My Journey into Scandinavian Hearts!

Hey everyone! Today, I want to share a little crafting adventure that truly captured my heart – literally! I recently delved into making these adorable Scandinavian heart ornaments, and let me tell you, it’s been such a delightful experience. They’re perfect for a Christmas advent calendar, but honestly, I can already see them becoming cute little purses or charming decorations year-round.

What You’ll Need: Gathering My Treasures

Before I even began, I gathered my materials. It felt like preparing for a little treasure hunt! Here’s what I used:

• Felt: This was my primary fabric for one half of the heart. It’s so soft and forgiving!
• Fabric for Stuffing: I actually repurposed some old pillowcases for this. It’s a wonderful way to give new life to forgotten textiles!
• Ribbon: For that lovely hanging loop and a touch of elegance.
• Small Jewels: These are my little secret for adding a bit of sparkle.
• Gold Thread: This really makes the finishing touches pop.
• Hard Stock or Cardboard: Essential for creating a sturdy pattern.
• Red Fabric: I chose a vibrant red for the other half of my heart.
• Heat and Bond: This magical stuff is amazing for adding stability to your fabric.

The Art of the Heart: My Techniques Unveiled

Now for the fun part – the creation process! It’s all about precision and a little bit of patience, but the result is so worth it.

Crafting the Perfect Pattern

The first step was making my pattern. Scandinavian hearts typically measure 4 inches by 4 inches. This size is super important because it ensures your 1-inch squares will weave perfectly later on. I learned the hard way that unequal dimensions (like 4 inches across and only 3.5 inches down) can lead to a buckled heart, and we definitely don’t want that! I curved the top of my hard stock pattern and then carefully marked out 1-inch intervals across the 4-inch width before cutting it out.

Preparing My Fabrics with Love

Next, I got my fabrics ready. I used felt for one half of my heart. For the red fabric, I applied heat and bond to its back and attached it to the felt. This really gave it a nice, stable feel. For the second half, I cut a piece from white fabric and then had so much fun quilting it on my machine using red thread. It adds such a lovely texture and personal touch!

The Joy of Weaving

This is where the magic happens! I folded each cut-out heart piece in half. The weaving process is all about an “in and out” motion with your fabric strips. I started at the top, weaving each strip, and alternating the pattern. It’s like a little dance of fabric, and watching the heart take shape is incredibly satisfying.

The Finishing Flourish

To finish my heart, I applied a beautiful blanket stitch to the side using my gold thread. This detail truly elevates the ornament. Then, I added the ribbon for hanging and glued on those little jewels for a touch of whimsy.

My Little Treasure

I am absolutely thrilled with how my Scandinavian heart ornament turned out! The best part is the little gap it creates in the middle, making it perfect for a tiny treat or even as a small purse. I found my pattern online, and I encourage you to seek out designs that inspire you too. Crafting this heart was more than just a project; it was a journey of creativity and a reminder of the joy handmade items bring. Happy crafting, everyone!