Hearts for Christchurch

I have started making hearts for the people of Christchurch after the earthquake there but I have to say, I can't believe the devastation in Japan! At the time I'm writing this, the nuclear power plant has exploded but they are still not sure what has happened there exactly. I guess we can feel a bit smug here in New Zealand, being nuclear free. Somehow, feeling smug doesn't feel good in this situation!

Just to lighten the mood slightly, here's a site showing how Christchurch residents are coping with the disruption to sewerage. There are some great inventive people there! Have a look at these long drops.

So, they really need something like a stuffed heart to decorate their dunnies, don't they. :) Seriously though, I think Hearts for Christchurch is a great project and a lovely way to show support.  I hope Evie, the organiser of the appeal, gets 400,000 hearts.

Here is my first heart in the making...

Asymmetric heart inside a symmetrical heart

I tried using the 'making great circles' method I've posted about before, just to see how far I could take the technique.  This method works for shapes other than circles as long as they are large enough and convex.  The left side of my heart is slightly concave and that presented a problem, as did the concave peak at the top. I ended up using hand applique for the peak.

Auditioning the fabric

I wanted to quilt my heart.  I cut out a heart shape in thin cotton batting and put it behind the appliqued heart with no backing fabric. After I quilted it, I put the backing fabric on right side together and stitched around the batting so that there was only fabric in the seam.  That kept the bulk from the seam and meant that I could turn it out.  I left a hole for stuffing and then hand stitched the hole. The ribbon was stitched into the seam when I added the back.

And here is my completed heart.  I have put a message on the back but that's for the recipient only!  If you would like to make a heart, click here.