Scrappy Hearts
Valentine’s Day has proven to be a great excuse to use up red and pink scraps from my stash, and not just scraps, but tiny scraps – which usually aren’t my jam.
A while back, I bought a few plain sweatshirts from Walmart just waiting for the opportunity to adorn them with something quilty. This was the perfect project for my royal blue one.
What You Need to Get Started
- a bunch of red and pink scraps
- a heart cookie cutter
- alphabet stencil
- fabric marking pen
- stabilizer, like EZ-tee
- cutting, sewing, ironing supplies
Getting Started
I began by cutting a square of coordinating background color fabric (red) slightly larger than the cookie cutter. I used this as a foundation to begin stitch-n-flip piecing.
Begin by placing a small fabric scrap in the middle-ish of the square. Stitch another scrap to one side of the center scrap, then flip over and finger press in place. Continue like this, stitching and flipping, until most of the square is finished.
I like to check often with the cookie cutter to see how I like how the scraps are coming together.
You can also stitch together smaller scraps in a row first, then stitch that row to the next part of the larger square. This adds lots of interest and scrappiness. See photos.
Once you have the square filled up with scraps, there are two ways you can use them. One, cut out the heart and sew it onto something else. Two, leave the square in tact, and cut out the heart shape in something else to put it behind; aka – reverse appliqué. Clear as mud? Keep reading.
As shown below, cut out the heart shape from a leftover scrap of denim. Place the scrappy square behind it. Sew around the outer edge of the heart. I used a pink thread for fun. You can then use the denim panel in something else, like a zippered pouch.
The raw edge left behind is the charm of this look.
For the other scrappy squares, cut out the heart shapes. Place them how you like on your sweatshirt and pin in place. I did not use stabilizer for this. Sew around the inside edge of the heart to stitch it onto the sweatshirt. The raw edges will fray over time, adding to the scrappy look.
I used a stencil for the letters. To get the word centered, I started with the letters in the middle of the word and worked my way out. I traced each letter with a fabric marking pen. I like these heat erasable white marking pens.
Place your fun fabric behind the letters, with stabilizer in between it and the sweatshirt. Pin in place. Then sew around each letter. I use a walking foot. It’s tedious and slow. Just be patient and before you know it, you’ll be done.
Use a pair of small, sharp scissors to cut away the inside of the letters. Of course, take care not to cut through all three layers. I used a seam ripper to poke through the layers initially, then used scissors.
Now enjoy showing off your creativity!
