Heart-Ford Heart Pocket

Blogger: Elise Ribeira

There is nothing more festive and fun on Valentine’s Day (or any day!) than wearing a special dress for the occasion. Learn to turn the Hartford dress into the perfect Valentine’s Day design for your little one with a cute heart pocket detail!

The Hartford dress I will be showcasing has a long sleeved knit bodice with a neck binding and woven skirt. Here are some suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.

To begin:

1. Download the free heart pocket pattern pieces.

2. Purchase the Hartford pattern if you don’t already have it for children or babies.

3. Cut out your pattern pieces.

Lightweight knits can shift easily. Use a sharp rotary cutter to help with accuracy and speed. Pin your pattern piece to the fabric or using pattern weights to prevent shifting.

Cut out two sets of hearts- one main and one lining.

Instructions: 

If not adding the ruffle, skip to #5

1. To construct the ruffle, fold the strip in half right sides together and match up the short ends. Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew the short ends together. Press the seams open. (Lace or trim can be used for the ruffle as well.)

2. Fold the long sides in half wrong sides together and press.

3. Sew a gathering stitch around the raw edge of the folded strip.

4. Gather and pin to fit the right side of the main heart piece. Ironing the gathers can help with keeping them in place. Baste to attach using a 1/4” seam allowance.

5. Place the lining on top of the main heart piece right sides together. If you made the ruffle, it will be sandwiched between the main and lining. Pin in place.

Sew around the heart using a 1/2” seam allowance. When reaching the points of the heart, keep the needle down, left the foot and pivot the heart for a nice, sharp turn. Stop one to two inches before finishing the seam, leaving a small opening.

Clip the curves and trim down the corners, taking care not to cut through stitching.

Turn the heart right side out through the opening. Carefully poke out the curves and corners. Press.

Starting a little more than halfway up the heart, with a 1/8” seam allowance topstitch across the top of the heart, ending around the same place on the opposite side.

Take the front skirt fold it in half and press to make a center crease. Place the hearts on either side of the center line 2 to 4 inches out from the center fold, and 4 to 7 inches down from the top.

(Feel free to put the pockets anywhere you’d like, this is just a recommended placement). Pin in place.

Continue constructing and attaching the skirt per the pattern instructions!