Free Punch Needle Heart Patterns!

Next month is Valentines and I thought it would be fun to try some new hearts. They are easy to do and something you can make in a day or two.

The punch needle hearts were done with DMC floss and I used a #3 for the design and a #1 for the background to give it a raised look. After punching the design I used a piece of red wool for the back and stuffed them. The edge was done with wool yarn that I sewed on, gathering it as I went around to get a little scalloped edge. I started from the center top and left the ends long enough to make a hanging cord. Perfect to hang on my valentine tree.

You can also hook these or do them in appliqué or stitchery. The finished hearts are almost 4" long, but can be done in any size you like.

Here is the patterns for the hearts, I did them mostly by hand, so the patterns are not exactly the same.

Another thing I tried this week is woven, fabric hearts. I drew out a heart design on a piece of card stock, then traced that onto a piece of light fabric, with a water erasable pen, but you can use anything to trace the design on, you will not see it in the end. I laid strips of fabric across the heart, making sure I covered all of the areas and pinned them on, to keep them from slipping. Once I had the heart covered and pinned, I cut away the excess fabrics, leave about an inch, all around.

I sewed the strips onto the heart, using 2 strands of Dmc black and a running stitch. You just want to sew the edges of the top pieces, not across the areas that run under the tops. This way you keep the weave look and not block them off with cross stitches. Once they are all sewed down, you can cut off the excess fabric and sew the front to a backing. I used a floral print to make it pretty on the back. I stuffed mine and then antiqued them with walnut spray. Since they are bowl fillers, I kept them as is, but you can also make a hanger to hang from a knob or rack.

You can use a fabric heart to back the strips, or fusible would work nicely too. Just make sure you have the strips laid out and tightly together, before you iron them down. This is a great way to use up scraps. I may try some small pillows with an appliqué, next time.