Woven Paper Heart Template
/Looking for a simple Woven Heart Template? This clever paper decoration is perfect for Valentine’s Day or any other time you want to show someone you care.
Weave the ends together to make a heart-shaped paper basket. Fill with candy and gift them to friends and loved ones.
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This post was originally shared in 2018 but has since been updated.
Woven Heart Template.
I’ve got a new craft to share with you today, a sweet and simple Woven Heart Basket perfect for Valentine’s Day. All you need is some paper (contrasting colours or patterns work well), some scissors and a little glue to get started.
Each heart begins in two folded pieces of paper or lightweight cardstock that you weave together. They can be a little tricky to begin with so make sure to follow the instructions carefully. Once you’ve had a little practice they’re actually quite easy to make.
To make it even easier I’ve even created a printable template you can download for free. Print it out onto the back of your favourite scrapbook paper for a pretty patterned basket.
Woven Heart Basket.
These woven paper hearts are traditionally a Christmas decoration in Denmark and Sweden and are hung from the Christmas tree but I think they make a beautiful Valentine as well. They look just as lovely flat and used as a card topper as they do hanging from a branch and filled with candy.
I made these hearts with some patterned scrapbook paper from American Crafts and it worked well. I like to use scrapbook paper for a lot of my crafts. It’s more of a lightweight cardstock than paper which means it’s stronger than normal printer paper.
I picked out some of my favourite patterns that had a lot of pink and red in them for a traditional Valentine's colour scheme but I think they’d look just as good in a whole range of colours. I mean, how great would some black and gold hearts look?
Supplies:
Paper in two contrasting colours or patterns.
I used the Maggie Holmes Gather 12 x 12 Scrapbook Paper Pad that is sadly no longer available but you can more of her lovely patterns here.
Scissors
And some glue.
How To Make A Woven Paper Heart.
1. Trim your scrapbook paper to size and print out the template.
Cut out the two shapes and fold in half and cut along the central lines.
If you're using a patterned paper print the template out onto the back of your paper and re-fold it so the printed lines are on the inside.
2. With the folded ends facing each other weave the first strip of paper (red) between the 2 layers of the pink strip.
Top Tip.
Instead of the traditional over and under weaving technique you want to think of it as weaving inside and out. So you'll take the red strip and place it inside the pink strip. This is what creates the pocket.
3. Next thread the pink strip between the red strip.
Then red through pink.
And finally pink through red.
4. For the second row you need to do the same thing as you did with the first row except this time you’re going to reverse the order.
So the pink strip goes through the red and then the red through the pink.
You should be able to see a checkerboard pattern beginning to form.
5. Keep weaving and alternating until all the strips are woven together.
6. The weaving does get a bit trickier as you go along so try to be patient. As always I recommend practising on some scrap paper first.
The final strip does take a bit of wiggling as there’s not much room left for the paper to move. It helps to push and shift the strips into position as you go.
If you're really struggling to get the last strip in place it can help to make the strips slightly longer when you first cut them, an extra millimetre or 2 can make all the difference.
7. Above you can see what the final woven heart looks like.
8. To finish cut a strip of scrap paper (I used the leftover paper from cutting out the template) and glue it to the inside of your basket to make a handle.
You can hang them up individually, string them up to make a banner or use them as a gift tag.
I used some leftover paper to make the handles on mine but if you want to make it more interesting here are a few ideas:
Use a hole punch and tie on some ribbon or string as a handle.
Decorate the handle using stickers or stamps.
Add some pretty self-adhesive lace tape.
Use a paper edge punch to add a decorative finish.
Or maybe some decorative edged scissors to create a fun border.
9. Fill with candy and give to your Valentine.
Woven Felt Heart Basket.
Want a sturdier basket you can use again next year? Replace the paper with a piece of felt. You’ll need to print the template onto some plain card first and then trace around it onto your felt but the rest of the steps remain the same. Attach your handle using some fabric glue and you’re good to go.
Want some Valentine’s Day colouring pages?
You can find them in my massive Valentine’s Day Colouring Page Bundle. The whole pack only costs £7 and includes 10 heart colouring pages, 10 Valentine’s Day colouring pages, 10 Valentine’s Day cards, 12 Valentine’s Day banners, 6 gift tags and 4 bookmarks!
Click the picture below to grab your copy or you can purchase them individually in the shop (although the bundle is by far the best value)!
