• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Tutorials
  • My Quilts
  • Shop
  • Favorite Supplies
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Tutorials
  • My Quilts
  • Shop
  • Favorite Supplies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Start Here
    • Tutorials
    • My Quilts
    • Shop
    • Favorite Supplies
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » tutorial

    “Be good to your Heart” quilt block tutorial

    October 3, 2012 by Amy 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

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

    Related

    « Fall Foliage and Modern Maples
    New digs and other randomness »

    Filed Under: blocks, tutorial 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

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My name is Amy Smart and I'm a quilter, pattern and fabric designer, wife & mom. Excited to have you here!

    Let's Sew →

    THE PERFECT PLACE TO START

    CHECK OUT MY

    I Sew With

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines

    Favorite Fabric Shops

    Come Sew With Me – Craftsy Class

    Pre-cuts Shortcuts Video Craftsy Class with Amy Smartma

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Quilting Tips: Choosing Batting For a Quilt
    • Favorite Reversible Tote Bag Tutorial - by Amanda Neiderhauser
    • Diary of a Quilter by Amy Smart - a Quilt blog
    • Subscriber Confirmation
    • Fast Four Patch Quilt Tutorial
    • Quilt + Design Inspiration In Paris, Marais Neighborhood
    • 25 Favorite Charm Square Quilts & Projects
    • Binding a Quilt: a Complete Tutorial
    • Tutorials
    • Lattice Baby Quilt Tutorial
    Tips for Choosing Fabric for a Quilt
    How to Choose a Sewing Machine for Quilting, tips featured by top US quilting blogger, Diary of a Quilter
    Patchwork on Point Crib Quilt Tutorial

    Star Baby Quilt Tutorial

    Star Baby Quilt Tutorial
    Fast Shortcuts to make multiple Half-Square Triangles

    My Riley Blake Fabric Collections

    Categories

    Social

    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

    More of Me

     photo splendid_button_4 1.jpg
     photo Babylock_Logo_300x150.png imanauthor
     
    Follow

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up HERE! for weekly emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ

    This site uses affiliate links:

    I make a small commission on some purchases with no additional cost to the reader.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog