Express Post (Quilt) Block Party Week 3!

Continuing our “block party” in celebration of National Quilt Month, artist, designer, quilt maker and Spoonflower Ambassador Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop will be showing you how to make a heart quilt block from her Express Quilt. This beginner-friendly quilt project is made with Spoonflower’s Cotton Poplin and Fill-A-Yard®, but any of our quilting-weight cotton fabrics will work great.

Express Post (Quilt) Block Party Posts

Part 1: How To Choose a Design

Part 2: How To Make a Closed Envelope Block

Part 4: How To Make an Open Envelope Block

Part 3: How To Make a Heart Quilt Block

Andrea: This heart block from my Express Post quilt uses the versatile technique of “stitch-and-flip,” also known as “snowballing corners.” This version makes 5″ finished hearts and with the border, the block measures 9.5″ (24.5 cm) square. You can use scraps or the recommended fabric requirements for the whole #ExpressPostBlockParty project.

Step 1. Prep Your Heart Block Fabric

Heart fabric:

  • 2 feature fabrics (two halves of the heart): (1x) 3″ x 5.5″ (8 x 14 cm) rectangle of each

Background borders:

  • (2x) 2.5″ x 5.5″ (6.5 x 14 cm) rectangles
  • (2x) 2.5″ x 9.5″ (6.5 x 24.5 cm) rectangles

Background:

  • (2x) 3″ (8 cm) squares
  • (4x) 1.25″ (3.5 cm) squares
Fabric pieces cut out for heart block
Fabric for one heart block

Step 2. Make The Heart Quilt Block

Mark a diagonal line on the back of each background square.

Place a 1.25″ (3.5 cm) background square on top of each feature fabric rectangle in the upper corners, right sides together. Sew along the marked lines.

Trim off the corners 1/4″ (2/3 cm) away from the stitch lines. Press the seams toward the background. This will make two halves of the heart.

Place the two 3″ (8 cm) background squares at the bottom of each half, right sides together. Pay careful attention to the direction of the diagonal lines; they should form a “V”. Sew along the marked line.

Trim off the corners 1/4″ (2/3 cm) away from the stitch line. Press the seam toward the background.

Sew two halves together with a scant 1/4” (2/3 cm) seam allowance. Press the seam toward the darker fabric or press the seam open.

Step 3. Make The Background

Use a scant 1/4″ (2/3 cm) seam allowance for optimum accuracy!

Add the side borders by joining the 2.5″ x 5.5″ (6.5 x 14 cm) background rectangles to the right and left of the heart. Press the seam allowance away from the heart.

Add the top and bottom borders by joining the 2.5″ x 9.5″ (6.5 x 24.5 cm) background rectangles to the top and bottom of the heart. Press the seam allowance away from the heart.

The finished block should measure 9.5″ (24.5 cm) square, and can be inserted in so many of your future quilting projects! 

Diagram of background fabrics for heart block

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials do I need to make a heart-shaped quilt block?
You can use scrap fabric if you have enough to make the heart, background and background borders; or the recommended fabric requirements for the whole #ExpressPostBlockParty project. Other materials you’ll need include a sewing machine, thread, fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and a fabric pen.
What sewing experience is required to make a quilt block?
Quilt blocks are beginner-friendly, and a great way to introduce new sewists to quilting.
Where can I find the other Express Post Block Quilt Party posts?
You can find the entire series here.

Meet Andrea

Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop is a textile artist, quilt designer, author and educator. After working in various design fields and settings ranging from architecture to museums, the quilting medium called to her as a way to explore place, belonging and agency. Andrea lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with her husband and two sons.