Even if you love chocolates, getting a heart-shaped box of them for Valentine’s Day has become about as heartfelt as someone cleaning up their room after they’ve been told to.

But there is an easy way to stand out on this most obligatory of sweets-cards-and-flowers holiday: Avoid store-bought like the plague (unless it cost you both arms and legs) and put in some genuine effort.

Here to help rescue the masses from cliche present hell is Denise Wild, sewing savant and founder of LoveSewing.com, with her simple and heart-themed sew-it-yourself pillow project. Only basic needlework skills are required, but we won’t judge if you cheat and glue gun this one.

Also the former editor of Flare and Canadian House & Home, Wild is in town to share her years of expertise during the BC Home & Garden Show (Feb. 20-24) and 24 hours had a chance to pick her crafty brain ahead of the BC Place event.

24h> How do you revamp a room with fabric and basic sewing skills?

Freshen things up for a season or add a pop of colour by changing the fabric on small accessories and soft furnishings, or go for a dramatic change by reupholstering a couch or redoing your curtains. If you have minimal sewing skills, do what you can, and keep hemming tape (gasp!) and a staple gun on hand. Otherwise, ask a friend to help, or hire a pro.

24h> Where should you splurge versus save on home projects?

Splurge on fabric for larger pieces such as couches and drapes, and save on fabric for smaller items like toss cushions and ottoman slipcovers. Smaller items add visual impact, but they can be easily replaced or recovered for a minimal cost.

24> What do you love about DIY?

With DIY, you get exactly what you want! It's usually cheaper than buying, plus it's a great creative outlet. You're using your hands, you're thinking creatively, and you're doing something different.

For more tips and tricks tweet her at @TheSewingStudio and check out LoveSewing.com.

Wild's materials came from Janome.ca and Camelot Fabrics.com.

1. Felt pillow project how-to

Materials:

• 2 pieces of solid poly/cotton blend 18”x 18”
• white felt 12” x 20”
• dressmaking pins
• a spool of white thread
• sewing machine
• 18” x 18” pillow form

Tutorial:

1. 1. DECORATE: Cut hearts out of the white felt: One large, one medium, four small.
2. 2. Pin the hearts in place on one piece of the fabric.
3. 3. Use an overedge zigzag stitch around the perimeter of the large and medium hearts to secure them in place.
4. 4. Using a straight stitch, sew up the centre of the small hearts to secure them in place.
5. 5. SEW THE PILLOW: Pin the two pieces of fabric right sides together.
6. 6. Sew around the entire pillow, leaving a 10” gap on one side.
7. 7. Flip the pillow right-side-out, insert the pillow form, and hand-sew the gap closed.

2. Ribbon pillow project how-to

Materials:

• 2 pieces of solid poly/cotton blend 18” x 18”
• 10 feet (3m) of white ribbon
• a spool of white thread
• sewing machine
• 18” x 18” pillow form

Tutorial:

1. 1. DECORATE: Cut the ribbon into 16 pieces of varying sizes.
2. 2. Tie each ribbon piece into a bow.
3. 3. Draw a large heart in the middle of one piece of the fabric.
4. 4. Sew over the drawn heart using a zigzag stitch.
5. 5. Position the ribbons and use a narrow zigzag stitch to secure each knot in place.
6. 6. SEW THE PILLOW: (Same as felt pillow).

Tweet Julia at @JuliaDilworth.

Poll

What do you want most for Valentine's Day?

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

• Sweets

• Red roses

• Something homemade or original

• Dinner

• Nothing!

Vote

or view results

0% 0 votes	Sweets
0% 0 votes	Red roses
0% 0 votes	Something homemade or original
0% 0 votes	Dinner
0% 0 votes	Nothing!

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