Projects

Heart Swag

Created By:

Valora Hammond

Skill Level: Intermediate

This clever project allows you to do ‘paper piecing in the hoop’. Each color change of the embroidery design used in this project will indicate the next step in your paper piecing (or stitch ‘n flip). Complete the heart as you would any paper piecing project according to the design. The machine will stitch down each piece of fabric and then add decorative effects for you. You won’t believe how easy this adorable heart swag is to complete!

 

Janome Supplies Required

Janome Supplies Required
Any Janome Embroidery machine
Any Janome sewing machine
Janome Cutaway stabilizer
Janome embroidery thread in color to match fabrics (Valora used red)
Janome embroidery thread in complementary color (Valora used purple)
Applique scissors

Fabric and Notions Required

Fabric and Notions Required
½ yd base fabric in white or neutral tone
Strips of three different fabrics in red or pink tones - 2”, 3” and 4” for both sizes
Two Pieces of ribbon or cording 12” long
Stuffing
Strips of fusible web (optional)

Instructions

Before you Start

1. Download the embroidery files:

Large Heart
Small Heart


2. Load the file into your embroidery machine.

Instructions



1. Place your base fabric in the hoop with the cutaway stabilizer and thread your machine with thread in color that matches your fabrics (Valora used red).
2. Stitch out the first color of the design – this will create the outline of the heart and indicate where you need to place your first fabric.
3. Lay your fabric face up over region 1.
4. Stitch out the next color of the embroidery design. This will stitch down the fabric over region 1, and place decorative stitching on top of that fabric.
5. Using appliqué scissors, trim the fabric along the outside edge of the heart as close to the stitching as possible. Trim the seam allowance of the fabric on the inside of the heart to ¼”.
6. Stitch out the next color of the design. This will indicate where your next fabric should be placed.
7. We will be using a stitch and flip method to complete the rest of the heart. Lay the next piece of fabric face down over top of piece 1, so that the edge of the fabric lies along the edge between piece 1 and piece 2, and overlaps by ¼” for the seam allowance.
8. Stitch out the next thread color to stitch down the fabric for piece 2.
9. Fold the fabric of piece 2 over, so that it covers region 2 of the design.
10. Stitch out the next thread color of the design to stitch this fabric in place.
11. Using appliqué scissors, trim the fabric along the outside edge of the heart as close to the stitching as possible. Trim the seam allowance of the fabric on the inside of the heart to ¼”.
12. Stitch out the next color of the design. This will indicate where your next fabric should be place.
13. Lay the fabric for piece 3 face down over the fabric for piece 1, with the fabric overlapping the common seam by ¼” for the seam allowance.
14. Stitch and flip in the same fashion as above.
15. Trim as indicated above.
16. Continue in this manner until you have completed all 6 regions of the heart design.
17. Change the thread color to the contrasting thread (purple in Valora’s sample).
18. Stitch the lace effects with the contrasting thread (This is built in to the design, and will be the next thread color in the progression of the embroidery design.)
19. Thread the machine with thread color that matches fabrics.
20. Make sure that the fabric along the outside of the design is trimmed as close as possible to the stitching and then stitch out the next thread color in the design. This will show where the tie will be attached.
21. Lay down the ribbon or cording and stitch the next thread color. This will stitch the ribbon or cording in place.
22. Repeat for the other side of the heart.
23. Collect the tails and tape to the center of the heart to ensure that they are not caught in the stitching for the backing of the heart.
24. Stitch the next thread color of the design. This will place a line of stitches ½” to the outside of the patched heart design.
25. Take a piece of the backing fabric, and press a ½” hem along the side of the fabric that will cross the width of the heart.
26. Lay this face down on the stitched heart so that it reaches half way up the heart (refer to photo for placement).
27. Lay another piece of fabric for the backing on top of this face down.
28. Stitch around the outside of the heart again. This will sew the back to the front.
29. Remove the heart from the hop and trim to ¼”, clipping the upper V for better turning. Turn ride side out and finger press along the seam.
30. Stuff.
31. Using fusible web strips, overlap the linking and fuse together or slip stitch closed.
32. Repeat, making both large and small hearts (see embroidery files for both) until you have created the desired number of ‘heart links’ for your pennant chain.
33. Using ribbon or cording, tie chain together, and hang.

Everyone is Talking about Heart Swag
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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