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“Hidden Hearts” – Free Block of the Month Quilt-Along – Month 1
Hi!
I’ve recently had some requests for quilt designs with simple pieced blocks, and so I thought it was time for another Online Quilt Magazine Block of the Month Quilt-along!
Our ‘Hidden Hearts” quilt is a lovely big one, with a bunch of 6 inch blocks, repeated medallion style, and it’s definitely going to give you plenty of piecing practice.
There are 8 different pieced blocks, and we’ll put them all together in Month 9, which means that you’ll be able to finish your “Hidden Hearts” quilt in January. I’ll post a new pattern here around the second week of every month, so make sure you pop your first name and email address in the boxes to the left hand side of this post, to make sure you hear when each new piece has been released.
As always, change the colours to suit yourself, and do send this to other quilting friends to join in with us too – the more the merrier! 🙂
So let’s get started!
“Hidden Hearts” Quilt
Build a great quilt this year with some simply pieced blocks in some fun colours, and watch those hidden hearts emerge!
Our Queen sized quilt is a medallion style block of the month, pieced with just 8 classic quilt block designs. This layout lends itself to all sorts of colour options – blue and white; red and white; black and white or play with a rainbow of bright or pastel colours as you like. There will be a surprise bonus pattern in the final month of this quilt too.
Duration:
This is a nine (9) month project suitable for beginner to advanced level quilters and will be enjoyed by all.
You Will Need:
The fabrics listed are as for our quilt colourway. We used almost all plain fabrics for our quilt, as we decided to do this project as a colour exercise. If you’d like some colour options, go to www.design-seeds.com for some fantastic palette ideas and how to put different colours together.
1 yard / metre plain light green fabric (Blocks 3,6 and 8)
1 yard / metre plain orange fabric (Blocks 1,7 and corners)
2¼ yards / metres plain cream fabric (Blocks 1,3,4,5 and 8)
2¼ yards / metres plain darker green fabric (Blocks 3, 8 and first border)
2½ yards / metres plain maroon fabric (Blocks 1 and 2, and second border and binding)
1½ yards / metres plain light pink fabric (Blocks 1,5 and 6)
2 yards / metres darker orange (gum leaf print) fabric (Blocks 1,4 and 7)
1¼ yards / metres plain bright yellow (Blocks 2 and 8)
½ yard / metre plain light yellow (Block 5)
Batting measuring at least 90x 90 inches
Backing Fabric measuring at least 90 x 90 inches
Finished Quilt Size:
This quilt is 82 inches wide x 82 inches high. (And blocks are all 6 inches square.)
Preparation:
All fabrics are pre-washed and pressed before use.
It is assumed a quarter-inch seam is used throughout.
Notes:
This is not a difficult quilt to make. Consistency is key, and we recommend using a ¼ inch foot for sewing your blocks together. Whether your quarter inch is slightly over, or under, it doesn’t matter, as long as you do this consistently when making all of these blocks. Stay consistent in this, and you will find your seams will meet, and points will match!
“Hidden Hearts” – Month 1
This month, you will start by making 9 Grecian Square blocks.
You Will Need:
This month, you will need your orange, darker orange, maroon, pink and cream fabrics.
This is the only block that has a few colour variations in this quilt.
As you can see in the picture here, there are 4 blocks that have 1 pink corner, 4 blocks that have 2 pink corners, and 1 block that has all 4 corners pink.
Cut:
From your darker orange fabric, cut 18 squares, measuring 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inches.
Also from your darker orange fabric, cut 36 rectangles, measuring 1½ x 2½ inches.
From your cream fabric, cut 10 squares, measuring 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inches.
From your pink fabric, cut 8 squares, measuring 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inches.
From your orange fabric, cut 36 rectangles, measuring 1½ x 2½ inches.
From your maroon fabric, cut 9 squares measuring 2½ x 2½ inches.
Piecing:
Pair up your 2 7/8 inch squares – one darker orange with one cream or pink square.
Use a pencil and rule a diagonal line on the wrong side of a square, as shown.
With right sides together, and the edges aligned, sew a ¼ inch EITHER side of that marked line.
(You can chain piece these to make it quicker.)
Cut on the line.
Open out and press. You now have two half square triangles.
Lay out your blocks, taking note of which blocks you need to make.
(Remember, you need 4 blocks that have 1 pink corner, 4 blocks that have 2 pink corners, and 1 block that has all 4 corners pink.)
Sew the rectangles together first, and press seams well.
Join the squares together in rows and press seams in opposite directions between rows.
Join your rows together and press blocks well.
Put aside for Month 9.
Next Month, you will sew the next round of blocks for your quilt.
Tip: If you don’t have a small tub to store your blocks flat in, a clean empty pizza box makes a great block storage option!
I do hope you’ll join us on this block of the month quilt-along, and I’d love to hear what colours you’re going to make yours in too. Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts on this.
And if you haven’t yet, do check out our Online Quilt Magazine for more Exclusive Patterns, Articles, “How To’s” and Hints and Tips, delivered straight to your Inbox each month.
Enjoy your week!
