How to… make a Rag Heart (Guest Post)

Today we have a very lovely “How to make a Rag Heart Wreath” guest post from Mary from Mary Poppins Home Sweet Home. As some of you may know there a some Mummy And Daddy (the MADs) Blogging awards going on the UK. I was very excited and chuffed to see that I have been nominated in three categorie: Craft Blog of the Year, Pre-School Blog of the Year (thanks to our weekly Kids Get Crafty) and overall blogger of the year… How truly lovely is that?

I decided that I should really check out “the competition” and “found” Mary. I have long been connected with Mary on twitter and was VERY ashamed to admit that I wasn’t familiar with her blog. Especially since it is indeed gorgeously lovely! Now, you simply MUST visit Mary, as she is one of the 5 craft blogging finalist… so her blog must be good (*cough* says she whose blog is also in the craft finals *cough*). But *coughing* aside, to go and visit and check out all her loveliness and you won’t be disappointed! Not competition at all, but colleague!

A perfect shabby chic inspired item that would make a special and thoughtful gift and the perfect make to get those children’s little fingers involved too. A wonderful project in which to use up all those scraps of lovely fabric you have lying around waiting to be used. You can choose any design you like, a mixture of many fabrics, maybe even just one or two alternate fabrics. For a pretty effect I like to alternate every so often with pretty ribbons and tulle whilst knotting on the fabric strips. It gives the rag heart a lovely whimsical effect. You can also have the option of using pinking shears on the edges of your chosen fabric to give it a zig zag detail.

Rag Heart DIY – What Do I Need

* Garden wire
* Wire Cutters
* Scissors/pinking shears (optional )
* Fabric Scraps/Ribbon/Tulle
* Ribbon/Twine ( To hang )

How to make a Rag Heart DIY

1. Cut a piece of garden wire to measure approximately 80 cms. For this project I used a 2.5 mm pliable plastic coated garden wire. Galvanised wire is stronger, though a little harder to work with and you would certainly need a good strong pair of pliers and cutters. If you are not confident about doing your heart shape free hand you could always print out a heart shaped template and use that as a guide to bend your wire into a heart shape. It doesn’t matter what size heart you make. Twist the ends of your wire heart over and then use pliers to neaten. The heart in this project measures approximately 30cms wide and 30cms tall.

2. Cut your strips from your chosen fabric. Decide whether you want to use pinking shears to achieve zig zag edges or straight edges with scissors. Start to cut your strips from the fabric following a measurement of approximately 4.5 inches in length and 1 inch wide for each strip. You needn’t measure every single one, you can use your guess work a little as you begin to recognise the size they should be, also it is more characteristic for the heart if each of the strips aren’t too exact in length as one another. If you want a more substantial looking heart then cut your strips a little longer. I used approximately 100-140 different strips for this project.

3. Tie each fabric strip onto the heart. Work your way around in the direction that suits you. It is up to you whether you tie each strip using one knot or two knots around the heart, obviously if you are going to tie twice then make the strips slightly longer. Aim to get the fabric upright, as in the right side of fabric facing the front of the heart which shall be on display. You could always use a fabric that is double sided. As you make your way around the heart, twist and move along the tied strips so you can’t see any gaps. If there are any, cut some more strips and squeeze them on.

4. Tie a bow at the top for decoration, and add ribbon or twine to hang, and then stand back and admire your pretty Shabby Chic heart!

Hints & Tips    

* Once happy with the heart shape created with your wire you may bind your heart with wadding and fabric to make it a little sturdier if desired before you tie on your strips

* When creating your strips it may be helpful to cut one long piece of fabric and then cut many strips in one go. Have all your required strips cut before you start to knot them on the wire heart.

Don’t you think these rag hearts are simply adorable??? I am so going to make some for Pip Squeaks room! May even see if I can recycle some of her old onesies.. Thank you Mary.