Learn how to make a heart pillow as a keepsake of your loved one or as a cozy decoration for Valentines’ Day. This step by step tutorial will show you how to sew a heart pillow as a keepsake that is one of a kind. You can use a loved ones sweater, blanket or shirt for this pattern to make a heart pillow as a way to hold onto memories. This tutorial on making a heart pillow also has a free pattern.
Today we are going to make a heart keepsake pillow the easy way as a simple and beginner friendly sewing project. This project would also work as a cozy decoration for Valentines Day. These pillows add a soft and delicate touch to your home and remind you of those you love.
My middle daughter Emmie loves things that are cozy. She often points out all the cozy pillows and blankets we see in stores. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t notice them or probably be making these pillows today. But since I know she loves soft pillows I thought to finally make her one for Valentine’s Day.
But as I was making this heart pillow I thought so much about how it would be perfect as a keepsake heart of a loved one.
I love crafts that are meaningful and purposeful and when someone we love passes away it is sometimes difficult to know what to do with that grief. I have found one way I can continue to remember them and pass that memory onto other loved ones is by creating a keepsake.
When you miss your loved one or on nights without them this would be a small way to remember their love. The size of the pillow can also be adjusted to be smaller or larger depending on what size you would like your heart.
So let’s get started on making our keepsake heart pillows! ❤️
Here are the supplies needed to make a keepsake heart pillow:
- Heart pattern
- 1/4 of cozy fabric or clothing from a loved one
- sewing pins
- sewing machine and matching thread
- scissors or rotary cutter
- cutting mat
- poly fil or rice (if you want to add some weight to the pillow)
Here is a video tutorial on how to make a keepsake heart pillow:
Here’s how to make a heart keepsake pillow the easy way:
Step 1: Cut out your heart keepsake pillow pattern
We have included a free heart pillow pattern for you in this tutorial. Print off the paper on 8.5″ x 11″ paper. I usually select “Fit to Paper.” Tape the pattern together to make your heart. You can cut off any margins that printed or just tape it together.
Step 2: Cut out your keepsake heart pillow fabric
Now take your fabric of choice and cut out two hearts with your pattern. One for the front of your heart pillow and one for the back of your heart pillow.
Now pin the hearts right sides together.
TIP: Another idea would be to include a pocket from a loved ones shirt or sweater. You could add another heart to the pocket and it would just add another dimension to your keepsake heart.
Step 3: Sew your keepsake heart pillow cutouts together
Now take your hearts over to your machine. Sew the hearts right sides together. Start with the bottom left side of the heart and sew around the heart. I used about 1/2″ inseam. Remember to leave a 2″ space towards the bottom right of your heart to turn the fabric right side out. This is also how you will be able to stuff your heart pillow.
Now turn the fabric right side out once you have finished sewing it. Your finished pillow will be about 14″-15″ at the longest part.
Step 4: Fill your keepsake heart pillow
The next step is to fill your heart pillow. If you just want a cozy pillow without any extra weight use poly fil and stuff the pillow to your liking. You can also use micro bead filler for a nice squishy pillow. Either way fill your pillow.
Note: If you want your heart to be weighted. Add rice, beans, or other small pellets. This is a great idea for adding some extra sensory input for children and can be helpful in them orienting their body in space. It’s like an extra hug or squeeze for you child. You will just want to make sure you are adding the correct amount for your child’s body weight.
I chose to fill my pillows with two different weights of filling. The first one was a smaller pillow that would rest nice on my youngest daughter’s chest. With her pillow I used some rice and poly fil to make the pillow weightier.
For my other two daughters I made a larger pillow and just added some poly fil. This made a nice and full pillow that was soft and squishy but not necessarily weighted.
Make a Memento for a loved one with a heart pillow:
I love the idea of making a heart pillow with a loved ones sweater, blanket or other cozy item. This would be a neat item to make after someone passes away. Remembering that loved one with a heart pillow made from their sweater or shirt would provide extra comfort and something tangible to hold onto when they are no longer present.
I hope you enjoyed making these keepsake heart pillows with me today and I look forward to making more Valentine’s Day crafts with you! If you missed our heart wreath from paper doilies or 7 Ways to Repurpose Items for Valentines Day you can read about those for some more ideas.
Until next time! Happy Creating!
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