This post was created in partnership with Baby Lock.
Thanks for supporting the brands that help us share fun content with you!
Want to see all my favorite machines, tools, and accessories? Check out my Baby Lock affiliate page.
Bag charms are in and I’m here for this trend!
I always love a fun accessory and bags charms make it easy to personalize your favorite purse, tote, or duffle. I’ve created a fun, scrap busting free pattern for making your own puffy heart bag charms. These are quick to make and the perfect way to use up scraps of your most beloved fabrics.
This would make a great Valentine’s Day gift for friends! Get a head start on your Valentine’s Day sewing today, keep reading for the full tutorial.
Ruffled Heart Bag Charm
Supplies
1 fat quarter of cotton fabric (18″ x 22″)
1 Metal lobster claw clasp
Polyfil or cotton stuffing
1 tiny woven label, like our hearts or daisies
Tools
Sewing machine
Matching thread
Pins
Scissors
Chalk pen or chalk liner
Step 1 – Print And Cut Pattern
Download the free printable heart pattern and print it at 100% size. Cut out the heart pattern along the solid black line.
Step 2 – Cut Fabric
Cut one strip of fabric that is 22″ x 2″ long. 22″ is the width of 1 fat quarter which makes this the perfect project for using them. If you are using scraps, simple sew multiple pieces together to make your own long strip and press seam allowances open.
Fold the remaining fabric in half, right sides together. Place the heart pattern on the fabric and trace with chalk or a fabric marker. Cut out the heart shapes. You will have one long strip of fabric and 2 heart shape pieces.
Step 3 – Make the Ruffle
Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew the short ends of the ruffle piece together (this is the 2″ side). Press seams open.
Fold in half with wrong sides together and press. 
Change your stitch length to the longest stitch available, this is typically 5mm.
Starting just before the side seam, sew a long basting stitch 1/8″ from the raw edge of the fabric all the way around. Leave the long tails on both ends.
Gently pull the bobbin (bottom) thread tails to gather the fabric and create a ruffle. Use your fingers to evenly distribute the gathers.
Step 4 – Pin and Baste Ruffle
Place one heart fabric piece right side up. Align the raw edges of ruffle and the outer edge of the heart fabric. Pin in place and adjust the gathers as needed. Baste about 1/8″ from the edge all the way around the hole the ruffle in place.
Open a small woven label and slide the circle side of a metal lobster clasp through the label. Pin the label on the top right side of one of the heart pieces. The metal clasp will be towards the inside of the heart shape. Baste in place, keeping in mind a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Step 5 – Pin and Sew Heart
Place the second heart shape on top, right sides together and pin.
Use a 1/4″ seam allowance and sew all the way around the heart shape. Pivot at the top center of the heart. Leave a 1″ – 1.5″ wide opening along one of the sides. Back stitch as the beginning and ending of your stitching.
Step 6 – Flip and Fill
Carefully turn the heart shape right side out. Use a point turner (or a chopstick works great!) to gently push out the edges of the heart shape. Press.
Fill with the heart with polyfil. You can also use sliced up fabric scraps or cotton batting here too.
Step 7 – Sew Closed
Finger press the opening edges closed and edge stitch the opening closed. Use thread that matches the fabric to make it more hidden.
