Kissing Hearts Table Runner

Here is another fun Valentine runner to make.  This was a free pattern post a few years ago and a few folks have asked that I bring it back.  The PDF pattern attached is for the original version with the large squares in the middle to show off your quilting.

The PDF download is here.

I thought it would be fun to add some detail to the centers so I updated my 2021 version with fun pinwheels!  Luna decided it would be a lovely place to settle in for a nap when I decided to take the picture.

Here it is without Miss Luna!

If you would like to create the pinwheels for the center, it is super easy.  You will make Half Square Triangles in two coordinating colors.  I used different colors for the 'X' block and the two Heart blocks as I was working from scraps in my stash.

You will need for each center, two 4" light background squares and two 4" contrast color squares.   

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light background squares.

        Place RST on the contrast fabric squares.

        Sew a scant ¼” to each side of the drawn line then cut on the line.

        Press to the dark.

        Square as needed to 3 1/2"

Now arrange your half square triangles into a pinwheel and sew together.  Your block should be 6 1/2".  Use this block in place of the plain square in the center of the block.

    

I would love to see pictures of your version!  Be sure to show them them off on social media and join our Dragonfly Fiberart Show & Share Group where you can post all your completed Dragonfly Fiberart Pattern projects and share them with all our friends!

Happy Sewing!

All The Best

Sue

Hearts Full of Love Table Runner Part 2

Part 2 of the Hearts Full of Love Table Runner will create the second block which is the string heart.  We will also put the blocks together, add the borders and I can share with you how I quilted it. But certainly do your own thing as my quilting is primitive at best on a domestic machine.

 

There are a couple of ways you can do this block.  If you wish to piece it (which I did) you can follow the instructions here.  However, if you would rather paper piece it, you can find the foundation here. Because the block is wider than a page, it will tile onto two pages.  Just tape the pages together, lining up the lines.  Be sure your printer is set to full size, no scaling.

Here are the pieces we previously cut:

Light Background: (Tip:  Label your parts to make it easier to identify)
(1) 5 3/4" square and cut twice diagonally (upper heart center)
(4) 5 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (lower heart corners)
(4) 3 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (upper heart corners)

From accent 1 (my pink polka dots):

(1) 2" x WOF  (heart blocks)

 

From accent 2 (my pink with white circle bursts)

(1) 2 1/4" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

From main fabric (my red floral)

(1) 3 3/4" x WOF (heart block)

 

From accent 3  (my pink floral)

(1) 2" x WOF (heart blocks)

Create the heart body strip set:

Sew together in order, the 2" accent 3, 2 1/4" accent 2 and the 2" accent 1 strips using a scant quarter inch seam allowance.  Press the seams in the same direction, being careful not to distort your strip set. Your strip set should measure 5 1/4".  From this strip set, cut 4 units that are 8 1/2" wide.

From the main fabric 3 3/4" strip, cut 4 pieces that are 3 3/4" x 5 1/4".  We should now have all our parts.

Sew a center triangle to the short side of the 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" piece.  The tip of the triangle should extend 1/4" beyond the end.  This provides the seam allowance you will need. Press to the dark.

Attach this piece to the strip set.

Press the seam toward the strip set.  Now add the two upper corner triangles.  Press the seams toward the triangles. Remember that the tips of the triangles extend 1/4" beyond the end for the seam allowance.

Now attach the first of the lower triangle corners. The tip of the triangle should extend 1/4" past the edge for your seam allowance.  Press the seam to the triangle.

Next, add the second lower corner in the same manner as the first.

Place a 9 1/2" square up ruler on the block and trim off the excess.  Make 4 blocks.

Now assemble your blocks per the diagram below.  Note the direction of the heart string blocks.  Measure the sides and cut the inner border side strips to length and attach.  Repeat for the top and bottom.  Repeat these steps for the outer border.  Layer the top, batting and backing and quilt as desired. 

From the binding fabric, cut 4 strips 2 1/4" x WOF.  Join the strips with a mitered seam.  Press in half and attach the binding to your quilt.

I am not the greatest free motion quilter (sigh) so I tend to quilt with straight lines.  For this runner, I did stitch in the ditch around each block component then some echo quilting 1/4" from the seams in the triangle areas and on the strings in the heart block.  I traced out hearts in the open blocks of the nine-patch and stitched them using my walking foot.

I hope you had fun making this sweet runner!  Be sure to check out my website for lots of fast and fabulous quilt patterns and Happy Valentine's Day! www.DragonflyFiberart.com

Pattern PDF Download Printable

Happy Sewing!

Sue

Paper Piecing The Moda Village House Blocks

Village Quilt Blocks - Paper Piecing

I really liked the little chimneys on these blocks but it seemed that no matter what I did, they came out wonky perhaps due to the bias distorting.  So I had given up on them.  Then my brilliant friend Deb said "I think I will paper piece these house blocks" and the light bulb went off!  I immediately jumped into Electric Quilt and quickly drew up the block. 

So for those of you that would like to foundation piece this block, click here for the foundation PDF.  Be sure that when you print, your printer is set to full size no scaling.

I have also included the foundation for the house block no chimney here.

I also found out on the web some really cool versions of trees and other things.  Debbie Roberts of the Quilted Moose did an awesome quilt in black and white and was kind enough to create foundations for her trees. The links are on the Moda site under the village blog articles.  You can reach it here.  Debbie did a great step by step tutorial on her website.  You can read it at The Quilted Moose.

Here is her foundations.  Midnight Village Rooftop 

Midnight Village Trees

 I also did a tree, deciduous rather than a fir.  That foundation is here.  TREE 

 

So I hope you have as much fun with these blocks as we did.  Many groups did block swaps and some of the different layouts that folks put together were amazing.  You can see tons of them on Facebook and Pinterest.

 

Happy Sewing!

Sue

 

 

Hearts Full of Love Sew-along - Part 1

 Valentine's Day is not far away so I thought it would be fun to brighten our spaces with a fun runner full of hearts and hugs!

 

The runner is 24" x 42" and has two simple blocks that are repeated.  We will do the runner in two parts.  Part 1 will be gathering your fabrics, cutting and creating the 'X' block.  This block is 9" finished and consists of easy four patches and a pinwheel in the center.  When put together, the components create a nine patch.

First things first!  Let's gather some fabric.  I used pieces from my stash.

                            1/3 yard of light background (I used white on white print) 

                            1/3 yard accent 1 (I used pink polka dots - heart blocks, 4-patches & inner border)

                            1/8 yard accent 2 (I used pink and white circle bursts - heart blocks)*

                            1/2 yard main (I used red floral for blocks and borders)

                            1/4 yard accent 3 (I used pink floral - pinwheels, heart blocks)*

                            1/3 yard binding

                            3/4 yard backing  

 

*Fat quarters would also work for accent 2 and accent 3.  Just cut twice where WOF is indicated. 

 

 From the light background cut:

(1) 2 1/2" x WOF - subcut (8) 2 1/2" squares (pinwheel HST's)

(1) 3 1/2" x WOF - subcut (16) 3 1/2" squares (nine patch block)

(1) 5 3/4" x WOF - subcut this strip as follows:

                            cut (1) 5 3/4" square and cut twice diagonally (upper heart center)

                            cut (4) 5 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (lower heart corners)

                            cut (4) 3 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (upper heart corners)

         

Cut twice diagonally

 

Cut once diagonally

 

From accent 1 (my pink polka dots) cut:

(1) 2" x WOF  (heart blocks)

(3) 1 1/2" x WOF (inner border)

(2) 2" x WOF (4-patches)

 

From accent 2 (my pink with white circle bursts)

(1) 2 1/4" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

From main fabric (my red floral)

(2) 2" x WOF  (4 - patches)

(4) 2 1/2" x WOF (outer border)

(1) 3 3/4" x WOF (heart block)

 

From accent 3  (my pink floral)

(1) 2 1/2" x WOF - subcut (8) 2 1/2" squares (pinwheel blocks)

(1) 2" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

Nine Patch Pinwheel and Four Patch Block:  Make 4

 

 

Make Strip Sets:  Sew a 2" x WOF accent 1 strip to a 2" x WOF main fabric to create a strip set.  Use an accurate 1/4" seam allowance so that your strip is straight and measures 3 1/2". Make (2) strip sets.  Press the seam to the dark.  Sub-cut from these strip sets (32) 2" wide units.

 

 Make 4-Patch Units: Make two piles of 16 units each and turn one so they are opposite.  Chain sew units together to create the four patch units.  You will need 16 four patches.  

 

Before pressing, be sure to spin the seams in the back to cut down on the bulk in the center.  You should see a little four patch like below.  Set aside.

Make Half Square Triangles:  Gather the (8) 2 1/2" background squares and draw a diagonal line on the back of each (or press a crease if preferred).  Place right sides together with the 2 1/2" accent 3 squares.  Sew a scant 1/4" on either side of the drawn line. Cut on the line and press open to the dark.

Press to the dark and square up to 2"

Place the HST units in piles by your machine in the order they are to be sewn.  Chain piece the HST units through the machine in order.  Keep the chains intact. Now pair the halves of the pinwheel together and chain piece the final seam to complete the unit.

Turn the units over and spin the center seam like you did on the four patches.  This will cut the bulk in the center. Press the blocks and square to 3 1/2".

 

Assemble the Nine Patch Block: (Make 3)

Lay out your block components in the order they are to be sewn.  We will chain piece the blocks together in order so that everything will be kept together with the chains through the final seams.

Starting at the top of the first row, sew the left column blocks to the center column blocks, pick up the first block in the second row and sew to the center, and pickup the first block in the third row and sew to the center.  Keep sewing the first and second columns together until they are all sewn.  

Now starting at the beginning attach the blocks from the third column in order.  This will keep all your blocks chained together in order.

Now you can sew the final seams together to finish the nine patch blocks. Be sure to bookend the seams as you sew.  I finger pressed as I sewed.   It really doesn't matter which way you press the seams.  I pressed mine to the background blocks for the least amount of bulk.  Once the blocks are all sewn, give them a good pressing.  Now make sure they measure 9 1/2" square.  

You did it!  We have finished Part 1.  Next week in part two we will create the heart string blocks, put the blocks together and finish the runner.