Conversation Heart Pillow
This free project is super sweet and is sure to make someone's day! Choose from three sizes: 27", 21", and 15". I love that it is sturdy and that you can make it as simple or as frilly as you want!
Let's jump right into the tutorial so you can get started!
--
Supplies:
Printed pattern piece for the Conversation Heart Pillow
1/2 yard woven fabric
polyfil or other stuffing
--
Optional:
Piping or lace for the edges
Vinyl, paint, embroidery, or patches for letters
Fusible interfacing for stiffness
--
First, download and print the pattern piece. It is best to download it to your device before printing. Check to make sure the 1" square printed correctly. Tape the pages together by overlapping the lines. Then cut out the pattern piece so it looks like the photo below.
Take your main heart fabric and fold it so you have two layers. Lay the pattern piece on the fabric and pin in place. Cut the fabric following the pattern piece's curves. You can cut using fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Repeat this step to cut a second heart piece.
Take your side panel fabric and fold it so you have two layers. Lay the pattern piece on the fabric and pin in place. Cut the fabric following the pattern piece's edges. You can cut using fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Repeat this step to cut a second side panel piece.
After cutting, you will have two heart pieces and two side panel pieces.
You are ready to sew a stay-stitch around the edges of both heart pieces. You might be tempted to skip this step but it makes a big difference in helping your heart keep its shape and in having the side panels match evenly on both sides. To sew a stay-stitch, sew 1/4" from the edge all around the heart pieces.
Do not stay-stitch the side panel pieces.
Take the two side panel pieces and match them with right sides together. Pin them together on one of the short ends, as shown in red above. Sew along the pinned edge, using a 3/8" seam allowance.
When you are done, you will have one long side panel piece. Open it out and iron it if it's not already smooth.
Optional: If you want to add piping, lace, interfacing, or any time of message to your pillow, this is the time to do it! None of these are required but they add a nice touch!
For interfacing, use an iron to fuse it onto the wrong side of the heart fabric, according the package instructions on your chosen interfacing. The benefit of interfacing is that it will make the heart stiffer so it holds its shape like a traditional conversation heart candy. It is definitely not required though. Our example pillow does not have interfacing.
For a "conversation" message on your pillow, you can use heat transfer vinyl, paint stencils, embroidery, patches, or anything else want to use! It is best to add it now and be sure to leave plenty of room around the letters because some of the space will be taken up by the seam allowance.
For piping, lace, or other trims, begin pinning the raw edges of the piping/lace around the curves of the heart, beginning at the center top and working your way around to the bottom. Check to make sure it is all even. Sew the trim in place by stitching 1/8" to 1/4" from the edge, depending on your type of trim. For piping, use a zipper foot on your machine to help stitch close to the piping.
Once you have your chosen options complete, you can continue on below!
Take one of the heart pieces and lay it on a flat surface with it's right side up. Take the side panel piece and match its center seam to the center top of the heart, with right sides together, and pin in place, as shown above.
Begin pinning the straight edge to the curved edge. You will need to curve the fabric around as shown, adding pins to help keep the curves matching. Try not to move the heart at all while pinning - you need to match the straight edge to the curves. Use plenty of pins and place them fairly close together.
Continue pinning until you get to the center bottom of the heart, and then start pinning at the center top on the other side. When you have all the pins placed, it will look similar to the photo above. Notice there is extra length on the panels. They are NOT meant to match exactly. In a later step you will trim the excess, but not yet!
Sew the pinned panel to the first heart, from the center top to the bottom on each side. Use a 3/8" seam allowance, take your time, and remove the pins as you go. I have found that it's best to remove each pin as late as possible, right before it gets to the needle. This creates a smooth curve and ensures that the side panel doesn't have any problems.
Notice that the red in the photo does not go all the way to the bottom. You need to end your stitching 1/4" before the bottom of the heart. See photo below also.
The bottom point of the heart should still have raw edges showing for 1/4" on each side. The side panels are still longer than the heart edge. Do not trim them yet!
Now you're ready to attach the side panel to the second heart! Lay the heart on a flat surface with it's right side facing up. Just as you did before, match the seam of the side panel to the center of the heart, with right sides together, and pin in place.
Using the same technique as before, pin the straight edge of the side panel to the curves of the heart, using plenty of pins. Do this on both sides. There will still be excess on the side panel ends. Do not trim it yet!
Sew the side panel to the second heart, just as you did before, again using a 3/8" seam allowance. When you're done, it should look like the photo.
With the heart still wrong side out, lay the heart on its side and align the bottom excess of the side panel. It should line up fairly equal on both sides (if you pinned evenly) but if it is off a bit, just align it the best you can along the side edges. Use two pins to mark the side edges where the hearts end. See photo above.
You finally get to trim off the excess side panels! Leave yourself 1" of excess, cutting straight across as shown above.
Turn the heart right side out. It should look similar to the photo. Iron the hearts before going on, if there are any wrinkles from the previous steps.
Use the bottom opening to insert the polyfil or other stuffing into the pillow. If you want the pillow to be firm and hold its shape, use as much polyfil as you can and be sure to break it up and even it out all around the heart inside. Take your time because this step can make a big difference in the final appearance of your pillow! Avoid creating awkward puckers at the center top.
The heart surface of the pillow should remain fairly flat, not bulging. It will poof out a bit like this, which is okay; just try to make the corners firm and the front and back flat.
When you are happy with the firmness of the pillow, it's time to close it up! Fold the raw edges into the bottom of the pillow, being careful to keep both sides even. Use a needle to hand-stitch the folds together, as shown above.
That's it! You're done! Now repeat as many times as you want! You can create a whole pile of conversation hearts, or just use one as an accent pillow.
You will soon find that it's almost impossible for people to not pick up this pillow as they walk by! I think maybe it's the flat side panels that make it intriguing and you just have to touch it. I love how the center seam at the top makes it lay just right so its a sturdy heart shape.
I hope you enjoy your Conversation Heart Pillow just as much as we do! I would love to see your photos so please share them in our sewing community or in the blog comments below!
--
Happy Sewing!