Patchwork Heart Block

By Julia Langley

Thank you to Julia for providing this project for Young Quilters

YQ square - main (1)

You will need

  • 2 different fabrics for the heart

  • 1 fabric for the background

  • Pins

  • Iron for pressing seams (with adult supervision)

  • Sewing machine and thread (or needle and thread for hand sewing)

Cutting guide

  • To make the 8.5” block:
  • Cut 4 x 4.5” squares of 2 of each colour
  • Cut 2 x 4.5” squares of background
  • Cut 4 x 2.5” squares of background

To make the 10.5” block:

  • Cut 2 x 1.5” x 8.5” of a sashing colour
  • Cut 2 x 1.5” x 10.5 “ of a sashing colour
Image 1

Step 1

Join the 4 coloured squares in alternate pairs. You can use 4 different fabrics if you wish to make a really scrappy quilt. Press seams open.

Image 2

Step 2

Now with the two 4.5” squares lay them across the bottom of each set of two and draw a line through the centre diagonal. This is your stitching line. Stitch through those centre lines and then trim away the corners. (Fold it back first to make sure you’re cutting away the right bit!)

Image 3

Step 3

Stitch through those centre lines and then trim away the corners. (Fold it back first to make sure you’re cutting away the right bit!)

Image 4

Step 4

With the 2.5” squares repeat this process in each top corner, trim up and press the seams back before repeating the same with the inside corners. You will see they overlap slightly at the top if you don’t press the first corner back before doing the inside one you won’t be able to open the second one up.

Step 5

Then matching the seams, sew the two halves together.

Image 7

Step 6

To make this a 10.5” block add an 8.5” x 1.5” strip to the top and bottom. Press the seams open and then add 10.5” x 1.5” to the sides.

Step 7

Your patchwork heart is now complete! What next?  You could use your block to a make bag or cushion, or even make more blocks to create a quilt.