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    “Be good to your Heart” quilt block tutorial

    Last Modified: January 13, 2022 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 42 Comments

    This free heart quilt block tutorial is perfect for Valentines Day or any other sampler quilt calling for a finished 12″ x 12″ quilt block.

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

    CLICK HERE FOR FREE PRINTABLE PDF VERSION 

     I used four different ¼ yard cuts to create my three 12″ x 12″ (finished) quilt blocks. 

    Fabric Cutting instructions per 12″ finished block

    Fabric A – small heart

    •  (2) 3.5″ x 6.5″ rectangles

    Fabric B – Large heart

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

    Fabric C – background

    • (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 ¼″ 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 ¼″ 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.

    Free Heart Quilt Block tutorial - finishes at 12" x 12" - by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter

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    Related

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    Filed Under: Quilt Blocks, Sewing for Your Home Tagged With: Valentines

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer Rodriguez

      October 03, 2012 at 8:06 am

      What a grèat cause! Love the block..so fun for Valentine's day.. may have to make a whole quilt of these! XO

      Reply
    2. robin chapa

      October 03, 2012 at 8:19 am

      I'm not a "heartsy" person…. but these blocks are amazing! There is a Valentine's Day quilt in my future featuring this tutorial– THANK YOU! And thanks for helping to raise awareness 🙂

      Reply
    3. Mary on Lake Pulaski

      October 03, 2012 at 8:40 am

      Great block Amy! Thanks for the tutorial.

      Reply
    4. Tracy

      October 03, 2012 at 8:56 am

      Love them and a great cause! Thank you for the tutorial!

      Reply
    5. Lori Holt

      October 03, 2012 at 9:43 am

      What a great cause to participate in…I love your heart block Amy.<br />I&#39;m sure I will be seeing lots of quilts made using your fun tutorial:)

      Reply
    6. Chris

      October 03, 2012 at 9:43 am

      VERY CUTE BLOCK!! I am doing the Sew Red For Women blocks and this is really PERFECT! You did a nice job bringing out the theme. 🙂 Looking forward to making it!

      Reply
    7. Maria

      October 03, 2012 at 9:43 am

      Thanks for the tutorial they are adorable.

      Reply
    8. Märchen und Meer

      October 03, 2012 at 10:45 am

      wonderfull .love red .. I m a newscomer in this area .. but I love it

      Reply
    9. Anita

      October 03, 2012 at 11:42 am

      Lovely block and excellent tutorial. Thank you.

      Reply
    10. Amber

      October 03, 2012 at 11:51 am

      Cute blocks! Great tutorial!<br /><br />Amber

      Reply
    11. Kim Walus

      October 03, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      I LOVE your block Amy and hearts are my favorite so, WELL DONE!!!

      Reply
    12. Tracee

      October 03, 2012 at 3:48 pm

      Thanks for sharing those blocks look amazing.

      Reply
    13. Katy Cameron

      October 03, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      Love how you used the striped fabric in these :o)

      Reply
    14. Gina

      October 03, 2012 at 10:44 pm

      Your post led me to look at all the other blocks on the tour! They are all fantastic including yours!!

      Reply
    15. Shontelle

      October 04, 2012 at 4:23 am

      Lovely block – thanks for the tutorial!

      Reply
    16. Heather

      October 04, 2012 at 8:13 am

      That is a really nice block, thanks so much for a tutorial 🙂

      Reply
    17. CathyK

      October 04, 2012 at 2:32 pm

      What a great block! Thank you for the tutorial! P.S. I like your new blog look! (Unless I am crazy, it looks different?)

      Reply
    18. Leah

      October 04, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Love the block! Super pretty!

      Reply
    19. Shop Girl

      October 04, 2012 at 11:54 pm

      My, My, haven&#39;t we been a busy girl! Great tutorial, great cause &amp; love the new look of your blog. Your quite something (special) Thanks for the inspriation!

      Reply
    20. Shabby Marilyn

      January 27, 2013 at 9:07 pm

      Newest follower! Thank you for the heart block, love your choice of fabric and colors!

      Reply
    21. Nanny

      February 08, 2013 at 11:32 am

      Great tutorial!.. Thanks!.

      Reply
    22. Casey Kiley

      January 30, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Thank you for this great tutorial. I used it to make wall hangings for the Grandmas this past Christmas, paired with blocks with the kiddos&#39; hand prints.

      Reply
    23. Val Spiers

      February 09, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Love this block. Just discovered it on pinterest. Thanks for the tutorial.<br />valspierssews

      Reply
    24. Mandy

      October 17, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      Looking for a block for a heart exchange and came across your blog tonight. Awesome tutorial!

      Reply
    25. Merry

      October 17, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      Thanks so much for your wonderful tutorial for this block. I really enjoyed making it for my swap partner. Off to check other blocks on this wonderful site.

      Reply
    26. Lynn H.

      November 28, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      Very nice!

      Reply
    27. Jean

      February 07, 2016 at 4:06 pm

      Love the hearts…love everything you do, really ? Thanks for the inspiration.

      Reply
    28. Lea

      January 21, 2017 at 11:41 am

      These blocks are so pretty. Thank you for sharing your tutorial. This one is a keeper.

      Reply
    29. Diane Offerman

      February 10, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      Thank you for the heart tutorial. What a cute pattern! Can’t wait to try this.

      Reply
    30. Susan Brehm

      February 10, 2018 at 8:16 pm

      Cute cute block! And thank you so much for the PDF!

      Reply
    31. Susan Bajdek

      February 10, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Thank you so much for the free Valentine pattern. You are so generous with your quilting skills. I also took your Craftsy class and loved it. Guess who is my visiting Teaching companion? Your sister Laura Miller. What a sweetie. Thanks, Susan

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 12, 2018 at 8:58 am

        Laura mentioned that her companion was a quilter!! Such a small world. Thanks for your kind words and support and for looking out for my little sister!

        Reply
    32. Bobbi Lu Bennett

      February 11, 2018 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you for sharing this. I live the pattern and the fabric you used. Saving this one for later!

      Reply
      • Bobbi Lu Bennett

        February 11, 2018 at 7:20 pm

        *love

        Reply
    33. Editor@CraftyLikeGranny

      January 14, 2019 at 3:26 am

      Hi Amy, this is such a lovely design. Thank you for sharing. Our readers will love it. I have included your post in our latest Top 10 in Craft inspiration for Valentine’s Day. https://craftylikegranny.com/valentine-crafts-adults/ Cheers Jodie

      Reply

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