How to Make Your Own Valentine

Erika Kern, contributor

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My kind of Valentine! Filled with all of the things I'd like in a beau. Know a fella like this? Why don't you send him my way!?!

Erika Kern

Shrink down a 100% wool sweater to make the wonderful felt fabric needed for this doll. All you have to do is wash it in hot water in your washing machine and dry it on hot in your dryer! That will turn a large wool sweater into an extra-small in no time flat!

Erika Kern

I used my thrifted typewriter to type out all of my ideal Valentine wishes, including brings me soup and juice when I'm sick, makes things, understands my dog, and loves sci-fi.

Erika Kern

My kind of Valentine! Filled with all of the things I'd like in a beau. Know a fella like this? Why don't you send him my way!?!

Photo: Erika Kern

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I must admit I'm not a big Valentine's Day fan. You see, I've never actually had a Valentine, but I suspect that even if I had, I wouldn't care for it. It seems to me that Valentine's Day only exists to make people in relationships feel as though they must spend spend spend to prove their love and to make the single out there feel as though they were the loneliest sots in all the world. Still, I am a romantic, and though Valentine-less, I still hope for love. This Valentine's Day I've decided why wait for Mr. Right when I can just make my own! Wanna make your own, too?

Here's what you'll need:

• A large, 100% wool sweater, felted down in the wash
• Craft scraps (I used felt and fabric paint, but you can use any sort of fabric, button, or embroidery)
• Embroidery floss or yarn
• Scissors
• Paper
• Typewriter or printer or pen

Shrink down a 100% wool sweater to make the wonderful felt fabric needed for this doll. All you have to do is wash it in hot water in your washing machine and dry it on hot in your dryer. That will turn a large wool sweater into an extra-small in no time flat!

I didn't add a set pattern for the Valentine because you should make it to suit your wants and needs. Making this for your own true love? Why don't you make it look like you!?! To move on from a breakup? Make an extreme version of your ex! As your dream beau? Just have fun! That's what I did! Just remember when making your pattern, add extra room for your seam allowance and stuffing.

Cut the shape of a person out of paper; it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be fun! I gave my Valentine a big head...I like a big brain! Pin the pattern to your felted sweater.

Cut out the front and back of your Valentine for the sweater. Now comes the fun part! Decorate your Valentine! I used felt and fabric paint because I have TONS of felt and fabric paint, but you can use whatever's floating around your craft space. 

I used scraps of felt for the accents of my Valentine and painted the face using fabric paint. If you don't have felt and paint handy, you could use floss or yarn to embroider details and buttons for fun accents.

I sewed my Valentine together using a blanket stitch, leaving a 3-inch-long hole under the right arm for stuffing.

Now that your Valentine is all sewn together, it's time to stuff it! I had a lot of sweater left over once cutting out my pattern but, sadly, not enough to make much out of it. What I did instead was cut it up to use as stuffing for my Valentine.

I cut up the extra bits of sweater to stuff my new Valentine!

Along with the sweater stuffing, I stuffed my Valentine with wishes. 

I used my thrifted typewriter to type out all of my ideal Valentine wishes, including brings me soup and juice when I'm sick, makes things, understands my dog, and loves sci-fi. No typwriter? Just write everything out or print it all out using your printer

If you're making this for your love, write out all the things you love most about him/her. Making it to get over your ex? Write all the things you couldn't stand!

All of my ideal Valentine wishes are cut out and ready to roll.

My Valentine's wishes are all rolled up and ready to be added to the stuffing.

Once you have your wishes rolled and your stuffing cut, stuff your Valentine and sew it up.

My kind of Valentine! Filled with all of the things I'd like in a beau. Know a fella like this? Why don't you send him my way!?!

I added a tag on my beau. If your Valentine's a gift, add a list of all the things you've stuffed inside it. Let your love know how you feel. That's better than any dinner you could buy. Heck! Letting your love know how you feel is the best Valentine of all!

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Comments (24)

utzon writes: I'll never throw away a worn-out sweater again..!
Posted: 12:49 pm on April 20th

EchoLin writes: that's really a good gift for boys in the Valentine's day. But, i think it is a little difficult to me.
Posted: 4:50 am on March 6th

mimabee writes: This is such a fun project! Love the idea of filling it with "desired" traits! Years ago, a friend used to sing a song about making a "boyfriend" using the legs of an old piano, and other things to make a dummy who would give her more love than the actual boyfriend she had! Your darling doll reminded me of that.
You are very creative! Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 8:56 pm on January 25th

belleeven writes: awww, so cute! excellent tutorial - thanks for summing up the felting process so succinctly too. :)
Posted: 6:03 pm on March 13th

susan72 writes: Cut & handsome, so huggable. Would you be selling him???? senior sue will buy one!! Thank you introducing a cutie pie! Susan J
Posted: 8:00 pm on January 30th

tropicgirlie writes: I loved this idea, I am far away from my boyfriend and I know its not valentine's day anymore but you can give a gift like this anytime!
Posted: 8:36 pm on March 24th

irishwings writes: This Valentine doll is just too cute.My hubby wears glasses and I'm going to make this for him.I'm going to make a netted sack attached to a piece of twig that he carries with some chocolate goodies in it.Thank You for sharing!!
Posted: 8:10 pm on February 3rd

WoodPondDesigns writes: I am so cracking up reading this post! Your personality really shines in this project. The little man is too cute and I love the sweater stuffing and the little notes too. Thanks!
Posted: 7:54 pm on February 3rd

madaboutmonty writes: My boyfriend looks just like that!
Posted: 10:33 am on March 4th

VictoriaNorth writes: deAmbra: That is awesome! You should upload a photo of your dolls so we can see how they turned out.
Posted: 2:32 pm on February 11th

deAmbra writes: This was so much fun! My husband is in the Army researves and goes away for drill every month. He misses our boys terribly while he is gone. I thought why not make these dolls with the boys picture for the face? I simply copied a picture of their face onto fabic. Then cut around. Blanket stitched onto the doll. Had each boy put prayers or comments to their dad inside. And let the boys stuff them. They had so much fun and now dad can sleep with his boys when he is away! Thanks for the idea!
Posted: 11:45 am on February 11th

eyesaflame writes: Ok, mental note made: I have my eyes peeled for a guy who looks just like this . . . if found, will send him your way!
Posted: 1:17 pm on February 7th

rainwolfe writes: This is so cute! With the little rolled up wishes it could be great as a gift to girlfriends, or even modified for birthday,etc gifts.

(and I have to agree-- the face is pretty nifty)
Posted: 12:21 pm on February 2nd

Joansy writes: I am maaking a train engineer for my husband. His hobby is model steam engines
Posted: 9:48 pm on February 1st

jenniferofthejungle writes: I love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Posted: 8:23 pm on February 1st

erika_kern writes: I'm sure you could use rice. I suspect it'd be floppy like a beanie and it might be a bit messy to work with but I say go for it!
Posted: 12:25 pm on January 31st

Nomer writes: This is soooooooo great. I love it-especially since I was looking for something "creative" to do this weekend. What would happen if you used rice to stuff him with? That way you "nuke" him and he will be even more effective!!!


Posted: 8:48 am on January 31st

jitka writes: Hi there,

I love this little idea, I think I will make one for my sister in law's newborn!

Sorry I don't have a picture here yet, I am quite new to the website and still need to work it out and put on my contributions.

I love sewing from old sweaters, its so much fun and doesn't cost a thing.

Jitka x
Posted: 3:32 am on January 31st

Sister_Diane writes: This is so wonderful - especially those little rolled-up wishes.
Posted: 7:54 pm on January 29th

erika_kern writes: You should do it Vicky! The face is super easy, it's just a bit of fabric paint. The key is to add the bit of white in the eye to add that extra glimmer. The glasses are just a bit of felt I cut out and sewed on over the face.
Posted: 4:05 pm on January 28th

dany4bec writes: This is so cute...I love it.
Posted: 3:48 pm on January 28th

VictoriaNorth writes: I want to make this, but I doubt I could make the face look as cool as this. Sorry I couldn't be at the show. It sounds like you all had a good time meeting each other.
Posted: 12:34 pm on January 28th

erika_kern writes: Aw, right back at you, girly!
Posted: 12:34 pm on January 28th

Jen_W writes: I love this so much and after meeting you, I love you too.
Posted: 12:28 pm on January 28th

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