“Be good to your Heart” quilt block tutorial

A quick, simple tutorial for a 12″ (12.5″ unfinished) heart quilt block.

First of all a little background. This Blog Hop was organized by Leah of Burgundy Buttons to raise funds and awareness for Heart Disease – the leading cause of death among women in the US. This is a cause that has a very personal connection for Leah as it has affected her own immediate family.

 Starting last February there has been a quilt-block-tutorial each month.  The blocks created will eventually go to charity quilts to raise additional funds for this cause. And you can create a quilt of your own in the process – there have been some really fun blocks. Go here for more information.

The fabrics I’m using are from Cosmo Cricket’s Chemistry collection from last year.

 I used four different 1/4 yard cuts to create my three 12″ blocks.

Cutting requirements per 12″ finished block

Fabric A

•  (2) 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles

Fabric B

•  (3) 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles
• (4) 3.5″ squares
• (4) 1.5″ squares
• (1) 4″ square

  Fabric C

• (1) 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangle
• (6) 3.5″ squares
• (1) 4″ square

  

1 – From Fabric B take (4) 1.5″ squares and (2) 3.5″ squares and draw a single diagonal line on the back of each. Place them on top of the (2) fabric A 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles as pictured above and sew them in place directly ON the drawn line.  Carefully trim excess fabric 1/4″ away from the seams as pictured above.2 – Press seams open to create blocks as shown.  Carefully sew 2 rectangles together. Press this seam open.

3. Take (2) Fabric C 3.5″ squares and draw a single diagonal line on the back.  Place them on top of the bottom half of (2) Fabric B 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles. Sew seam directly ON the drawn line and rotary cut off excess fabric.

Press Blocks open to look like this.

4 – Create (2) Flying Geese blocks using opposite prints from Fabrics B and C. Draw diagonal lines on the back of (2) Fabric B 3.5″ squares and (2) Fabric C 3.5″ squares.

Line up a 3.5″ Fabric B 3.5″ square on the right side of a Fabric C 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangle and sew seam directly ON the drawn line. Repeat with a Fabric C 3.5″ square placed on a Fabric B 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangle.  Carefully trim off excess fabric and press sides open.

5- Repeat using 3.5″ squares placed on 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles on opposite sides. Sew seam along line, trim excess fabric and press open sides to create two flying geese units.

6. Match up Fabric B and C 4″ squares right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the lighter fabric. **This step is different than previous seams!** Sew a seam 1/4″ away along BOTH SIDES of the diagonal line then rotary cut right on the line.

7 – Press both units open and square-off the excess fabric to be exactly 3.5″ squares.

8 – Using all of your assembled units and the remaining Fabric C 3.5″ squares layout the block to look like this. Assemble the units in three rows and then carefully sew the rows together.

And voila- a big heart-shaped quilt block.

Be sure to check out the Sew Red for Women blog for the other 8 blocks so far and a little extra motivation to take care of your own heart.

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