Hearts is the theme of two easy Valentine’s Day gifts perfect for spoiling the sweet toddler and tween girls in your life.

First is a teeny pouch bracelet perfect for storing candies or tiny love notes.

You can make it with either heart-shaped velcro and button closures …and you can hand sew it too rather than use a sewing machine if you’d like.

Next is a cute and simple mini-purse…

Like the bracelet the flap is actually a heart! Here it is shown open and turned over…

…and here it is open…

These are two easy and quick Valentine’s Day projects. Hearts!

Supplies:

• Kathy’s free template for the heart pocket bracelet and mini-purse for kids (PDF – this is for teeny toddler and tween wrists …to make this for larger wrists, just enlarge it on a copier or lengthen the straps)
• 1 square of red felt
• 1 square of dark pink felt
• Button (for mini-purse, optional for heart pocket bracelet)
• 6″ piece of grosgrain ribbon for mini-purse handle
• Embroidery floss
• Good fabric scissors
• Thread
• Fabric glue
• Sewing machine (optional – you can just hand-stitch or use fabric glue instead)
• Velcro® brand Sticky Back Tape or Velcro® brand Sew-On Tape (for bracelet)

Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign.

:: How to Make a Heart Pocket Bracelet ::
Download my free heart pocket bracelet template. Note that this pattern is sized for a 3-4 year old, so increase the size as needed by increasing the band size or enlarging the pattern on a Xerox machine before cutting. Pin onto the felt and cut out.

Here’s a video of how to make the bracelet …or just keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions and photos.

Fold the pocket in half, matching sides together. Sew the left and right sides using a zigzag stitch or just hand stitch it on your own.

Cut out my free heart pattern. Fold the heart template in half. Fold the felt in half so that you just have room to fit the template. Cut out your heart.

Notice the line on my heart pattern? The area above the line is the part that will be on the back of the heart. Use fabric glue to affix the top of the heart onto the back of the bracelet. Let this dry completely. I recommend putting it under a heavy book to ensure a good bond.

Cut out hearts from your velcro. I fold the velcro in half and cut. Peel back the adhesive and place on the band of the bracelet.

You can sew a few stitches in the Velcro heart like I did to ensure it stays secure.

Cut a small buttonhole in the heart flap.

Close the heart flap and mark where you should sew your button for the pocket to close. Sew the button and fill with sweet surprises.

:: How to Make a Heart Mini-Purse ::

Here’s a video of how to make the heart mini-purse …or just keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions and photos.

Cut out my free mini-purse bracelet template. Lay the rectangle pattern onto the felt and cut (you can pin the pattern to the felt first if you’d like).

Fold the rectangle together. Fold your ribbon in half and slip inside the layers on one side. Sew the left and right sides together using a zigzag stitch, leaving the top open.

Cut out the heart pattern and fold it in half. Place it on a folded felt square that’s slightly larger than the pattern. Cut and open your heart.

Notice the line on my heart pattern? The area above the line is the part that will be on the back of the heart. Put fabric glue onto the back of the heart above that line and affix to the mini-purse. Let this dry completely. I recommend putting it under a heavy book to ensure a good bond.

Cut a small buttonhole slit in the heart just large enough for the button to fit through. Careful, not too big!

Fold down your heart top and mark where the button will need to be placed to fit through the buttonhole. Sew on the button.

Did you make it? Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign. Craft and pass it on!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use free pattern and how to step-by-step tutorial for your own personal use. Contact me for any commercial use – this includes etsy sellers.

Comments (20)  | Permalink  | By Kathy on 1/31/2010