The “Be My Valentine” Fabric Vase Holder, featuring Sweet Victorian Valentine images, is one of my favorite free patterns I’ve created. The printable vintage valentine images are included with the assembly diagram which you can download by clicking on this link: Fabric Vase Holder.
Last Valentine’s Day, I designed the Heart Beats Pillow Pattern inspired by my lovely daughter. This year’s inspiration came from my love of Victorian era fashion and my darling granddaughter.
The finished size of this fabric container is 15″ circumference by 9″ tall. I bought a very simple, inexpensive vase to fit in mine. Of course, fabric containers are so cute, you can use them to hold whatever you’d like. Use this basic design to create a larger or smaller fabric container. You could add ribbon, beads or embroidery to achieve different styles of fabric containers.
Materials Needed:
- 5 Fabrics as indicated on assembly chart
- Sewing machine & matching thread
- Hand sewing needle
- Iron-on transfer paper
- Ink-jet printer to print images for transfer
- Fusible Fleece
- Scissors
- Iron & press cloth
- Washaway fabric marker
Let’s Get Started!
First thing you need to do is download the pattern PDF file (if you have not done so already). Cut fabric pieces for front panel, bottom, fleece & lining as indicated.
Iron-on transfer images fused to fabric
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for iron-on transfers. Of course, you don’t have to use my Vintage Valentine Images. Feel free to create your own or use none at all. You could simply substitute another fabric of your choice in those sections. I say, “Do what you like! There is no wrong design, only variations!”
Section 3 pieces assembled
Piece together Section 3 as shown in diagram using a Scant 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seam allowances to one side, but use a press cloth and be very careful of the iron-on transfer images! Don’t put a hot iron directly on them! (Can you say, “Gooey Mess”?)
All 4 sections assembled and pressed
Sew Section 1 to Section 2, right sides together following your assembly diagram. Sew Section 3 to Section 2, then Section 4 to Section 3. Press seam allowances to one side, again, be very careful not to touch a hot iron on your iron-on images. This panel should measure 15.5″ wide x 9.5″ tall.
NOTE: If your 1/4″ seam allowances are too “fat”, your finished panel will end up too small! That’s why it is important to use a SCANT 1/4″ seam allowance (this is about a pencil line narrower than 1/4″).
Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of your assembled panel. I cut my fleece panel just a tiny bit smaller than my fabric panel, so nothing is hanging out around the edges when I fuse the fleece to it.
Pin & sew lining to finished panel at top edge
Place lining right sides together with front panel and sew across the top edge.
Fold in half bringing side raw edges together
Flip lining up and bring side raw edges right sides together.
Stitch side seam
Stitch side seam starting at lower panel edge up to top edge of lining using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Bottom
Bottom pieces: fusible fleece, lining & outside bottom
Fuse fleece to wrong side of bottom fabric piece.
Lining basted to fleece side of bottom piece
Place wrong side of lining piece on fleece side of bottom panel and baste together around edge keeping basting inside the 1/4″ seam allowance.
Pin bottom piece to container & stitch
Here is the trickiest part! Pin the bottom piece to the container right sides together & stitch using 1/4″ seam allowance.
Tip: Use lots of pins and go slow when stitching!
Finishing
Top stitch 1/8″ from top edge
Close up view of finished top edge
Flip lining down and topstitch 1/8″ from top edge of container.
Container inside out with lining lower edge turned under
With container inside out, pull lining down and turn bottom raw edge under 1/2″.
Stitch lining to lining bottom
Stitch in place to bottom lining as shown using the ladder stitch or just tiny stitches. (This is on the inside so no one will be looking at it.)
Lovely Valentine’s Day (or every day) centerpiece!
Flip container right side out, insert vase of lovely flowers and ENJOY!
Everyone loves a party! Look for me at these LINKY PARTIES!
This Infinity Scarf, sewn from fleece, takes just minutes to make! You only need basic sewing skills to complete this project. You will be using one hand sewing stitch, the Ladder Stitch. I have a photo tutorial for this stitch if you have never done it. Find it here: Ladder Stitch Photo Tutorial.
