I also think that we should show off our first heart blocks, don't you? There will be a linkup at the end of this post to show one heart block on your dark background (or whatever colour of background you are using). I admit this is also because I am so curious to see the fabrics you've chosen! Two of my yoga students are joining in with this quilt along and I got to see a photo of one block, and wow, I love it as well as what she's doing with the entire quilt!
Since you only need four hearts on dark red BG for the Glowing Hearts quilt, those instructions will follow, in parentheses, the Winter Blues instructions.
BG - background; RST - right sides together
1. To make the top half of the heart, gather ten (eight) 2 ½" x 6 ½" Fabric A rectangles and 20 (16) 2 ½" BG squares.
Aside: when I was making the original, I had to be as frugal as possible with my BG fabric, so I did a similar method to the one for the bottom half of the hearts, using 2 ½" HSTs and lining them up on the Fabric A rectangles! Here we will have some waste, unless you are how I used to be, and save those little cutaway triangles and sew them back together...
2. Place a 2 ½" square on top of a rectangle, RST. Sew diagonally across it as shown, trimming ¼" away from the stitching line. Repeat with the other end of the rectangle, being sure to orient the stitching line correctly. Repeat with the other rectangle. Press as indicated by the arrows. This will ensure that the centre seams nest. Make 20 (16) units. Sew them together in pairs, pressing the centre seam to one side (you'll find that all three centre seams want to go in the same direction), or press the centre seam open. The top unit should measure 2 ½" x 12 ½".
4. If you made the bottom half of the heart last week, sew the two halves together. If you didn't make them yet, then follow the directions in this post to make them and join the two halves. Make five (four) hearts on dark background.
Here’s the Glowing Hearts heart on dark red BG. For those of you working off the pattern, you'll add the 6 ½" HSTs after sewing the top half to the bottom half strip set. They both look exactly the same in the end!
If you are making a non-ombré version the this is what your heart block will look like:
Or this:
I have finished the throw, and I just adore it. Elaine, you were right: once I quilted it up I would love it. Quilting always changes a quilt (for the better imho) and also you were right in that we don't always need bold and bright statement quilts. Sometimes it's nice to have a soft, frothy magnolia petals vibe of a quilt. I hope to get some good photos today and have the post out on Friday.
Happy sewing of heart blocks! Next week we'll make the four on light BG as well as the appliquéd maple leaf centre block.
Link up below to show us your first heart block. If you don't have a blog or you don't do Instagram, please email me a photo of your block and I will link it up for you! Email on sidebar or sandra (at) mmmquilts (dot) com
Why don’t Instagram links post pics properly?🙄 Here’s Deb’s full block:
I love each one of your hearts - in every colorway and combination! I have now made four of them. I decided that my background would all be one color rather than dark/light. I hope that's okay with you, the quilt designer! I just wanted a white background to highlight the pretty batik strips I'm using. Planning to get some more hearts made in the next few days!
ReplyDeleteWill get a photo or two taken of my ❤️s!! Great news that you have your throw quilted, and that you are more in love with it. It always amazes me how much a quilt can come to life with quilting. It doesn't have to be swirls, curls feathers and such. Even as simple as SITD, and the wow-power can be unleashed! You sure wouldn't have gotten any glamour shots here today .... rain rain rain! So, I just hid out, in the sewing room!! 😉
ReplyDeleteI've not even cut my fabrics yet, but hopefully I can get one block made in the next day or so.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute scrappy hearts!! That is a wonderful way to make the hearts more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the hearts...I am behind but will catch up once I get the quilt off the frame and in the mail...did mention quilted and bound. Oh it is getting there, but slowly. I found some fun FQs when I was shopping, and will talk to you about using ombre fabric later....once the first one is done!
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