I've been working on a project with Deena Rutter's Heart and Soul fabric collection (for Riley Blake Designs) for a few months now and I'm finally ready to share the big finish. Post update 2023 - I made this quilt in 2017. These fabrics and this panel are out of print and not longer available.
In addition to a 10" x 10" stack of pre-cut squares, I also incorporated a few Riley Blake Confetti Cotton solids (Riley Coral, Persimmon, Autumn, Rain Forest, Coastal Blue, and Charcoal) and the new Kisses basic in Vintage White.
In addition to the prints and solids, I was so excited to incorporate pieces from this darling coordinating panel. Besides designing cute fabric, Deena is also a talented artist and graphic designer. The panel is 56" x 67.3". (So really, you could just put a border on this panel, get it quilted and have a CUTE finished quilt.) The panel is available in three colorways - this bright version, a pastel version, and a 'grays' version.
The panel contains cheerful messages of love and inspiration. I chose to cut up the panel into individual 'blocks' and add some patchwork, just for fun. I used 10 of the 'blocks' - which means I still have 7 left over for other projects (like the cute throw pillow at the end of the post.)
Here is the quilt I created. (I'm still deciding how I feel about it...) I wanted something patchwork-y and scrappy and I feel like I definitely did that. I'm still trying to decide if it works. But I LOVE the sentiments in the quilt, so I'm excited to have this one to snuggle up with - and hopefully inspire us to be kind, happy and show more love in the process.
I'm deciding whether to write up a pattern.
I really love 10" x 10" precuts for making a scrappy quilt. They're such a great alternative to getting a full fat-quarter bundle. You get all of the fabrics in a collection, but at a much more affordable price. And there's still plenty of fabric to work with - especially if you're making patchwork blocks.
I stared out by making a bunch of half-square-triangle blocks. I made the 2" x 2" HST's into 4" x 4" pinwheel blocks and the 3" x 3" HST's into 6" x 6" Broken Dishes blocks. I also made a bunch of 6" x 6" nine-patch blocks.
I also thought it would be fun to make a scrappy roll of Flying Geese. I bought a roll of Triangles on a Roll that I've wanted to play with forever and this was the perfect project. Triangles on a Roll is basically a long strip of printed paper for perfectly paper-pieced flying geese.
A long row of flying geese blocks can easily get so wonky - this keeps them accurate, straight, and with perfect points! I'm already plotting more projects with perfect flying geese! I used the 2" x 4" finished Flying Geese roll for this project.
Here are a few more close-ups of the Heart and Soul panel 'blocks' and the scrappy patchwork.
A HUGE shoutout to Melissa from Sew Shabby Quilting for doing such a great job with the quilting. The all-over Soft and Sweet design was PERFECT for this this quilt. Hearts and flowers motifs to give some all over texture to the quilt without clashing with the busy patchwork blocks.
I also used one of the panel blocks to make a quick pillow and it turned out SO cute.
In keeping with my goal of learning how to do more with my Baby Lock Destiny II machine, I learned how to create this custom quilting background around the text in the center. All done by the machine! I'm feeling pretty proud that I added this skill to my toolbox.
See the machine in action here.
In addition to using a new quilting 'skill' on for this pillow, I also put in a zippered back for the first time using this tutorial. Hello! It was so easy! Why have I been scared of zippers for so long! I will now put in a zipper on every pillow-back.
Want to see another cute project using Heart and Soul? Check out this beautiful quilt by Andy of A Bright Corner - pattern info here.
*FTC Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting Diary of a Quilter when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use.
Brenda L Rusche
Adorable quilt!! Yes to the interest for a pattern. The quilt makes you smile as you read the words.
Barbara Opett
Love it Amy! I love when a quilt has words in it, this one takes the cake! Very interested in what else you come up with. Heart and Soul just moved to the top of my wish list, just loving this. A great quilt to gift or curl up with. Thanks for sharing ?
Sandy@UpStairsHobbyRoom
❤️❤️❤️
Linda
Love, love, love this quilt and the fabrics!
Robby H.
I can imagine how even a few of these blocks in a quilt would make a great gift to encourage someone or to send someone out into the world with. Well done, as I assume there's a fair bit of math involved in piecing those word blocks together.
victoria odea
Your quilt is amazing! I would love a pattern. It is perfect for my soon to be 14 year old daughter. xo
Allison
Love this one Amy! So cute and creative!
Kathie L
This year my guild's challenge is to use a panel in a project. This is a great example of what can be done. Thanks.
Lee
Beautiful!
Denise
Beautiful! Yes to the tutorial please!
Sharon Henson
You are so creative! Love the quilt and would definitely want a pattern for it. Thanks for sharing.
Rose Anderson
Love it Amy! Now I want all the fabrics that you used. And yes a pattern would be great to have.
Pam M
Yes, your quilt does "work", Amy. The fabrics are lovely - very cheerful. What a great finish - you used so many different techniques: cutting up a panel, using paper piecing, putting layer cake squares to best use, using solids (very "on trend"), machine quilting with your embroidery machine. I'm sure there are more that we just don't know about.
Elana goldberg
I adore your sweet quilt. Thank you for explaining the triangle papers because I’ve always wondered how they work. I love the panel and can imagine utilizing it in many ways, but why is it so pricey? I’m sure Deena Rutter’s work is highly prized but it’s too costly for me.
Amy
I think the fact that it is digitally printed on wider fabric has to do with the higher price.
Glad the triangle papers explanation helped. This video also helped a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am_hXKWGf6g
Marty Askins
I love what you have done. Will you please tell me how you did that with your Babylock Destiny II machine. I also have that machine and.I'm still learning what all it can do.
Amy
Hi Marty! So many amazing features on this machine that I'm still learning too. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do.
I recommend watching the movie tutorials that are in the machine - that helped SO MUCH. Just click on the ? in the pieced of film at the top of your screen. After you hit the ? button, click Video and then Embroidery Functions. I watched all of those videos. (They'll show you how to navigate the settings and customize your project.)
Basically, I put the panel in the largest hoop and scanned it using the IQ scanner. From there I drew the outline of the words portion with my stylus, then "filled" in the background with one of the quilting designs.
It took me a little bit of fiddling to figure out all of the steps, but now that I've done it once, I think I can do it much more quickly next time.
I still need to take another class from my local dealer so I can learn more, but I'm making myself try new things all the time so that I can learn new skills. Good luck!
Connie
Definitely yes to a pattern. Love the use of a panel this way and a layer cake too
Jennifer
It works! Definitely.
Melissa
I LOVE this quilt! It has a lot of energy, without being distracting in any way. Everything about it is warm and welcoming. Fantastic job!
Amy
Thank you, Melissa. xo
Carole Poleski
Beautiful quilt! I'd love to see a pattern for this.
Rosemaryflower
WOW I love it. I know someone I would love to make this quilt for
Thank you Amy for your amazing-ness. Happy Week-end
Hilary
This is so beautiful Amy! I have a couple panels that I never know what to do with, and this is such a great idea!
Gemini Jen NZ
Really gorgeous quilt Amy! Such a lovely way to showcase those fabrics and the panels.
Cindy Oelkers
Beautiful quilt Amy! I am just starting to quilt and love seeing your great creations.
Karen Seitz
It works! What a great scrappy quilt with the panels giving the eyes the perfect place to rest. I love the colors too.
Baa. xxx
Lovely. I would be interested in the pattern. The pillow is so cute too!
Lea
Oh, this is a gorgeous panel. I'm not usually one for working with panels but THIS I would love to make a quilt with.
Lynn Marie
I would love to have this panel. It is not listed on the Fat Quarter Shop. The fabric collection is there but not the panel. Do you have any idea when it will be available?
Sharon
I love the quilt and would be interested in a pattern too! Also, any idea on when the panel will be availalbe?
Amy
They're available on Etsy of from Missouri Star Quilt Co. There are links in the post. 😉
Sarita Rogers
Hi Amy! We love this quilt. Can we link to this post in our newsletter? We are stocking the panel in 2 colorways and would love to feature your design. Thanks!
Amy
Absolutely! Thanks so much!
Karen Jacobsen
Hi Amy - I would love to see a pattern or quilt kit for this! Beautiful!
Sharon
Yes you should share a pattern !! This is a beautiful panel and you've made the quilt so attractive without taking away from the quotes. I hope you decide to do a pattern for those of us that aren't creative enough to do it ourselves!
Denise Whittle
Hi! Ok, bought the panel and the layer cake squares....now waiting for the tutorial for the adorable quilt please! LOL
Amy
Thanks for your patience. It's on the list. This month has been bananas with lots of deadlines. I haven't forgotten and will get to it hopefully in the next couple weeks!
mitzineely
Hi Amy! Beautiful quilt. In fact, loved it so much that I ordered the panel, coordinating fabrics, etc. What is the finished width and length of the quilt pictured? Would appreciate a pattern.
Thank you.
Mitzi
Amy
Hi Mitzi!
Thanks so much for your interest in that quilt. The quilt measures 58" x 78". I've still got that pattern on my 'to-do' list - which has been kind of overwhelming for the past month. I'm almost to Heart and Soul. I'm hoping to get to it in the next couple of weeks! (It was never really my full intention to write a pattern when I created that quilt - just share a project idea.) Thanks for your patience.
Here are some block basics if you want to get started: the 9-patch blocks are 6" x 6" (start with 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares). The Broken Dishes blocks are also finished at 6" x 6" (make from 4 unfinished 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" half square triangle blocks). The Flying Geese are 2" x 4" unfinished (I used a 2" x 4" Triangles on a Roll foundation paper for that). The pin wheel blocks are finished at 4" x 4" (make from 4 unfinished 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" half-square-triangle blocks).
Hopefully that can get you started on the pieced blocks!
elin
Amy ~ Thank you for the inspiration! I made two quilts out of the pastel panel ~ one for my niece and one for my good friend who is moving away. I made it up as I went using hearts and pinwheels and 9 patch blocks. Quite challenging for this beginner. I never would have done it without your example. Thank you! 🙂
Robbin
Love this quilt, would love the pattern!
Amanda Rogers
About to attempt to make this quilt and hopefully mine turns out as beautiful as yours. You are definitely blessed to be able to make such stunning projects. Youre one of the my top 3 quilters that i follow religiously...probably my favorite out of my top 3...lol. You never fail to inspire those of us who look to you for quilting inspiration. Always know that we are grateful for all the hardwork you put into your blogs, video, tutorials, etc. Thank you.
Amy
Oh my goodness. Thank you, Amanda, for your very kind words. xoxo
Catherine
I have a random question. I love your quilt and the use of the blocks from the panel, but I would love to just easy-peasy quilt the panel. But wouldn't it look wonky with the printed 'sashing' around the edge of the panel being 1/4" narrower than the rest of the printed 'sashing' on the blocks? It seems like the designer should have made the outer edges of the printed 'sashing' (or 'border'?) 1/4" wider. What do you think? Is there some way to quilt this where it wouldn't look like the blocks around the perimeter didn't have uneven 'sashing'?
Amy
I've seen a few of the panels quilted as finished quilts and they're darling. There is room around the outside of the panel to cut a 1/4" seam allowance to either add a border or attach the binding directly.
I hope that helps!
Denise
Still one of my favorites. How's the pattern coming along?
Cathy McNaughton
Here it is 2022 and I am so needing your Heart & Soul panel! My pastor is retiring soon and it would be perfect; however, no pone seems to have it. Have tried Missouri Star, Fat Quarter, and Etsy.
Elle
is the heart and soul pattern available yet? Thank you.
Amy
Hi - the fabric is no longer available so the effort to write the pattern is as well. I'm so sorry - I was too ambitious for my own good.