Crafting Love: Sewing a Simple Heart Block
Simple Foundation Paper Piecing Technique
I know there are lots of ways to construct a heart block, but if you’re a perfectionist this technique is for you. Foundation Paper Piecing is a very accurate technique. This method ensures precise alignment of fabric pieces, resulting in crisp edges and clean lines in the final block. Perfection? This might just be as close as it gets.
However, to successfully execute this technique, it’s beneficial to have a couple of extra tools on hand.
Add-a-Quarter Ruler
This specialized quilting ruler is designed to assist in foundation paper piecing techniques. It typically features a straight edge with a built-in quarter-inch lip or ledge. This lip will help you accurately trim seam allowances to a consistent quarter-inch width.
Foundation Piecing Paper
Foundation piecing paper, also known as foundation paper or foundation sheets, is a thin, lightweight paper specifically designed for foundation paper piecing techniques in quilting. It plays a crucial role in this quilting method by providing a stable base for accurately sewing fabric pieces onto.
Despite its durability, foundation piecing paper is thin and lightweight. This allows it to easily fold and maneuver during the piecing process. In addition, it is easily removed from your finished block.
How to Make this Simple Block
Make 4
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Fabric Required
Gather
[2] 3.5″x6″ rectangles
[2] 3″x3″ background squares cut on the diagonal
[1] 4″x4″ background square cut on the diagonal.*We used a fat quarter bundle, but scraps would work well in this block too.
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Prepare Foundation Paper Templates
Click the buttons below to download the templates. Then, print the images to the foundation paper using your inkjet printer. No printer? You can always trace them to the foundation paper.
Template pieces are labeled with ‘L’ for the left side of the heart and ‘R’ for the right side of the heart. Use one of each template sheet from the download to make 3 complete hearts. Cut templates apart outside of dashed lines.
Crease the paper on each of the lines between L1, L2, L3, and L4 sections.
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Pin Templates to Fabric
Lay [2] 3.5″x6″ fabric rectangles right-side down on flat surface. Place an ‘L’ template on one rectangle and an ‘R’ template on the other. Templates should be right-side up. (Back of foundation paper will touch back of fabric).
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Trim Using Add-a-Quarter Ruler
Fold L2 and R2 corners of templates back along L2 and R2 lines. Put the lip of the Add-a-quarter ruler against the fold of the foundation paper. Trim the fabric. This creates the 1/4″ seam allowance.
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Add Background Fabric to Corners
Line up the long edge of the background triangle with the edge of the heart fabric.
*Be careful to position the background fabric so that when it is pressed back after sewing, it covers all the foundation paper in that corner.
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Sew background corners
Turn the block so that you can see the lines on the foundation template. Sew on the line between L1 and L2 sections. Repeat the process for R1 and R2 sections.
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Press Background Corners
Turn the fabric right-side up and press background corners away from heart fabric.
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Repeat Steps 4 – 7
Repeat steps 4 – 7 for the remaining background corners of the heart block. Then, flip the block right-side up and press flat.
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Trim Block Pieces
Turn the block pieces so that templates are right-side up. Trim along dotted lines.
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Sew sides of Heart together
Tear away the foundation paper from both sides of Heart block. Then, sew the sides RST using a 1/4″ seam. Press open to reveal heart.
Supply:
- [2] 3.5″ X 6″ fabric rectangles for heart
- [2] 3″ X 3″ squares cut on the diagonal
- [1] 4″ X 4″ square cut on the diagonal
Tools:
- Add-a-Quarter Ruler
- Foundation Paper
- Rotary cutter & cutting mat
- Iron
- Sewing machine and thread
Materials: Fat quarters or fabric scraps cut to size; templates
Sew Heart Blocks together
Once you’ve made 4 Heart blocks you can sew them together as shown below. This final block measures approximately 10.5″ x 10.5″.
However, you can sew your blocks together in a layout of your choice. Get creative!
What’s Next?
I’m still working on my final layout, but I think I’m going to need about [48] 4-heart blocks (like the one pictured above). Fortunately, each fat quarter gives me enough fabric for 6 hearts. So, a 10-fat quarter bundle should be more than enough.
Happy Quilting!
