This month’s block is a Postage Stamp Heart.
The squares are all 2″ and finish at 1 1/2″, so your seams will need to be accurate. You maybe able to make the outside strips wider if you are short.
Fabric Needed
Red – 1/8 yard or a Flat Quarter. Cut 6 – 2″ squares, and 10 – 2 1/2″ squares. Then two strips 12 1/2″ x 2 and two strips 9 1/2″ x 2 (may make a little wider if needed to accommodate for any seam variances.)
Multiple colors/patterns for the heart. Total of 20 – 2″ squares, and 5 – 2 1/2″ squares (for HST)
I used 20 different patterns from the “Abstract Garden” by Christa Watson. The HST are 5 patterns repeated for the 10 HST. The design was created on EQ8 after importing in the Abstract Garden fabric samples.
Making HST
Take the 5 colored squares you want to use for the HST, and draw a single line from one corner to the other corner.
Make the 10 HST by combining one red square to one colored square, sew a scant 1/4″ from the line on both sides of the line. After sewing cut down the drawn line.
Square up the squares by one of the following :
Option 1 – Use a Triangle Square up Ruler, to square the block before you press open, easiest way.
Option 2 – Use a ruler to measure and square up the pressed open square.
Next step is to press open all the squares, by pressing the seam towards the red (or darker side).
If you squared using the triangle method, you will have the “dog tails” on the corners that you can snip off.
Layout
Layout the 2″ colored squares based on the block pattern, and then add the HST and the red 2″ squares to complete the middle.
Double check the layout to make sure you like the way it looks. Move squares around until you are happy. I usually use my phone to take a picture to see how it looks, for some reason it helps to see errors and where I need to change squares.
Once it is laid the way you want, sew each row together.
Sew the blocks together using chain piecing.
Press the seams so that they will nest with the next row.
I.e. Press rows 1, 3,5 one direction and rows 2,4,6 the opposite direction.
Double check that you have sewn the rows correctly and they are laid out the way you want before you proceed to next step.
Sew the rows together, nesting the rows together. Press all the seams one direction.
Add the 9 1/2″ strips to each side of the block. Press open.
Add the 12 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the block. Press open.
You now have the February Postage Stamp Heart block done! Post a picture on our Facebook group!
Click here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.
Thank you for joining us in this Season Block of the Month!
See you next month!
Lisa's Quilting Passion 