Scrappy Improv Heart Block

Hi everyone! It’s Fran from Cotton and Joy here today. I’m so excited to share a fun project for using up scraps! As a quilter, scraps always seem to accumulate, no matter how carefully I cut or do my quilty math. One of my goals for the new year is to use more of my scraps, and this is the perfect way to do just that!


I was inspired by my friend Julie of Running Stitch Quilts and her book on Improv to try my hand at this technique. Her book inspired this quick tutorial, and it’s a bit of a guided improv, if you will 🙂

Materials:

  • Scraps: Various pinks, reds, and purples are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
  • Background: ¼ yard for the background fabric, cut: two 7″ squares and four 4¼” squares.

Instructions:

1. Cut The Strips

Gather all your heart scraps and cut wonky strips that are at least 8″ long. The widths can vary, but I kept mine between ½” – 3″. I used my rotary cutter and quilting ruler to make sure I had straight edges for my seams, but I didn’t do any lining up – just cut whatever which way!

2. Sew The Panels

Next, sew the strips together to create two panels that measure at least 8″ x 14″. As you sew, check your panels to ensure they stay straight-ish and don’t go super wonky or curvy.

My process was sewing pairs first, then sewing those together, checking every six or so strips to ensure my panels were staying somewhat straight.

Once your panels are each at least 14″ long, trim them to 7½” x 13½” and discard the remnants.

3. Make A Heart

Mark a diagonal line, from corner to corner, on the wrong side of one 7″ square and two 4¼” squares.

Place the 7″ square on the bottom of one panel, right sides together, and sew on the diagonal line. Trim the corner, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seam and discard cut pieces.

Next, place one of the 4¼ ” squares on the top right corner of one panel, right sides together, and sew on the diagonal line. Trim the corner, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press the seam and discard the cut pieces. Repeat the process with a second 4¼” square on the remaining top corner.

Repeat the previous steps with the second panel and remaining background squares, being careful to place the 7″ square to create a reflection from the previous panel.

Finally, sew the two panels together to create one scrappy improv heart block measuring 13½” x 13½”.

Now, you can make more blocks to create a whole quilt or use this one block to make tote bags or a cute quilted pillow!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick tutorial, and I cannot wait to see your scrappy hearts! Until next time 🙂

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