Thread it …
That’a how I feel somedays
I could not resist!
Over 50 of The Best Heart Crafts for Valentine’s Day
Your Name I wrote your name in the sky, but the wind blew it away. I wrote your name in the sand, but the waves washed it away. I wrote your name in my heart, and forever it will stay. – Jason Graham
When you think of Valentine’s Day, the first thing that comes to mind is hearts. After all, it is all about matters of the heart. For the few weeks, I trolled the web to find the most innovative and simply wonderful hearts crafts, whether crochet, sewing, knitting, paper, cooking or whatever hand crafted ideas for hearts. Eventually I was dreaming hearts. You will be certain to find a heart among amongst these hearts that speaks to your heart.
So, here my top picks –
Click on the images for tutorials, recipes or original source
Oldest Valentine card Dating back to 1790, the intricately designed Valentine filled with heartfelt messaging is currently housed at the British Postal Museum and Archive
What would Valentine’s Day without the Valentine’s Day Card?
If you want to make a card that resembles this antique Valentine card, Martha Steward has a great tutorial on how to make it. The text, embellished with stamped and painted designs, is revealed in stages as the card is opened.
Tutorial Martha Steward
or this simpler version and about 40 more great ideas for cards from Martha Steward
At InTec InSights you can type in your own words and produce this heart on the spot using fonts, colour, shape, and backgrounds of your choice.
Love these Craft envelopes Tutorial by Sweet Tidings
Decorate the outside of the card with hearts and inside: Pop-up origami kissing lips card. Full instructions and video tutorial
If you are at loss for words but feeling a lot of love this pocket of hearts is a cute idea.
Pocket of hearts from Nellies Nest
Clever idea for a quick hear stamp – Neuer Stoff
Make your own heart-shaped plantable tags – tutorial from Hill City Bride
You Colour my World
Crayon Heart Valentine’s – full tutorial from Whipperberry
Tug My Heart Strings
Cute idea and tutorial for a heart installation from Oh Happy Day
Lovely idea using wax crayon shaving on wax paper – Martha Steward
Hearts made from rustic floral wire are wrapped with yarn and hung in the window, or you could also tuck a note inside and give it as a valentine. Click for tutorial
Gorgeous hanging ornaments from Betsy Veldman
Valentine’s Garland (and cookies) from Glorious Treats
This woven heart is made from a tissue box! Tutorial – Michele Made Me
Love these newspaper hearts – Photo by Rebecka Ryberg
Visit Rebecka Ryberg’s lovely blog is Vintage Fairy Tales for more inspirations.
A Token of my Love …
A love token made and given in World War I to loved ones to remind them that they are never out of the heart
Make your own love tokens. Here some delightful embroidered hearts – they are quick and easy to make depending on how elaborate your decoration and skill. They are also great to fill with scented herbs or just a few drops of essential oil or your favourite perfume to remind him of you. Scents can linger on fabrics and paper for a long time.
Beautiful beaded, embroidered Velvet brooch heart by The7thMagpie
Felt heart for gift wrapping By Lisa Jordan Lilfishstudios
By Deborah Mellifer Moore
Denim heart by LolliePatchouli
This lovely Vintage Button Heart is from Kandy Newton
Felt heart By Sandhra Lee
You can also make these felt hearts into little pouches for candy or small gifts using the tutorial from Purl Bee
Candy Heart Tutorial from Purl Bee
So cute!
From Yarnspirations, Pattern Ravelry
Beaded and Embroidered Heart Brooch or Lapel Pin, or Pincushion
From Evi’s Country Snippets
Make this Felt heart bag from Martha Steward
You can even romantisize your shoe like these BHLDN
Fabric Heart Bookmark from Sew Many Ways – tutorial
Valentine Wreath From Mine for Making
Such a lovely idea using dry rosebuds
I am Hooked on You
Crochet hearts can be used in so many ways – decorate your clothes or bags; make hair accessories, jewelry and broches; use it in scrapbooking and cards – hang it up …
Heartstrings Illustration Laura Taylor Mark
Chrochet heart from Inpigiama
I just love these Heart pockets from Paper, Yarn and Flour, Tutorial in PDF
Tutorial from Paper Yarn & Flour
Crochet Heart Tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets
You can crochet these hearts in cotton twine and dye them. Tutorial at Jenny Doh’s blog
Jenny Doh also has a great tutorial to use these for making a baker’s twine bracelet
Tutorial from Easy makes me Happy
Tutorial from I heart Handicrafts
Jute Hearts by Sosorosy on Etsy. Love the simplicity. Great to accessorize gift packaging, or to hang strings of them, or for place settings.
Freeform embroided from Luci Florey
Unzip my Heart
How to Make Zipper Hearts
Zipper heart from zippinning
by Create With Bogate
These gorgeous felt and zipper brooches are from IPUBLICATE.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. – Song of Songs
Make a rosemary heart – Image from Whimsical Raindrop Cottage
Cinnamon Applesauce ornaments – How to from Katy Elliot
DIY Lavender & Chamomile Bath Melt – Tutorial from Be Beautiful
You can also make these Bath Melts in different scents by for example using rose petals and rose rose oil.
Click image for the recipe from African Aromatics
Make up the tea and put them into little bags like these from Bright Bride as a gift or just indulge in a romantic bath.
Image from Bright Bride
Or these teabags from Her Imajination
Heart Tabag tutorial from Her Imajination
Great Bathbombs tutorial
Wine cork heart from past romantic evenings?
Wine cork Heart tutorial – from The Corner Apartment
Heart Delights – Love is Sweet
Matchbox sweet treat Valentines by Inchmark
Full tutorial from 52Souluo
Sweet heart Cherry Pies – Recipe from Cake student
Marshmallow Heart Pops – Tutorial from Pink Little Cake
No heart cake pan – no problem. Use a square and a round to get a heart shape.
Marbled Red Velvet Cheese Cake Brownies – Recipe Novice Chef
Full Recipe and Tutorial for the red Velvet Cheese Cake at Share our Harvest
Freeze whipped cream on a cookie sheet, use cookie cutter to cut out hearts and serve with hot cocoa
Image PS by Dila
Full Tutorial for Heart sugar cubes from Ruffles and Stuff
Red Velvet Crepe Recipe from Duhlicious
Chocolate Chip Beet Cookies – Recipe from Road not Processed
Recipe by Photo
Heart Ravioli Recipe
Easy Valentine Day Food ideas
Heart Wraps
Two really great ideas for gift wrapping from the Houses that Lars Built
This lovely idea for gift tags is from Sugar Sugar
How to DIY mini Valentines mailbox! Sooo cute! by Hello Monday
Peg your Heart to a Gift box from Hello Naomi
Lastly Heart Inspirations
Beautiful heart rose wreath By Sarah Kaye
Garden Gate Heart Locket…design by Christi Anderson
Heart-corset necklace by wickedgems
Steampunk Heart by Steelhip Design
Gothic Heart by Ukapala
By Jacquline Hurlbert
Love Grows by Minerva Mosiacs
The Key to My heart by Mark Orr
Heart braided hair
Here’s how to do a heart braid
CHILD & CHILD 1880-1915 Winged Heart Pendant / Brooch in the Pre-Raphaelite style
How to make a worn out Collar into Baroque Collar Necklace
I really enjoy taking something that would normally end up in the trash and make it into a something beautiful, into something that is desirable. Upcycling is for me one of the best of human achievements -using our innate creativity to uplift and improve ourselves and our environment. Imagine applying it to all aspects of live.
This once was one of favourite silk shirt but eventually the collar and cuffs became worn through and frayed, and the fabric just started to tear. I so loved the shirt that shared many enjoyable moments with me that I was determined to recycle all of it. ( I have already been using some of the fabric to start mending my piano shawl – more about that “long-mend” in an upcoming post.)
The raw material
I did not take a pic to show the state of the collar was in before I began, as my initial idea was to cut off the collar leaf and to just make choker from the collar stand with the lace and pearl beading, as in my sketch. My daughter really wanted a full collar so it was back to the drawing board. I decided to a reversible Baroque collar that could be worn folded up or down.
You may want to use this idea to make a Baroque choker as it is an easy way of fastening a choker necklace with the button at the back.
Make a choker collar necklace from a n old collar
The pic below of the cuff will give you an idea what the collar looked like. (I have ideas for the cuffs too!)
This is basically the state the collar was in
What do you need to do this project?
For this project I decided not to buy anything but only use what I already had. I am sure if you are already sewing you will have the materials needed:
- An old shirt
- Sewing thread matching the shirt colour
- Embroidery thread
- Beading and Embroidery Needles
- Pearls and Beads
- Lace to trim the collar (optional) – I used a piece of left over lace from another project
Step One: Cut off the collar, or if you want to do it properly unpick the stitches to separate the collar from the shirt and resew. I just hate unpicking .
Cut off collar and lace
Step 2: Before I could get onto the decorative elements I had to mend the frayed edges and to patch the place where the collar was worn through. I used blanket stitch to edge the collar.
In this pic you can see some of the patching and edging finish with frayed bottom edge still to be cleaned up.
Step 3: Once I have mended the collar, I sewed vintage glass seed beads all around the edges of the collar that I salvaged from an old dress. (How to embroider with beads)
Step 4: For the embroidery I used only two stitches running stitch and lazy daisy stitch. I worked out the design freehand – first to hide the mending and then I filled in the gaps to make it pretty. Still really simple so that even a beginner can do it. Freehand embroidery is for me like Zentangle – you start at one place and the design develops. The best way to understand the process is to have a look at the basics of Zentangle.
Seed beads on the edges and running stitch outlines
I developed the embroidery design on the go firstly to cover the patching
Back of the collar embrodery
Step 5: After I finished the basic embroidery with beading, I sewed on the lace on the front parts of the collar.
Step 7: To link the lace with the rest of the design I continued the embroidery and beading so that it formed a cohesive design as you can see in the pictures.
Finished! This will give you an idea how to transform what is basically a piece of scrap into a treasure.
Collar up back view
Finished collar
Collar down back
Collar leaf worn down
Chanel – cream Baroque inspiration
Just Lovely Inspiration
“Mrs. Grace taught me to sew, and Mrs. Penelope taught me to read.”
I just love the Gutenberg book project. There are so many wonderful books. This particular one is a visual feast.
Front Cover
Back cover
The Fairchild Family, by Mary Martha Sherwood has beautiful illustrations by Florence M. Rudland and is a delightful read.
The Story of Apples
There was one he could just reach
In their newest morning dresses – love the pattern
Enjoy!
30 Absolutely Fabulous Collars to Make
I love free-standing collars. They are fun to make and so simple. Collars frame for your face, as we tend to focus on the face. You can change the look of a simple outfit completely by just adding a collar. You can even keep a few in your handbag if you need a quick change!
Just to get you started into the lingo of collars; here’s a collection of different types of collars
(For all the images – just click on them for the source)
Different types of collars you can make
The embellished collar is particularly big now with the Barogue look.
Chanel – Image from ZsaZsa Bellagio
Every girl needs pearls! You may not want the little string of pearls but these pearl embellished collars you can make yourself will are just gorgeous.
Pearl collar Necklace from Style Hive
DIY Tutorial from Les Arts Plastiques
Tutorial Trinkets in Bloom
Just add pearls and lace to a plain collar to get this feminine look.
Image from Barbro Andersen
The black and gold baroque look is just fabulous and that too can easily be done with a DIY collar and cuff added to your little black dress.
Black and gold Baroque collar – Image from Jkayre
Either embroider a black collar and add pearls and sparklies or simply sew on decorative buttons!
Baroque button collar – Image from Reciproque
Tutorial from from Fashion Margo Girl
Unusual Lace and beaded collar video tutorial
More great tutorial to make these collars. I especially love the ruffled ribbon collar.
Tutorials from On the Fourth Floor
Then there is the silver and metallic look – the following pictures gives great tutorials for the collars – just click on the images for for the tutorials..
Faux Glitter Collar – tutorial from Wobisobi
Vuitton metal peter pan collar – tutorial matter of style
Tutorial M & J Blog
Here’s another idea for a black and gold Baroque collar in the Puritan style. Just cut out a collar (x 2 plus facing) in the shape of the collar shown in the picture below to the size you want, and use thetutorial for the Peter Pan collar to make it up and embellish to your hearts delight. Tie with a ribbon or a decorative button with a button loop.
Image from Fashiolista
How to make a puritan or Peter Pan collar – Full Tutorial from A Common Thread
My favourite for DIY – Doilies
Best Tutorial for how to make a collar from a Doily from El Calaix
Or you can just crochet a collar here’s on pattern I like
Crochet a collar – from Lulu Loves
Ah, then there is the Faux Fur collar, lets not forget.
Tutorial Elegant musings
Here’s a really unusual use of the faux collar
Faux fir collar that fastens with soft knit ties, which you could easily knit yourself – Image and idea from Transient Expression
Sweet and Simple
If you haven’t found any collars to your liking here’s some more DIY collars from True Blue and Me.
Image From True Blue & Me
- DIY Style Miu Miu Cat Collar by Audrey Kitching here. Love how she uses iron-on transfers (I use these all the time).
- DIY Scallop Edge Detachable Pearl Collar by Megan Nielsen here. I was going to suggest glue and then read one comment saying how happy they were she sewed this the “proper” way. This collar reminds me of an antique one I own.
- DIY Felt Scalloped Collar by The.Dot.Spot. here. I’ve included this because you can make any shape, any color with any number of perferations.
- DIY Inspiration from Marc Jacobs seen at acidule here. So easy to make.
- Zipper Collar Inspiration. Seen at acidule here. This is one of the few times I cannot find the source anywhere.
- DIY Embellished Collar by …Love Maegan here.
- DIY Reversible Angel Wings’ Collar by Rachel Faucett at Craftzine here. Detailed pattern and versatile.
- DIY Louis Vuitton Gold Collar by just angelina here, using a tutorial by a Pair & a Spare here.
- DIY Embellished Colars by Toronto Standard: Ride or DIY here. Examples with pennies, shells, seed beads etc…
More …
Lastly here is a collar I made from an old shirt with a frayed collar, that would otherwise just have been thrown away. It can be worn up or down. I will give the tutorial in my post – How to make a worn collar into a Baroque collar necklace. I will also do a few more posts on different types of collars because a just love collars.!
How to make a worn out Collar into Baroque Collar Necklace
Refashioning the New Green
As far back as I can remember I have been a Refashionista. My first projects were from tablecloths until I discovered second hand clothing shops with their endless supply of material to refashion. I rarely buy new clothes.
Refashioning is not just for DIY at home any more. Refashioning, recreating, repurposing and upcycling of clothing is hitting the limelight and is becoming a necessity in the polluted world. Refashioning is the new green.
Recycling old clothes is probably the ultimate eco fashion. It reduces waste and also the environmental impact associated with manufacture of new clothes. Tonnes of old clothes end up in landfill. In the US alone, almost 11 million tonnes of textiles ends up in landfill. An Article that makes for interesting reading The Afterlife of Cheap Clothes gives further insight into the problem. H&M made the headlines earlier this year when it was accused of slashing and dumping unsold clothes in rubbish bags outside one of its outlets in Manhattan. (Ref)
Perhaps the most famous Refashioned dress of all time is Scarlett O’Hara’s up-cycled emerald green velvet curtain dress from Gone With The Wind.
Recycling of clothes is nothing new and is perhaps as old as fashion itself. Recently however, the sales of vintage and second hand clothes have shown huge growth, and the rise of the reworking and refashioning of second hand and vintage clothing is especially increasing. The new designs keep a bit of the history of the clothing from which they were made but also give consumers something fresh and exciting. (Ref)
The desire to experiment with styles is also growing and eclectic styles rather than just a particular style is what the latest fashion trends incorporate. Women are looking for designs that contains unconventional aesthetics. Recycling, refashioning and upcycling is ideally suited to fulfil this trend. Many Fashion designers are coming up with very trendy designs for refashioned clothes, making refashioning one of the hottest trends for 2013.
The new trend does not only include refashioned clothes but also includes refashioned trash material.
Designer Karishma Shahani
Designer Karishma Shahani from India collection of upcycled fashion – “Yatra” is made from recycled plastic packaging mixed with natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen and muslin that were dip-dyed using plants from a local market. (Ref)
Designer Stefanie Nieuwenhuys
Designer Stefanie Nieuwenhuys created a collection of ‘biomimetic’ corsets, evening dresses, pants and accessories, working with a bio-waste firm to obtain discarded pieces of plywood which she laser-cuts into shape. (Ref)
Lia Griffith’s intricate paper couture
Lia Griffith’s intricate paper couture, Paper Couture’s creations, are made of recycled paper. So often prom dresses and other special occasion have dresses made at great expense that is only worn once, so why not make it from paper?
Isabelle de Borchgrave’s paper clothing. Details of dress of Queen Polyxene of Assie.
If you are still not sold on what you can make from paper just have a look at the incredible dresses by Isabelle de Borchgrave.
Pull Tab dress
Pull Tab prom dress
For more details see Teen Ink
Orsola de Castro
Though many designers now create ‘upcycled’ fashion from waste materials, Orsola de Castro is the first to do so on an industrial scale. When Speedo launched its LZR Racer swimsuit in February 2008, it was a sensation. But then in July 2009 Fina, swimming’s world governing body, banned the LZR on the basis that it gave its wearers an unfair advantage. The LZR would never be allowed again in a major swimming championship. The decision left Speedo with a significant problem: 18,000 obsolete swimsuits. They gave the swimsuits to Orsola de Castro, the founder of From Somewhere, an upmarket men’s and women’s fashion label specialising in off-cuts and ‘waste’. Rather than make sportswear out of the costumes, she crafted cocktail dresses. de Castro saw glamour in the LZR fabric. ‘It holds you, it sculpts you, it has a shine, it gives you confidence: it’s heaven.’ Bottoms have been turned into elegant sleeves, and legs transformed into a pleated skirt. (De Castro had to devise a new language for her pattern-cutters: ‘de-bottoming’; ‘straight-leg-to-gusset cut’; ‘vertical tit split’; ‘horizontal tit split’.) (Ref)
Orsola de Castro – Speedo refashion
Up cycling Design by Gary Harvey
Image from Top Designers in Denver
It is not just clothes that are made from upcycling fashion waste , shoes and accessories recreations are also showing a great rise by designers.
Image from – Kingdom of Style – Recycled Record and Cassette Tape Saddle Shoes are hand cobbled in Guatemala with fair trade leather soles and recycled tire heals. They are a collaboration between WrecordsByMonkey and Sonic fabric, who invented and produce fabric made from recycled cassette tapes.
The Jeans Sandal Boots by DaniKshoes are Pants for the Feet
Zipper Bracelet by Dara Gerson and Ashley Lowengrub
Bag made from refashioned Blazers
Save the Planet – Refashion, recreate, repurpose and upcycle
Deck the Halls and be Merry!
The Fashionista Christmas Tree
Here’s some of my favourite Christmas images and dresses to wish everyone a joyous Festive Season!
(Just click on the images for source)
Vintage
‘Zémire’ evening ensemble by Christian Dior. Cellulose acetate, with the skirt lined with layers of silk and net. Paris, 1954-5
Image From V & A
Steampunk
Elegant Couture
Karolina Kurkova
Image from Fashion Gone Rogue
Marchesa Spring 2013
Image from Vogue 2013
Gothic
Mori Girl
Mori Girl Christmas
Lolita
Kamiko Christmas Dress from Courne Supremacy
Lolita Christmas Dress
Whatever your style – Merry Christmas!
