Heart Patches Doily Rectangle Card

Seven paper “patches” are assembled onto angular heart base 

(with narrow exposed “border” offset layer peeking from behind) 

to present a patchwork appeal Valentine, birthday, 

get well, or thinking of you card. 

Loopy thread with subtle knot end overlays attaches to center key 

(layer for built-up thickness, if desired). 

Patchwork heart rests on a rectangular doily on 

the center of 5.5x7 side-folded base. 

Word cut “sweetheart” sentiment 

(or alternatives “be mine” or “love you”)

is placed at heart bottom.

(A companion doily flap envelope is also available

for download for this slightly non-standard card size.)

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base with vertical center perforation for fold

B front doily panel

C heart patches assembly base

D heart patchwork shapes (7 unique)

E heart offset margin shape

F key with multiples for buildup thickness (4-5)

G key "ribbon", knot overlay base double & single shapes

H sweethearts word cut with multiples for buildup thickness (2)

2. Prepare the build up shapes (if including them) so

they can cure while other assembly progresses:

layer key face shape with second duplicate, taking

care to align all cut edges as precisely as possible,

 then continue to attach remaining multiples behind,

taking same care for alignment.

Repeat for the "sweetheart" word cut.

While the stacked/glued up shapes are drying,

immediately place under a heavy, flat weight to

press - this will help avoid curling or warping of

the shape(s) while the liquid adhesive dries.

Allow to dry thoroughly - up to a few hours.

3. Identify the middle patch placement guide marks

on the assembly heart base (smaller than the offset base).

4. Working quickly so that the glued up assemblage

can be pressed flat while glue is drying,

position the middle shape to line up precisely

with the corner guide marks, also make sure that

the threading punch holes align precisely,

and glue in place.

5. Position the bottom "point" patch along the bottom

cut edges of the alignment heart so that edges match

up precisely, and so that it abuts the bottom edge of

middle patch, and glue in place.

6. Continue to position and attach the patches,

using heart base cut edges and previously-placed

patches to assist with precise placement, and glue

each in place until all are assembled onto base.

7. Immediately press the assembly under a heavy flat

shape such as this book or equivalent, and allow to dry

thoroughly - up to an hour.

8. Position and attach the patchwork assembly onto

the front of the offset margin (larger) heart shape,

taking care that stitch holes align precisely,

and that edge margin is consistently even all around.

(If using liquid adhesive for this, press flat while drying.)

9. Position and attach the thickened key at heart

vertical center, and adjust so that the stitch punch

holes are just below head, on both sides of shaft.

10. With needle and twine or perle cotton, anchored

on backside near holes with a piece of cello tape,

bring twine to front, wrap over shaft and bring to backside,

and repeat to build up several stitches for desired thickness.

Take twine to backside final time, trim to 1/2" tail

and anchor to backside with small piece of cello tape.

11. Position and attach front doily panel to folded

card front panel.

12. Position the heart patchwork assembly onto

the front panel, centering from side to side,

and adjusted to have the same margin at top 

as for sides (slightly higher than centered),

and glue in place.

13. Prepare the "ribbon" accent by positioning and

attaching the single knot shape onto the right half

of the double shape so that corresponding edges

align. Then . . . 

. . . position and attach the assembly onto

the ribbon accent where shapes align, to give

the appearance of a built-up knot.

Here is the finished ribbon assembly.

14. Position the ribbon accent over the key on card front

so that the knot straddles the top key loop, adjust to position

the loop extensions in approximate position shown, and attach.

Also position and attach selected sentiment word cut

at heart bottom as shown. 

Here is the completed card front.

Multi Tabs Love You Card

 Pattern play is on full display with this simple concept card. 

Choose 14 “scraps” to cut the double-pointed tabs 

which align along the vertical center of card. 

Fold and “real” stitch by hand with twine or perle cotton 

the pleated “ribbon” accent that covers the seam. 

(Or glue alternate version.) 

Add word cutouts “love” and “YOU” plus 

add purchased or paper stacked “buttons” as finishing touches. 

Card measures approx. 5x7 when side folded. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base with vertical perforation fold

B card front panel

C pleated "lace" shapes to join into single length

(NOTE: lace color was changed for final card model)

D 14 half tabs of varied, coordinated pairs widths/lengths

in a variety of harmonious prints and solids

E "love" word cut shapes for layered build up (2-3)

F "YOU" word cut shapes for layered build up (3-4)

G two sets of heart "button" accents, to layer

for build up (2 pairs of 4 shapes each)

2. Stack and glue together the built-up shapes

so they can dry/cure while other assembly progresses.

Take care to line up all cut edges as precisely as possible.

heart buttons: align and glue together 4 shapes

love: align and glue together 2-3 shapes

YOU: align and glue together 3-4 shapes

To assist the stacked and glued shapes, press under

a flat, heavy object such as a book or this fabric-covered

re-purposed free weight, until completely dried

(up to a few hours).

3. Identify the perforation guide marks cut into

the front panel to assist with tab array assembly.

Center guide mark will help with end-to-end placement.

Bottom guide mark will assist bottom tabs lower edge placement.

4. Position one of the bottom tabs at lower and

center guide marks, and attach, then . . .

. . . position and attach the opposite of the bottom pair,

taking care that ends abut snugly, and bottom edges align.

5. Continue to assemble the tabs, placing snugly

into positions abutting previously placed tabs.

NOTE: for some prints, it may be desirable to cut 

a template and "fussy cut" the shape to capture

the desired portion of the print. Take care that

any tracing lines are CUT OFF to avoid expansion

of the stacks and misalignment at top panel margin.

In these cases, it may be helpful to "dry fit" the tabs

to see where top edge falls, and trim slightly as needed. 

6. To prepare the stitched "lace" center accent,

follow these steps:

A) prepare the two lengths by bending at perforation lines

in a box pleating arrangement, beginning with the perfs

near one rounded-end (face up) to bend first line as "valley"

fold, then second as "mountain" fold.

B) Create the double box fold arrangement by bending

the third line as "mountain" fold and the fourth line

as "valley" fold, etc.

C) Continue in same sequence to create the double

box pleating where narrow segments bridge between

wider segments . . .

. . . with pleats abutting at front and back.

D) Complete pleat folding along both shapes,

including the tab fold ("valley") on connecting end

of shorter length.

7. Position and attach middle seam of lace,

with straight end edge of long shape overlapping

the tab to perforation line, then . . . 

. . . re-bend in pleating sequence at seam.

(Here you can see the pleating continue across seam joint.)

8. Apply a little glue along the center - on each side

of the stitching holes - between the layers that will be

invisible when the lace is folded. And then . . .

. . . reverse the assembly and repeat for the underside

at along the center in the same manner.

Here is the completed lace panel, with the rounded

ends as bottom layer, under the long segment.

9. To complete the stitching, cut a length of twine or

perle cotton and thread onto the finest darning needle

possible (approx. no. 24). Anchor the non-needle end

of twine near the first stitch hole using a small piece of

cello tape.

Insert needle front to back, through the first hole

- through all layers - and draw twine through to front, 

pulling us slack (here and throughout).

On front, insert needle through all layers, push through,

and draw twine through.

Continue the back to front alternating stitch through

holes in sequence across the length.

At opposite end, when twine is pulled through to back fully,

trim excess twine leaving a 1/2" tail.

Anchor tail end near final stitch hole with small piece

of cello tape.

10. Position the completed lace assembly down

center of tabs to hide the "seam", and attach center.

Here is the completed card.

Top Hat 3D Mini Candy Cup

Diminutive fancy hat with heart ring (with individual heart overlays) 

under-rim embellishment and side panel harlequin 

contrast triangles and bands can serve as a candy “nut cup” container 

at a fancy table setting for Valentines, prom, New Year’s Eve or brunch. 

When constructed using the optional slot brim layers, 

the small name card tag can have a corner tucked in 

for a place card variation. Inverted, the hat is just the right size 

to “top off” the “Snowman 3D Up Gazer Fig” separate design 

(with or without embellishments). 

Hat cut measures approx. 2.25” tall x 3.7” brim diameter 

(holds approx. 3/4 Cup loose contents such as candy). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A hat crown

B crown top inner hexagon (with star cutout I.D.)

C crown top outer hexagon 'lid'

D main brim with hexagon opening for crown edges

E under-brim with circle opening

F optional crown triangle accent shapes (6)

G bands: wide base with narrower overlays (3 ea.)

H hearts ring      I individual heart overlays (5-6)

J special individual heart with slot cutout

K place card tag with hole reinforcement accent

2. Prepare the crown shape by bending back on vertical\

perforation lines and top edge tabs, forward on

bottom edge tabs.

3. If desired, position and attach the triangle "harlequin"

accent shapes into each section of the crown,

with bottom wide edge aligned at tab perf line.

4. Form the crown into a tube to bring the side edges

together, overlapping the straight edge across the tab

to align at perforation line, and glue the seam.

5. Bend the crown top tabs straight up or outward

to allow the inner hexagon (with star symbol) to fit . . .

. . .inside the tube to fit at the tabs' angles, then . . . 

. . . apply adhesive to the underside of top tabs . . .

. . . and bend them down at perpendicular angle

to attach to the top of the inner hexagon.

NOTE: the best way to apply pressure to the seam

edges is to invert the crown assembly top down

on flat surface and reach fingertips inside to press

along each of the tab-to-hexagon seams until secure.

6. Position and attach the outer hexagon 'lid'

to conceal the construction.

7. At crown bottom, bend the tabs straight down

or slightly inward to allow hexagon opening brim ring

to slip over them, then . . . 

. . . bend tabs outward and glue in place to

the underside of the brim.

NOTE: one of the best ways to do this is to

invert the brim (tabs side down) on top of flat surface

then apply fingertip pressure all around each

angle next to the crown until seams are secure.

8. Prepare all hand band double strips by bending

slightly at the center perforations.

9. Center and attach the narrower contrast band

strip over the top of the wider main band, with bends

aligned and stacked.

10. Trim the narrow contrast bands even with

the wider bands at each end.

11. Position the hat band assembly at the base

of the crown with the bend seated at a crown panel

angle, and take note of any extra length at sides

of the panels that band halves cross.

If necessary, trim any slight excess, but take care

NOT to trim off too much!

Glue band in place, then repeat for the other 2 sections.

12. These instructions will proceed to show how to

create the place card version, with brim slot.

Here are the shapes that will be used for the hearts

ring decoration. NOTE that one of the contrast heart overlays

includes the partial slot cut out.

Position and attach the slot-cut out heart over

the heart repeat where slot cut out will align.

Then, alternate positions to place and attach

the remaining 5 contrast hearts.

13. Position the hearts ring assembly, centered with

equal margin between hearts' top/inner edge and

circle opening, taking care to line up and match

the slot cut out, then . . . 

. . . glue in place.

14. Attach the punch hole reinforcement ring

at the hole of place card.

15. Prepare to glue the under brim to the bottom

of the hat assembly by checking to see where

the name tag will tuck into the slot - with the affected

space needing to be left UNGLUED.  

With the name tag inserted into the slot, turn

brim to view backside and mark around the edge

of place card corner, marking the area between markings

and slot that will need to be kept "glue-less".

16. On underside of brim, apply glue everywhere in

usual manner, except don't apply glue in marked area.

Then . . . 

. . . position and attach underbrim to bottom of

hat assembly. NOTE: it may be helpful to place

brim face down on flat surface then place flat heavy

objects all around brim to help press it flat, to

avoid warping and curling of brim layers, until dry.

17. To finish the place card top hat, prepare the tag

with hand printed or printer-printer (cut and print, etc.)

name, then tuck corner into slot. If needed, use a little

temp double stick tape, glue dot, etc. to keep it flat.

Here is the straight on view . . .

. . . and here is the upright sitting view.

18. If desired, fill cup with candy, nuts, other loose

treats, etc.