Random Acts of Quilt Kindness: Pocket Hugs

Sometimes the people you love are far away, but you still want them to know how much you love and care about them. What better way than to send them a Pocket Hug – a little tiny quilt they can carry around with them, give a little squeeze, and remember how much you love them even when you can’t be there to do it yourself!

Here’s a quick and easy tutorial for how to make your own quilted hugs to give to the people that you love! This tutorial is great for using scraps and you can mix it up by using any combination of colors or prints that you have on hand. You can also find a BONUS free printable version of this tutorial at the bottom of the page (that includes a template for the perfect size heart for your pocket hug), so keep reading!

Tools:

• Fabric scissors (or rotary cutter)
• Quilting ruler
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine (or quilting needle for hand sewing)
• Coordinating cotton thread

Supplies:

• 1 – 3 ½” square of Pocket Hug Top fabric (we used a white leaf print)
• 1 – 3 ½” square of Pocket Hug Back fabric (we used a dark blue blender)
• 1 – 2 ½” square of Pocket Hug Heart fabric (we used a dark blue flower print)
• 1 – 1 ½” x 20” strip of binding fabric (we used a white blender)
• 1 – 4” square of batting*

*Tip: If you don’t have any batting on hand try using a square of flannel or fleece instead!

Shop True Fabrics to add to your stash! 

Block Assembly

Step 1

Using the stencil* included in the BONUS free printable, trace the heart onto your Pocket Hug Heart fabric. Carefully cut out the heart using scissors (or a rotary cutter if you’re extra careful!).

*Watch Out: Measure the 2” reference line after printing the printable version to make sure it’s a match!

Step 2

Create your quilt sandwich* by layering your fabrics in the following order* (top to bottom):

• Pocket Hug Heart
• Pocket Hug Top fabric
• Batting square
• Pocket Hug Back fabric

*Watch Out: Make sure that all right sides of the fabric are facing out!

*Tip: You can use a safety pin to help keep your fabrics together while finishing your block.

Step 3

Using either your sewing machine or a sharp quilting needle, stitch through all layers of your sandwich around the outline of your heart* to secure all the layers together.

*Watch Out: Make sure that your stitches remain on top of the Pocket Hug Heart fabric all the way around to avoid any gaps in the fabric coming undone!

 

Finishing the Block

Step 1

Trim any excess from the edges of your sandwich so that the layers are even.

Step 2

Fold your 1 ½” x 20” binding fabric in half and iron flat*.

*Tip: Use your wool pressing mat to make pressing binding a breeze!

Step 3

Bind your Pocket Hug using your favorite technique.

And voila! Now you have an adorable handmade hug to share with your family and friends to remind them of your love when you’re not able to be with them! These pocket hugs are easy to put together and fun to add your own flare (maybe a star instead of a heart or the letter of the person’s name). You can even add a handwritten card for an extra special touch.

Click here for your FREE BONUS printable version of this tutorial.

Keep sharing your love!

❤️ Hannah Rose