Woven Heart block tutorial
As promised, the Woven Heart Block tutorial is here! This is my thanks to all of you who take the time to follow me and a celebration of my 5 year blogging anniversary. There is still one day left to enter the giveaway celebrating this milestone; I’ll be picking two winners on Sunday.
You’ll love these heart blocks because there is no curved piecing involved. The half circles are made using a faced technique of applique that is very easy and forgiving. Don’t worry if you don’t like applique. It’s more like piecing – I promise!
I’ve been having so much fun making these Woven Heart blocks, that I didn’t want to sit down at my computer to write the tutorial! These are SO addictive and it’s hard to stop with just one. So, I didn’t! I made four blocks and turned them into a table runner (fabric is Love by Sandy Gervais for Moda).
The following tutorial is for one 9 1/2″ finished block. I’ll have a follow up post with setting options and other projects I’m making using this block.
Woven Heart block tutorial
Finished block size: 9 1/2″. All seams are 1/4″
Supplies:
- Background fabric, 1 fat quarter or 1/4 yard (I used two different backgrounds for this tutorial. One background fabric makes the heart stand out more as in the table runner above.)
- Fabric A, 1/8 yd. or scraps
- Fabric B, 1/8 yd. or scraps
- Lightweight fusible interfacing, 1/4 yard
- monofilament thread (optional)
- Half Circle Template . Print onto plain paper at actual size.
Cutting:
- Background: Cut (2) 3″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles, (1) 3″ square, and (2) 6″ squares, cut in half diagonally once
- Fabric A: Cut (1) 3 1/2 x 5″ rectangles and (2) 1 1/2″ x 7″ rectangles
- Fabric B: Cut (1) 3 1/2 x 5″ rectangles and (2) 1 1/2″ x 7″ rectangles
- Interfacing: Cut (2) 3 1/2″ x 5″ rectangles
Piecing Instructions
Woven center:
- Stitch together the fabric A and B 1 1/2″ x 7″ rectangles to form a 4 piece strip set (the picture shows longer strips). Press seams toward the darker fabric.
- Subcut this stripset into (4) 1 1/2″ wide segments.
- Stitch the segments together to form the woven center. This should measure 4 1/2″ square.
- Press the seams to one side or “twirl” the seams as shown below.
Half Circles
- Print out the Half Circle Template onto plain paper and make sure it’s actual size.
- Trace the half circle onto the smooth side of the 3 1/2″ x 5″ lightweight fusible interfacing rectangles. TIP: I like using a Frixion pen for this step. It will disappear once ironed.
- Pin the bumpy (fusible) side of the interfacing onto the right side of each Fabric A and Fabric B (3 1/2″ x 5″) rectangle.
- Shorten your stitch length to 1.5 to 1.8. Stitch on the drawn line, making sure to pivot smoothly. You want the curve to be smooth and not “pokey”. TIP: If you have an adjustable presser foot tension dial, you can decrease the amount of pressure so that it’s easier to turn.
- Trim 1/8″ outside of the stitching. TIP: Use pinking shears to reduce the bulk.
- Turn right side out and finger press or use a wooden iron (a real iron will melt the fusible). TIP: I also run That Purple Thang
along the inside of the seam to push it out as much as possible.
along the inside of the seam to push it out as much as possible.
- Fold the background 3″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles in half and make a finger crease to mark the center. Do the same with the half circles. Match creases for proper placement. There should be 1/4″ on each side of the half circle for the seam.
- Press the half circle in place. The fusible interfacing will temporarily glue it in place.
- Stitch along the edge of the half circle. You can use matching thread or monofilament thread (I like Superior’s Monopoly). I used a narrow zig zag stitch (1.3 wide and 2.7 long on my Bernina), but you could also use a straight stitch or blind hem stitch. For more information about this technique, visit my Turned Edge Applique Tutorial.
Assemble Block
- Place the woven center, half circle rectangles and background 3″ square as shown below.
- Stitch units together to create the woven heart. It should measure 7″ square.
TIP: Pay attention to the area where the half circles meet in the center. You want the 1/4″ seam to reach the edge of the half circle. Below is a photo of what it looks like when they don’t line up and after its fixed.
- Add corner triangles to the heart unit.
- Match the centers of each side to the center of the background corner triangle. Stitch.
- Press toward the triangles.
- Trim block to 10″ square. TIP: Line up the 5″ lines from your ruler to the center of each side (look for the corner seams). Trim evenly on all sides.
That’s it! Now you can go make lots of woven hearts. You can use the “print friendly” button at the end of this post to print only the parts of this tutorial that you need.
I’ll be in my sewing room making more projects with these sweet little hearts. Have a great weekend and enjoy!
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WHERE IS THE TUTORIAL??
Help please! Where is that elusive little print button, please? I love the Woven Hearts pattern. Thank you!
I just completed the woven heart pattern as a table runner, but can’t figure out how to post the photo to this comment.
Sorry I can’t find the button!
i cant find button either. Thank you for the pattern.
Your heart pattern is adorable! Can’t wait to try it.
I absolutely agree with you. I can’t wait to try it too
This looks great. I have fabric that’s been calling, waiting for this block!
I’ve been looking for a little heart project to make and send to my granddaughter. This is the perfect little project to make for her. I have enough time to get it together and mail it out in time.
Thanks for this beautiful little heart pattern.
Sincerely,
Alice g
Thank you for the sweet heart block! ❤️
Just finished this super cute Woven Heart Block. Your instructions were perfect, and I have one lovely block and several more to go. Thanks so very much for a sweet Valentine!
Thank you for this, Julie. It’s a great tutorial and a beautiful block. I will have to make something with this for my daughter, whose birthday is in February.
Really love this block Julie. Thank you for the great tutorial.
Super cute and perfect for Valentine’s day, I love it!
I love this cute and “right-sized block” (just working on a lovely but tedious many-pieces quilt), giving me a break from other projects. Even though I had vowed not to start anything new, this turned my head. Thank you!
I need little project for a secret valentines gift at my work…..this looks perfect for the job…so I’ve bookmarked it.
Love this heart. I try to make something new for Valentines Day every year. This is perfect to add to my collection!
Thanks Julie, what a sweet block.
This looks perfect for Valentine’s Day! Can’t wait to try it!
Has anyone made this? I am not coming up with a “woven center” of squares. Is there a typo?
I think it just looks woven but is not actually woven
Thank you. Love the table runner.
Just found your site, very cute valentine block hope to make a table runner. I will be following along your blog. Congratulations on your 5 years!
I love this heart! T
hanks for sharing the pattern. How do you twirl the seams? Sometimes mine will go by themselves but other times I need to snip them apart. What’s the trick?
I love this pattern. I made log cabin style heads in a quiktnusing this method for the rounded years ago but forgot all about it. Thanks for the tutorial. And the tips !
This looks like a fun little project, thank you!
I love making table runners and gifting my non-sewing friends with them.
Thank you so much Julie! What a fun project!
Its a very pretty block, thank you for sharing it Julie. I read the instructions and understand the fusible interfacing is pinned onto the right side of the underneath half circle to hold it in place on the backing after turning, but does it also go on the right side of the top – have I misunderstood the instructions?
Awe this is such a sweet tutorial, thanks!
Thank you so much Julie I am rally looking forward to making this cute little block.
I have been looking for something for my home for Valentine’s Day. This will be perfect. Thank-you.
I am definitely making this! So cute . Thank you for your inspirations.
Thank you so much for this block! I can’t wait to make one (some:)
Love your woven heart block! I am trying to turn some extra Valentine’s blocks, leftover from a previous quilt, into a new project for Valentine’s this year, and the blocks are the same size as your heart one, so I plan on trying it out to add to my new quilt. Thank you for the great tutorial, the information and photos will make it a fun experience I am sure!
Thank you, Julie! What a sweet little block!
You are so amazing! Such energy and such beautiful work.
I love the heart pattern, however, I didn’t see the “print friendly” button at the end. Did I miss it, or is it missing?
Thank you for sharing!
Just found that tiny little button! Thank you.
Can you share with the rest of us where the “tiny little button” is located ?
Thanks very much for the pattern and tutorial! Love the table runner!