I mentioned the other day how I really want to try some dress making. I have started with some simple steps in customising clothing – baby steps first! What would an English Paper Piecing obsessed mother make for her daughter? Yes, EPP hearts for Valentine’s Day.

Simple Liberty heart-shaped patch

I found a super sweet tutorial from Wild Olive for simple heart-themed English paper piecing. Baste two jewel shapes, then stitch them together to form a heart. You can then adorn anything you like from hand towels to clothing.

I found some gorgeous Liberty scraps in my stash just waiting for the perfect project.

I made up 4 jewels, ironed them and stitched two together to form the heart.

Then I positioned them just over the elbow on my daughter’s long-sleeved top, removed the paper templates and basting stitches, and hand sewed them with some white embroidery thread.

My daughter loves them and I think they are a lovely addition to her clothes for 30 minutes work. She adores cloth patches so I’m thinking I can make some more for the knees of her jeans too!

What do you think of customised clothing? Have you ever made clothes or customised anything?