Hello friends and new visitors! Today I'm sharing a new quilt block tutorial - one that is close to my heart.
Recently I was invited to participate in the #SewPINK initiative created by ByAnnie.com and I didn't hesitate for a moment. You see, I am a breast cancer survivor myself and I will take any opportunity to bring awareness to this important issue.
Nearly five (!) years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral (double) mastectomy. During the difficult months of recovery, some dear friends secretly gathered heart quilt blocks from fellow quilters and stitched them together into a sweet quilt which was presented to me. The beautiful, scrappy quilt included a label on the back with an inspirational quote and the names of all who contributed in some way to the quilt. It is still one of my most treasured quilts and brings tears to my eyes just talking about it.
With that beloved quilt in mind, I wanted to share a tutorial for a quilt block that could be used by a group of friends or a guild to make a personalized and meaningful gift for someone battling cancer or going through a difficult time.
This Heartstrings quilt block is a foundation pieced and applique block but it is beginner friendly and is great for using scraps. I wanted you to be able to pull from what you already owned to make these blocks - use those scraps, favorite treasured fabrics, and prints with some meaning behind them.
- a 6 1/2" x 11 1/2" piece for one half of the heart
- a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" background square
- a variety of scraps / strips
- a washable gluestick (optional)
- scissors
- rotary cutter and mat
- sewing machine that can do both straight stitching and zigzag
TIP: You need to sew the strips to the back of the paper so that when it comes time to trim the half heart shape you can see the lines. To make the lines more visible on the backside, you can place the paper against the window and trace over the lines with a pencil.
TIP: When foundation piecing, it is essential to reduce your stitch length. Having a really short stitch length will help to perforate the paper as you sew so it will be much easier to remove at the end!
TIP: The Add-A-Quarter ruler is really helpful for trimming up seam allowances when foundation piecing.
TIP: Because this is a larger piece of fabric, you have a great opportunity to use a print that has a special meaning or message. I love this print from Riley Blake Designs - I had it in my stash and I love that it had some positive and encouraging messages on it.
TIP: Be sure the heart is placed at least 1/2" away from all sides of the background square so it won't get caught in the seam when you're sewing the blocks together.
You're Heartstrings block is done!
If you want to add more personality to your block, another option is to piece the background square! To do this you'll need two rectangles, 6 1/2" x 12 1/2"
TIP: If you use lighter fabrics in your heart, be aware that the background print may show through. For this reason, I chose a light pink background for the right side.
- my pattern shop
- more A Bright Corner tutorials
- view my completed quilts
- read about my book Fresh Fat Quarter Quilts here
✂ Oct. 1 (Thur): Mister Domestic
✂ Oct. 5 (Mon): Sewfinity
✂ Oct. 7 (Wed): Great Heron Thread
✂ Oct. 9 (Friday): Knot and Thread
✂ Oct. 12 (Mon): Snuggles Quilts
✂ Oct. 14 (Wed): A Bright Corner
✂ Oct. 16 (Fri): Suzn Quilts
✂ Oct. 19 (Mon): HUGS'N KISSES
✂ Oct. 20 (Tues): Sallie Tomato
✂ Oct. 22 (Thur): Masterpiece Quilting, Nancy Scott
✂ Oct. 23 (Fri): Meadow Mist Designs
✂ Oct. 26 (Mon): LoveYouSew
✂ Oct. 27 (Tue): Teresa Coates
✂ Oct. 31 (Sat): Sookie Sews of Sue O'Very Designs
The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer.
To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPIN
To find screenings available near you:
To donate directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://give.bcrf.org/give/
So glad you are okay and the hearts are so cute. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTwenty-three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had two lumpectomies and radiation treatment followed by five years of tamoxifen. Still here to tell the tale and keep on quilting! Mom had a mastectomy at age 80 and now our DIL will be having a double mastectomy in the next week or so. The heart blocks are adorable, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful block and your story. Keep up the fight! Spread the word - and GET CHECKED!!! Ten minutes of discomfort could save your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! So important. Love the hearts!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful block!!! I’m fairly new to FPP but this definitely looks like something I could do. Thank you for sharing your story and this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute block. Thank you for the tutorial and download. I love paper piecing.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with breast cancer last year during a routine mammogram. After a lumpectomy and radiation I am cancer free. This cute heart is a reminder to get that mammogram. It hurts a little but it could save your life!
ReplyDeleteWonderful looking block. Thank you for sharing you are courageous.
ReplyDeletelspiegel.corp@me.com
Your heart pattern has come at just the right time. My dear neighbor lost her mother to cancer when she was five and she has been diagnosed with two different cancers herself. She has always contributed quilts for and helped with the Race for Life events in our community and I want to honor her for her commitment to the cause. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years! I know from experience that it is a significant milestone. This is a sweet block and you are wonderful for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on five years of being cancer free! Thank you for sharing this beautiful block!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fun! I’m hoping to make a small top and have my Bible study friends write verses/encouragement on the plain heart half for one of the hurting ladies in our group. Thank you! maggiemae1914(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWow -- I feel for you. That was quite an ordeal to go through. I am glad you are 5 years beyond it now. This is such a sweet looking block. Thank you so much for inspiring us and providing the free tutorial :)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through the Sew Pink blog hop. I love the heart block! My husband lost his mother to breast cancer when he was 19, so I appreciate seeing awareness brought to this horrible disease!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great block! It's lovely in pink, but I'm thinking of trying a scrappy version because I have a bin of donated strips for charity quilts. But how does this zig-zag applique hold up to being washed? Thanks for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI've done a zigzag finish on other applique quilts and it holds up just fine. I prefer a tighter zigzag and I think that helps. Also - I love your idea of a scrappy version of this!
DeleteThanks to the quilter who asked this question, and to you, Andy! I was wondering the same thing. This would make a wonderful charity project - I have been making baby/child size quilts for project Linus. Knowing that the zig-zag holds up in the wash is very important for baby quilts.
DeleteMy mother and her sister both had bilateral breast cancer so it’s an area near to my heart. I love the pink hearts- they look like fun to make.
ReplyDeleteCarol S.
Sandyzoo45@comcast.net
I follow you on Instagram. Congratulations on your recovery! The heart you made is such a lovely tribute. Thank you for the tutorial! Goldeglo@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBreast cancer has always been important to me. I spent years in cancer research. We have made so much progress but we have so far to go.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thanks for being a warrior! You truly are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSo nice you have reached the 5 year mark. Both my MIL and SIL have survived breast cancer- one is a 40 year survivor and the other 10! Thank you for a very pretty block.
ReplyDeleteLove it gailbobhorvath@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSo happy you have past the 5 year mark and going strong. Thankyou for the very cute block.
ReplyDeleteLove the block. I just learned this week that a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I will be using your design to make her a small quilt. Thank you. So happy you've reached the five year mark. I have another friend who just reached fifteen years since her treatment. Dianne
ReplyDeleteToo many people touched by breast cancer... my mother, my sister, her daughter, my best friend. this block is wonderful. thanks for sharing. congrats on the five year mark💗
ReplyDeleteLove the block! In December I will be a 21 year survivor! Here's to good health to you and a big THANK YOU for the block!
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great quilt to make for a dear friend who is a breast cancer survivor now for 5 years!
ReplyDeleteLove these cute heart blocks, Andy!
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of the paper piecing. I am looking forward to making small wall hangings for several breast cancer survivor friends. As a survivor myself I wish all the best to fellow survivors.
ReplyDeleteHiya Andy!
ReplyDeleteBoy oh boy did this tutorial come at the perfect time.
A dear friend moved all the way across the country 2 years ago, leaving family and friends behind here on the West coast of Canada. Her daughter HERE tried to kill herself early this week and my friend is so distraught as she can't come here to be with her daughter. This will be something I CAN do for her to let her know I'm thinking about her. Thank you so much!
Congrats for being a cancer survivor!
Quilty Huggs,
Jacqueline in Canada, snausages 22 @ yahoo dot ca
Thia heart is adorable! You can use it for so many things, too, and make it in many different color ways. Thank you for sharing this pattern with us.
ReplyDeleteCarole
What a clever idea with the pieced hearts. I can see a dozen quilts/table runners/throws/napkins/totes, etc. thank you for this idea 💡
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your story and the cute block. Congrats to being a cancer survivor!
ReplyDeleteAnnette in Denver, akrelle52@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing your story and the quilt block. Both are beautiful. Jackiestills@msn.com
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt block and your story. Thanks for sharing both.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your methods on making the heart. I especially like the different stripes of fabric and how to use more than 1 fabric. Once block alone with additional embellishments will make a wonderful framed gift to give someone any time of year. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the adorable heart pattern. I saw it on Instagram first! This awareness is a wonderful message. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteI just had my yearly mammogram. My sister had a double mastectomy this past spring. Congratulations on making it to the 5 year mark. Also, thanks for the nice pattern. I can see many possibilities for its use.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are a survivor! Bless your heart! I love you block! Is there a way to save your directions? I on an iPad and it won’t let me save it?
ReplyDeleteHi Robin - For me, the best way to save a blog post I want to find again is to pin it to one of my quilting boards on Pinterest. I have a Pinterest board specifically for any quilting tutorial that I find (and want to be able to find again).
DeleteI love this idea. I am starting now and I have a friend who is now with brest cancer and she just had 50, so I will send this a present for her. Thanjs. Aurora
ReplyDeleteHugs and well wishes to all the ladies battling breast cancer disease. Stay strong. lilschlender@gmail.com glad this pattern is applique so no curves to sew.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great block - thanks for sharing the block and your personal story. I was moved by reading others' comments about experiencing cancer themselves or with someone very dear. Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to using this block in a quilt!
ReplyDeleteJust the cutest pattern
ReplyDeleteI want to keep it on case a friend or family member needs it
Thanks for sharing
Your heart blocks are so lovely. A throw full of them will be beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful block! Thank you so much and I can't wait to try it. This is my first visit to your site and I find it very appealing.
ReplyDeleteLovely block! I am going to try this! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story and you made the paper piecing look doable for a beginner. I just have been diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer and you give me hope as I see the oncologist on the 20th. Blessings to you and all on this cancer journey!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your creativity and your experience. The links to the other sites are also appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJane
Beautiful, simple quilt to make for someone undergoing treatment. I hesitate to make things with the pink ribbon emblem as not sure everyone wants to be reminded of their diagnosis. Thank you for sharing your skills.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh... I love this block! I was participating in a project for a friend (I'll call her "L"), who has an incurable kidney cancer that has spread to her hip and leg bones. I participated in a video her sister set up where friends and loved ones took a heart from the right of the screen and passed it to the left of the screen... she put all the videos together to make it look like we were all passing a heart to the next person. Each person's heart was different and personal, some were quite creative. (Sadly, one of my best friend's who participated in the video project, Rich, passed away from a heart attack 3 days after making his part of the video). :(
ReplyDeleteWe were all encouraged to make hearts for the video, so I made a heart shaped pillow that I and my family "passed" in the video. I will be gifting that pillow to "L" when she and her husband get back from her bucket list trip they are currently on. I made the pillow with a small pocket in the back, and our circle of friends has gathered quotes and word of encouragement that I'll print out on business card sized card stock, laminating and tucking in that pillow pocket. Well, the video project was a huge hit with "L"... she messaged me to tell me that her sister, and their entire immediate family did an online watch party to watch the completed video project all together a week ago. "L" told me that she was crying through the entire thing, but really lost it when she saw Rich in the video. It meant the world to her to see him in the video, knowing he is no longer with us. I had to tell her the story behind the heart he made, because he was no longer able to do so...
Anyways... I plan to make your amazing heartstrings quilt block and use it in the making of a bag to put the heart pillow in for gifting to "L". I love it so much! But I will be making it in the color of orange to represent kidney cancer. I already have kidney cancer fabric leftover that I purchased on Spoonflower for use in the heart pillow that I can use.
Forgive me for the long story of a comment. I just really wanted to explain why your heartstrings block hits a chord in my heart.
THANK YOU!
Oops, forgot to add this in my comment... my email address is ginascustomcreations@yahoo.com
DeleteGina - I really love that video idea - what an amazing give to give your friend! Thank for sharing the idea!
DeleteYou’re welcome, Andy 🥰
DeleteSweet block for a heartfelt sentiment!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful heart pattern.
ReplyDeleteOktbear65@yahoo.com
Love it!
ReplyDeleteI think your measurement for the half background block is incorrect. It should be 6.5" by 12.5" - should it not? You have it written as 6 1/2" x 12 1/5". It's a great block and can be used in so many different ways.
ReplyDeleteGood catch Dolores! I've changed that measurement so it's correct now, thank you!
DeleteGreat tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, won't the scraps unravel since they aren't sewn together (piece by piece) when washed? I made one and sewed the scraps together; then looked closely at your instructions here and saw you just flues the scraps to the paper. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat question - and yes, the scraps are sewn together. The glue is only used on the very first strip to hold it in place. After that, you're sewing each new strip to the previous one, right sides together. Then fold it open and stitch the next strip on. The 2nd photo in step 6 shows the stitch lines through the back of the paper.
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