LUDLOW QUILT AND SEW
Valentine Heart Quilt
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The pleats in this unusual bag allow the red fabric to show through. To read more click on Hint of Colour.
Valentine Quilt: Heart Quilt Block
This heart quilt block is particularly appropriate for Valentine's day, but can say something special at any time of the year.
It is simple to make but quite eyecatching when finished.
For the valentine quilt top you will need 3/4 yard of background fabric and
1 yard for the heart itself.
You will also need a rectangle of wadding and backing fabric, both 33" by 39".
From the pink background fabric of the heart quilt block cut six 6.1/4" squares and five 6.1/2" squares.
From the red heart fabric cut fourteen 6.1/4" squares and five 6.1/2" squares.
It's easiest to cut a strip across the width of the fabric at either 6.1/4" or 6.1/2" and then cut the strip into squares. I get 6 squares from each strip of fabric.
You will also need 4 strips 2" wide of the pink fabric for the border and 4 strips 2.1/2" wide of the heart fabric for the valentine quilt binding.
The larger squares (6.1/2") all need to be cut in half down the diagonal to make 10 triangles each of pink and red. With right sides together, sew each pink triangle to a red triangle tThe larger squares (6.1/2") all need to be cut in half down the diagonal to make 10 triangles each of pink and red. With right sides together, sew each pink triangle to a red triangle to make 5 mixed squares.
Lay the patchwork pieces out in the order in which they will be sewn (from left to right):
1st row: 1 mixed square, 1 red, 2 mixed, 1 red, 1 mixed
2nd row: 6 red squares
3rd row: 1 mixed, 4 red, 1 mixed
4th row: 1 pink, 1 mixed, 2 red, 1 mixed, 1 pink
5th row: 2 pink, 2 mixed, 2 pink
With right sides together and using a 1/4" seam, sew the squares together across the top row then across each row going down. Be careful with the mixed squares to make sure you have them the right way round. Sew the top row to the second and continue with all the rows.
It is worth pinning at each seam across the row when joining the rows (as in the photo above right) so that you can ease the fabric as you stitch each block so that it is in line with the block above and below it.
Try and press the seam allowances so that they go in opposite ways where the blocks join - that will make a smoother quilt top.
When the rows are all joined, take 4 strips of 2" wide background fabric for the border. Cut to size and attach 1 each to the top and bottom and 1 each to the sides of the valentine quilt top. The top and bottom strips will be about 34" and the side strips will be about 32", but measure your quilt top to be sure before you cut the strips.
Press the heart quilt block carefully: time spent now can save time later when you are sandwiching the quilt layers together.Lay the backing fabric right side down and smooth gently. Lay the wadding on top of it and smooth again. Lay the quilt top on the wadding, smooth and pin.
The easiest way to quilt the 3 layers together is to sew along all the seam lines (known as stitch in the ditch). This secures the layers. I have also quilted a heart shape inside the squares - I think it just about shows up in the photo on the right.
Baste all round the outer edge and then trim the layers in line with each other. Cut 4 strips of 2.1/2" wide heart fabric for the binding. Join these together, fold in half along the length and bind the edge of the heart quilt block. For full details on binding a quilt, please click on quilt binding.
rose@ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk
www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk
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