
2016 Quilt Extravaganza – May Block of the Month by Nancy Zieman
Hopeful Hearts is the fifth block of the 2016 Quilt Extravaganza! This month you’ll learn how to create heart-shaped wedges that are machine appliquéd to scrappy background fabrics. Use the Carefree Curves Template to create the shapes easily and without setting in any curved seams.
Have you selected fabrics and created the strata for your 2016 Block of the Month? Check out the details in the January 9 blog. I encourage you to use as many scraps from your stash as possible. I’m using bright and neutral fabrics in this quilt.
All blocks for 2016 will be created from pieced fabric strata. Read more on this blog post.
Block #5: Hopeful Hearts
Supplies:
- One neutral fabric strata
- One bright fabric strata
- Lightweight fusible interfacing
- Point 2 Point Turner
- Trace ‘n Create Carefree Curves Template Set
- Monofilament thread
- Fine Tip Non-Permanent Marking Pen
Cut Fabrics
Cut the following fabric and interfacing pieces:
- From neutral strata cut one 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ fabric square (background).
- From bright fabric strata, randomly cut eight wedges using the Hearts and Gizzards Template included in the Carefree Curves Template Set. Cut the smallest triangle wedge.
- Use a fine tip marking pen to trace the arch on the wrong side of the bright strata wedges.
- Cut one interfacing rectangle 3″ x 32″ (for tops of hearts) Consider also using scrap pieces of interfacing for each heart.
Create the Semicircles
- Place wedges at the corner of the background fabric to determine the best layout. Number the wedges or snap a picture to remember the arrangement.
- Lay out wedges onto fusible interfacing. Pin.
- Straight stitch, using a short stitch length, 2.0–2.5, directly on the marked curve.

- Use a rotary pinking blade to remove excess fabric and interfacing.

- Remove the excess interfacing from within the arch, leaving approximately 1″ of interfacing.

- Turn the interfacing to the wrong side with a turning tool.
- Press.
- Using your numbered pieces or your photo as a guide, sew pairs together. Match right sides, pin, and use a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Press seam allowances open.
Build the Block
- Create four heart shapes per block.
- Match the corners of the four hearts with the corners of the background fabric. Cut edges should also align.
- Pin in place.
- Edgestitch with monofilament thread.
What would a Quilt Look Like?
Suppose we were to make a quilt using only this one block style, what would it look like? Digital quilts are made using Electric Quilt 7 (EQ7) software.
- This first digital quilt features this block repeated nine times. Two borders, 1″ and 4″, were added to this baby size quilt.
- This month I decided to switch up the color palette options to show the same block in a different hue, or in this case black and white. Notice how the corner stones create centers to the flower shapes.
- The last digital quilt shifts all the colors in all the fabrics. The look is quite eclectic and bohemian, in my opinion.
Watch Quilt with Carefree Curves (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
Sew and Share
Send in a photo of your blocks and quilts and we’ll share with others in upcoming blogs and on Facebook. I’d really like to see what fabrics you’re using! Send the images to [email protected]
Bye for now,
Suibhne
THANK YOU SO MUCH for Offering this Post as a Readily Printable PDF!!!
I sincerely hope you’ll considering INCLUDING this PDF Feature on ALL of your current & future postings,
Especially the QALs, BOMs, &/or other serial Topics (:-D
peaceful
I also really like the printable PDF pattern.
Ryan Jaxon
A very informative detailed you shared with me which is very helpful for us