Heart Shaped Sachet Made from a Sweater

This year for Valentine’s I created a Heart Shaped Sachet made from a sweater.  And not just any sweater.  This creation comes with a story behind it – my favorite creations always do.

I think I’ve mentioned before that my favorite decor is when it’s not only beautiful, but it also has meaning.  I’m all about vintage, industrial, cottage, white, etc. but when something also has a great story or sentimental meaning behind it then it’s a total win-win!

The same goes for items I create.  I love creating beautiful pillows and wall art that will make peoples homes happy.  When I can use wording or materials that have a special meaning to them that makes it all the sweeter.

I’ve had this grey sweater in my stash for a couple years now – it belonged to my Grandma.  My Mom gave it to me when she and her siblings were going through Grandma’s things after Grandma went home to Jesus.  Knowing I sometimes used old sweaters in my creations, she wondered if I could use it.  Of course I wanted it, but I knew I wouldn’t be using it for just anything.  I didn’t want to create something that would go to the shop and be sold and I’d never see the fabric again.  So the sweater lay quietly in the cupboard waiting for inspiration to strike.

Around the time I started thinking about Christmas gifts I had the idea to create something for my Mom and my sister using Grandma’s sweater.  But I couldn’t quite decide what to make that would be really fun and cute.

My out-of-state family came in at Thanksgiving and we had Christmas early.  I didn’t quite get to it so I let it go and then brought it out again after the crazy-fun busy-ness of being with family was over.  Since we’d had Christmas at Thanksgiving I thought it would be fun to have something to give my Mom on Christmas day so I started thinking again what to make.

My handmade business had been focused on Christmas for so long I was ready to move on to new things for 2017 so I set my sights on Valentine’s.  What would be better to make from my Grandma’s sweater than some heart-shaped pillows and sachets?

These sachets are super easy to make.  You basically use the same technique I used to make my star ornaments or my heart-shaped toy tea bags.

• Make a heart pattern – this is super easy – just fold a piece of paper in half and draw half a heart on the fold.  Cut out and open heart.  You can see pics of the process here.
• Cut two hearts from your fabric.  Detail one or both with a bit of ribbon if desired.
• Add a bit of lavender essential oil to some batting if you want.
• With wrong side of one heart facing up, spread the batting over the hear.
• Top with second heart, wrong side facing down.
• Tuck a bit of doubled over ribbon into middle of hearts to form a hanger.
• Sew around the edges of heart, making sure to catch the ribbon in your stitching.

Creating these was fun, simple, fast, and rewarding.  My Mom and my sister and I each have one and I have enough fabric left to make a few more.  I also created some pillows using the sweater and I’ll show you those in more detail soon.

Sachets that are filled with lavender can be tucked into a drawer to make everything smell of lavender.  Or if they have a ribbon loop on them, like I created these, they can be hung from a door knob or cupboard door.

Making these heart shaped adds instant Valentine decor without going over the top.  Since hearts are pretty traditional and universal, and since these are a neutral color, they could be used year-round.

Tucking one into a Christmas wreath makes my wreath last just a bit longer.

Beautiful decor, to me, is what YOU love to see in YOUR home.  If it makes you happy, if you sit down to relax in the evening and your room makes you smile, then that is beautiful decor.  Adding pieces that have meaning just makes it even better because that will make you smile even wider!

Now, go find some fun fabric. Make a few heart sachets to hang or tuck around your house to get you in the spirit of love!

Jill