Got Shabby Pockets?. . . Tutorial for Heart Shaped Pockets

A shabby heart is a romantic heart....for your valentine!

I wanted to make something for Valentine's Day using some leftover upholstery backing I had purchased just before Christmas. I'm always experimenting with different things and since this backing was so cheap I figured I couldn’t go wrong with buying it. I found it in the 70% off bin at the fabric store.

For Christmas I used it as garland to decorate my tree. I liked how it turned out which made it well worth the few pennies it cost to buy it.  

Then about a week ago I started thinking... could I use this to make something for Valentine's Day? I love the burlap + textural look of it. In fact, when I bought it, the clerk apologized for how shabby it was! I just laughed and told her that wasn't a problem... I was buying it for that very reason.

With Valentine's Day around the corner I started playing and this is what I came up with (see picture). So far, a simple heart pocket with potential...
Tutorial Begins Here:

This is my first tutorial... I will try to remember everything. Stay with me.
The upholstery backing I used may not be available for you. Art canvas is a good substitute; it's stiff and flexible. If you don't have canvas then experiment with water color paper, or the back of a cereal box or whatever you think will work. . . Maybe even a brown paper bag??

Here's some of the supplies you will need (picture above). You will also need some fabric strips or ribbon for lacing. Fabric strips need to me anywhere from 1" to 1 1/4"  wide and 34 or 36 inches long, depending on how long you want the handle. If you use ribbon at least 1/2 inch wide.

*The heart I made is approx. 6" x 6 inches. . . widest areas .  Moving on... 

Cut out a paper heart the size and shape you want. I folded a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch paper in half lengthwise; then cut a heart shape. (You can make a sturdy template out of cardboard) that way you'll have a sturdy pattern if you plan to make many hearts. Better grab that cereal box!

Cut your heart with paper, then cardboard then trace it onto your foundation piece with whatever material you decided to use. 

    

For one heart pocket you will need to trace two hearts. (for front and back).

Next evenly mark where you want the holes for lacing placed with a red marker. (color markers show up better than a pencil mark). 

Mine are spaced about an inch apart and 1/2 inch in from the edge.
 

Cut out the hearts front and back (don't use your nice sewing scissors!) then punch out the holes. The backing is very stiff; your hand may need a break if you make very many. You will know how good your paper punch is when you make this. I like sharp scissors, and a good paper punch.

If you want a fancier front this is a good time to decorate it.

Use your imagination and be creative here. Look through your card stash and  scrap booking supplies for inspiration.

 I carefully tore out a card design...it's pretty and valentine like. Next, I applied an even coat of mod podge on the back of the card and laid the sticky side down onto the heart being careful rubbing and pressing it with my fingers.

Note: If your decal is made with thick or slick type paper fiber you may want some Aleene's: Super Thick Tacky Glue.... (one of my cards I had to use it, the other one I just used mod podge). The tacky glue I just mentioned works really well! It's good to have on hand. Remember to press on the decal without wearing down the paper fiber. Sometimes a damp only sponge brush can help even out the edges if needed but not too wet.

  

The mod podge is for the back of the decal. I poured some in a disposable bowl for ease.

  

Next, I took some fabric and tore a strip about and 1" wide + 34" or 36" long . I slipped the fabric strip between a bobby pin, lucky me I found one! Now start lacing. . . just like you did in school when you made hearts laced with yarn.

Leave at least a 2" tail beyond the first hole to tie the other end with.

 

See how fast that went. After you tie the two ends together for the handle... comes the fun part. Think of what to put in the pocket and who you are going to give it to. Ideas: a note, candy, a little gift, coupons... there are many possibilities.  

 

I filled this pocket with saltwater taffy. The color of the taffy I found at Trader Joes matched my pocket... coordinating candy + pocket makes me smile. : )

 I hope you are having fun because I am just telling you how to make them!

More pockets coming. . .

For a different look I used the same backing only this time I covered the heart with a paper napkin.
You will need to punch holes out of your heart foundation before gluing on the napkin if you do it this way. Note: This time you will apply glue to the base of the whole foundation piece - then layer the dry napkin on top. Roll a pencil along the top like a rolling pin to even or press it out. (The other way you glued the back of the decal, then stuck in on the dry foundation heart). 

Punch out the holes again after the napkin has thoroughly dried or paper punch could tear napkin fiber you may need to help it pop out.
Tip: try not to get mod podge or glue on the top of the napkin when pressing it on. It helps to have a damp cloth near by to wipe sticky fingers. I used ribbon instead of a fabric strip and laced it up and down instead of around hole edges. Measure around your heart to know how much ribbon you will need. 36 inches was more than I needed for the napkin heart.

 

A shabby pocket is a good thing when it's filled with love!