This Valentine heart decoration is kind of special for me. It is made with a recycled sweater scarf I made about 9 years ago as part of a book pitch on recycled sweater projects. I did in fact get a book deal and published Sweater Surgery. This particular recycled wool felted sweater scarf however didn’t make it into the book as it is made using a serger and wooly nylon thread. It was decided that since it required slightly more advanced techniques beyond a standard sewing machine it wouldn’t be a good fit.
I love this skinny ruffle scarf as it is so soft as the original sweater it was made from had some angora in it.
To make the scarf you simply cut a wavy strip from the recycled wool felted sweater.
Run it through the serger loaded with wooly nylon thread pulling it so that you create the ruffle.
If you don’t happen to have this particular scarf laying around I’m sure any scarf or strip of fabric will work.
The base of this heart decoration is a recycled wire hanger. I bent it into a heart shape by first pulling the center of the bottom wire down into a point. Then rounded the top areas into the curves of the heart.
To gather the scarf I used some matching Coats and Clark Dual Duty thread and a long sewing needle to make a large running stitch down the center of the scarf.
Keep stitching and gathering until the scarf is the same length as the wire hanger.
To attach the ruffled gathered scarf onto the wire hanger I used tiny safety pins as I will probably take this project apart after Valentine’s Day so I can wear the scarf again.
For a final touch I tied a bow with a small piece of black lace to coordinate with the black edging of the scarf and pinned it onto the heart at the “v”.
I hope you take a peek around your closet or fabric stash and try making a gathered heart decoration to celebrate the season.
Stefanie Girard is a crafter with a re-purpose. She has been cutting stuff up since she was old enough to hold a pair of scissors in her tiny hands. She earned her degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute and move to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry first as a Set Decorator and Prop Master then onto TV Producer specializing in How-To TV shows for HGTV and the DIY Networks. After writing 5 craft books for the Quarto Publishing Group she now spreads the crafty word online through book reviews and original projects with a focus on recycled elements.
Do you have something laying around so you can make a wall decoration?
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