Pieced Heart Block                                            

BACK

© Sandy Bonsib, 2002

   12" finished / 12½" unfinished

Choose:
A minimum of two fabrics for the heart.  If desired, the heart can be scrappy and use many fabrics.

One fabric for the background.

The four corner squares can be leftover squares of heart fabric(s).
Cut:
For the heart and background: 1½" strips for each.  Cut these strips in to 1½" squares.  You will need 52 squares for the heart and 24 squares for the background.

For the inner and outer borders around the heart, I suggest you use the same background fabric as above.  Cut: 2 strips 1½" x 8½", and 6 strips 1½" x 10½".

For the four corner squares, cut 1½" x 1½".  They can be leftovers from the heart fabric above or they can be cut from any desired fabric.  Make sure they contrast with the background fabric.
Arrange:
Using the 52 heart squares and 24 background squares, arrange them into a heart on pellon fleece.  See chart.  Note that two squares, one of heart fabric and one of background fabric will form the half square triangles on the edge of the heart.  Check the contrast by folding the two to form a half square triangle and pinning in place.  You want enough contrast between the heart and background fabrics so that the edge of the heart is noticeable. 
Assemble:

 
Using the flip and sew method, make 12 half square triangles to form the edge of the heart.  Position correctly on fleece.

 

     

   Mark      Stitch        Trim       Press

 
Sew squares and half square triangles together in rows, alternating pressing from row to row.

 

 
Sew the rows together.  The finished heart should measure 8½" x 8½".

 

 
Sew one 8½" strip to each side of the heart.  Press seams toward the strips.

Sew one 10½" strip to the top of the heart.  Repeat on the bottom.  Press seams toward the strips.

 

 
Sew one 10½" strip to each side of the heart.  Press seams toward the strips.

Add a 1½" square to both ends of the two remaining 10½" strips. Press seams toward the strips.

Sew this unit to the top and bottom of the heart.  Press seams either way.

 

 
   

© Sandy Bonsib, 2002