Valentine’s Projects Round Up

With the release of the free Lotta Love Blocks pattern this week, I’ve got all things Valentine’s on the brain. And there’s no shortage of heart-themed projects available on the blog, so if you’re looking to celebrate the holiday this month or anytime you want to show some love, read on!

The Maker’s Heart pattern is a great jumping-off point. The pattern includes options for three paper-pieced blocks that finish at 2 ½” square, 3 ½” square, and 2 ½” x 4 ½” (3”, 4”, and 3” x 5” templates respectively). The 3” template is a standalone heart block that can be incorporated into anything you might want to make. The 4” and 3” x 5” templates can also be used as standalone blocks, but they were designed to be used as pincushions, and the pattern includes instructions for finishing them as such.⁣ The square ones would also make the cutest coasters!

This simple pattern is a great introduction to foundation paper piecing (FPP), so don’t let that scare you off! Check out the blog for more.

Then, last year, I created the free Maker’s Heart Mini Pouch tutorial, which incorporates one of the Maker’s Heart pattern templates into a mini lined drawstring bag, perfect for carrying any itty bitty goodies you want. I filled mine with some chocolates, a note, and a gift card for as a Valentine’s thank you for my son’s teachers, but the possibilities for these sweet pouches are endless. The main part of the bag finishes at just 5” x 6”, and you could easily put several together in one night of sewing fun. Check out the tutorial here.

You can also use the 3” Maker’s Heart pattern template to create homemade Valentine’s. For this card I made a few years ago, I switched the color and background fabric placement so the color would create a “border” for the block, setting it apart from the white card. Add a few dabs of glue to secure it to the front of a blank card (I like these) and then stitch around the edge in a matching thread to finish it off. Add a sweet note, and you’re done! Check out the blog post here.

For a sweet seasonal quilt block, check my Love Encircled block pattern. This block is a simple introduction to incorporating FPP into a block. It combines both traditional piecing and FPP to create a symbol of the power of being encircled by the arms of love. Love comes in many forms, and the families we all create for ourselves can look very different. In the end, it’s about connection and making sure the people we surround ourselves with are there to love and support us.

The Love Encircled block pattern includes instructions for making a 12.5” block (finishes at 12”), and you can go simple or scrappy with this design. It would make such a cute pillow, or make a lot of blocks for a full quilt. Check out the blog for more.

If you’re looking to go bigger, there’s no better option than the pattern that started all the heart love around here: the Heart of Hearts quilt pattern! I loved the idea of a heart made up of hearts, simple as that. The geometry of the squared-off hearts and large negative space make this a fun, modern take on the classic heart quilt.

The pattern is layer-cake friendly, too, which I’m really excited about. I don’t find many layer-cake patterns out there, but it’s such a fun and potentially useful pre-cut. And don’t worry, the fabric requirements include options for fat quarters / fat eighths (depending on the size) plus yardage and scraps, too, so you’re set no matter what you’re looking to use. Check out the blog for more.

Oh, and if you want to finish off your quilt with some special binding, don’t miss my heart big-stitch binding tutorial!

And, of course, you don’t want to forget the new, free Lotta Love Blocks pattern. This quick, scrappy project includes instructions for making L, O, V, and E individual letter blocks, as well as instructions for turning them into coasters/trivets (with two finishing options) or a sweet “Love” pillow. The size of these blocks also makes them perfect for sampler-style quilts. You’ll want to use them year-round!

What will you be sewing this Valentine’s? Do you love sewing hearts, too?