

8) Stuff the large heart.

*TIP:  If you need stuffing - you might find it in an unused pillow form.  Some are a solid foam which won't work well, but some are stuffed with exactly what you might want.  I like the fluffy stuff as shown here.







9) Whip-stitch the slit shut.

10) Position & fuse the small heart over the slit of the large heart. Using a straight stitch or any other decorative hand embroidery stitch, insert the needle through the small heart.  Moving the needle in and out of the large heart fabric, stitch the small heart in position.

To accent the heart, I used 6 strands of embroidery floss to hand-stitch a long stitch.  
Use your bowl filler for a needle holder, a pin cushion, or for a bowl filler!

Much love,
Mattie