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    Home » Sewing

    DIY Valentine’s Day Sweatshirts

    Updated: May 19, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    graphic for pinterest, text and sweatshirt photos

    Make a cute sweatshirt perfect for a casual Valentine’s Day outfit! Choose between our “love” and “heart” DIY Valentine’s Day shirt tutorials with free applique patterns!

    coral and ivory sweatshirts on white table
    Table of Contents
    • DIY Valentine’s Day Shirt Tutorial
    • Instructions
    • FAQ’s
    • More Fun Valentine’s DIYs

    This tutorial, like many of my tutorials, started for selfish reasons. I wanted a cute sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt to wear in February for Valentine’s day. I was about to hit “buy” on a simple white shirt with a red heart when I realized that I could DIY it. Not only would it save me money, but it’s so crazy simple that I’d be dumb not to!

    My oldest daughter has been home with us this month and “bribed” her into modeling a set of Valentine’s Day sweatshirts!

    girl in ivory heart sweatshirt sitting on stairs

    DIY Valentine’s Day Shirt Tutorial

    Today’s tutorial will teach you how to turn a simple sweatshirt into an appliqued holiday sweatshirt. If there was ever a year for a comfy, casual Valentine’s Day outfit, it’s probably this year!

    All you’re going to need is some wool felt, fusible web, and your favorite sweatshirt.

    ivory sweatshirt, jeans and shoes on white table

    Sneakers can be purchased here.

    Included in the template download are two applique patterns for the shirts. A simple heart (as shown above) and a LOVE appliqued shirt.

    girl in ivory heart sweatshirt sitting on stairs

    Our shirts were made using sweatshirts from Comfort Colors & Target. I’ve linked our exact shirts below.

    girl in coral sweatshirt standing in front of french doors
    coral love sweatshirt, jeans and shoes on white table

    How to Get the Printable Pattern Pieces. You can get a copy of the pattern pieces used in this project in our Template Library. Access to the library is for our Newsletter subscribers, and subscriptions are free. Please visit this page and follow the instructions to get the pattern pieces. PLEASE READ the instructions on that page. NOTE: The PDF only contains the pattern piece; you still need to read this tutorial to complete your project.

    Instructions

    coral and ivory sweatshirts on white table
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    4.5 from 2 votes

    DIY Valentine’s Day Sweatshirts

    Create these cute "Love" and "Heart" Valentine's Day sweatshirts with our simple to follow sewing tutorial.
    Prep Time1 d 30 mins
    Active Time1 hr
    Total Time1 d 1 hr 30 mins
    Yield: 2 sweatshirts
    Author: Melissa Mortenson

    Tools

    • Sewing Machine
    • Basic Sewing Tools
    • Small Sharp Scissors
    • Quilt Ruler

    Materials

    • 2 pieces Wool Felt I used Ivory & Red
    • 1 package Heat N Bond
    • 1 Ivory Sweatshirt
    • 1 Coral Sweatshirt
    • 1 LOVE & Heart Template Download for free in our sewing template library.

    Instructions

    Create the Applique

    • Print out the applique pattern. The image has already been "mirrored" for you.
      LOVE being traced on heat n bond lite on black cutting board
    • Trace the shape onto the paper side of the Heat n Bond.
    • Following the package directions, iron the cutouts onto the felt (for most felt there is no right and wrong side, if yours has a side, iron it onto the wrong side of the felt).
      LOVE being traced on heat n bond lite on black cutting board
    • Cut out the letters precisely
      cut out ivory letters on black cutting mat
    • Find the center of your sweatshirt. Place a pin so you know where it is. Peel the paper backing off of the letters.
      Love cut out on coral sweatshirt
    • Using a ruler, evenly space the letters on the sweatshirt front. I like to place the bottom of my letters about 1" lower than the underarm seam.
      Love cut out on coral sweatshirt
    • When you get them where you want them, pin in place.
      Love cut out on coral sweatshirt
    • Move the sweatshirt to your ironing board. Removing one pin at a time, iron the letters to the sweatshirt. Again, follow the package instructions for iron settings etc.
    • On your sewing machine, topstitch along the outside of the letters.
      close up of stitching on sweatshirt
    • Repeat all the steps to create the heart sweatshirt. The heart is placed on the upper right-hand side of the shirt.
      red heart on ivory shirt on black cutting mat

    Copyright Notice

    ©www.polkadotchair.com – This is Copyrighted Content. You may NOT copy it, distribute it, sell it or package it with a kit. You may NOT teach a for-fee class using it. All items are for personal use only. No commercial use is allowed.

    FAQ’s

    Q: Can you wash the sweatshirts?

    A: Yes. I recommend washing your sweatshirt before you start. If it shrinks, then the applique may distort. I used wool felt for my sweatshirt, which is already shrunk. Don’t buy regular wool. It is not shrunk and “felted.” If you’re worried, run your wool through the washer and dryer before you start as well. The red felt may bleed after washing, so I’d be sure to use a color catcher in the wash load.

    Q: How did you get the stitches on the shirt? Did you have to take it apart?

    A: I did not have to take the shirt apart. I removed the arm from my sewing machine, which allowed me to manipulate the shirt under the presser foot easily. I did not have any issues. You will want to make sure as you rotate your shirt that you make sure you don’t accidentally sew over two layers.

    Q: Do I have to stitch it down?

    A: Nope! It’s up to you. I like the look of the stitching so I added it. If you do not sitch it down, it may not hold up as well after washing. If this is your plan, I recommend using Heat n Bond Ultra Bond, since it has a stronger adhesive. Also, make sure the adhesive is fully set with your iron.

    girl in coral sweatshirt standing in front of french doors
    girl in ivory heart sweatshirt sitting on stairs
    girl in ivory heart sweatshirt sitting on floor

    More Fun Valentine’s DIYs

    Cross My Heart Valentine’s Day Pillow Pattern

    Free Valentine’s Day SVG files for Cricut Machines

    40 Things to Sew for Valentine’s Day

    graphic for pinterest, text and sweatshirt photos

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      Heart Banner Tutorial; a Valentine's Day Craft Idea
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      DIY Valentine's Day T-Shirts and Free Valentine SVG Files
    • Felt Heart DIY Earbud Pouch - a free tutorial, makes a cute easy to make Valentine's Day gift. #earbudpouch #DIYearbudpouch #valentinesdaycrafts #valentinesdaygifts #diyvalentines #sewingproject #sewingpattern
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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara says

      February 08, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Your daughter is so pretty, with a beautiful smile. I like the Valentine sweatshirts with appliqué, plan on making a few. Happy Valentine’s Day!

      Reply

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    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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