It's Almost Father's Day--Felt Photo Frame Fridge Magnet Tutorial

Father's Day is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate the dad in your life than with this crafty photo frame? This project is super simple, an older child could probably make this will a little help. No fancy sewing--just a simple in-and-out running stitch.

The Ingredients: 

-1 felt frame piece. I used green felt to coordinate with the picture I wanted to use. Feel free to use what ever color works for you. The piece is 5.75 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. The inside cut out is 1.25 inches up from the bottom, an inch in on both sides, and .75 inch from the top. 

-2 felt middle and back pieces. These are 5.75 by 4.5 inches like our top frame piece. 

- "I" "<3" "DAD" felt letters. These are freehand, about an inch tall. I cut my heart by folding a piece of felt and cutting half a heart shape. These pieces don't have to be perfect, in fact they are more "kid-like" if they aren't. 

- 1 cardboard insert, 5 inches by 4 inches, approximately

-1 super strong craft magnet and tape to adhere magnet to the cardboard insert

- embroidery floss to match felt pieces

The Recipe: 

First things first, working with just the top frame layer, sew on the "I" with a few stitches. 

Then, it's time for the heart. I wanted the heart to overlap on the photo a little bit so the bottom of the heart overhangs. The stitches don't go all the way down to the heart to leave that little bit free hanging. 

Next come the DAD letters. Again, there are just a few running stitches for each letter. I made the letters point slightly different directions so they seemed more "bouncy" than sewing them in a straight line. 

 Now that our embellishments are attached, it's time to construct the frame itself. Running stitch the top frame piece to the middle piece. Leave about a quarter inch allowance from the edge of the frame cut-out. That little allowance will be where the picture nestles in. When you do the top seam between the "I" and the heart, be sure to only sew through the top frame layer or else a photo won't slide in. 

After the frame piece is attached to the middle piece, prepare the cardboard insert by taping the magnet securely in place. Make sure the magnet is placed so that it will attract through the felt (one side of the magnet attracts other magnets, the other side repels). 

With the cardboard and magnet sandwiched between, sew the second layer to the bottom layer, as shown in the photo. Because we used running stitches, the edges of the frame are free. 

That's it! Our frame is done and ready for a photo of Dad. That's me and my dad on my wedding day.

Happy Father's Day Crafting!

~Brittany