1	2	3	4	5	6

Swatches used for this project.

This is a simple enough project for the beginner. These instructions will produce a slightly large lap size quilt. You will need a minimum of 6 different fabrics. 3 lights and 3 darks. (*you can use scraps for the rail fence, but the "solid" blocks should all be the same to get the correct "heart" appearance in the quilt.)

Fabric Quantities

• 1/2 yard each of 2 lights (for the rail fence blocks) (Swatches 4 & 6)
• 1/2 yard each of 2 darks (Swatches 3 & 5)(for the rail fence blocks)
• 1 yard of one additional light (Swatch 2)(for "solid" light block)
• 1 yard of one additional dark (Swatch 1)(for "solid" dark block)
• 3/4 yard each of one light and one dark* (for the inner and outer borders)
     *you may use the same colors as you used for the "solid" blocks if you like

Cutting Instructions

• Cut 7 strips 2" x 42"(width of fabric) each of fabrics 3-6 (That is, 2 lights and 2 darks.)
• Cut 4 strips 6.25" x (width of fabric) each from the remaining one dark and one light fabric.
• Cut the 6.25" strips into 6.25" squares

Begin Sewing

(All seams should be 1/4")
Making the rail fence squares:

• Sew the two light 2" x 42" strips together.
• Sew the two dark 2" x 42" strips together.
• Now join the light and the dark strips together.
  *Make sure that the "medium" value of each is joined together so that your block goes left to right
  {very light} {light} {medium} {dark} (refer to the picture of the completed block)
• Press all seams in the same direction (towards the dark end.)
• Your strips should now be 6.25" x 42" (or the width of the fabric.)
• Cut your strips down into 6.25" squares.
• You should now have:
  a stack of 44 6.25" rail fence squares:
  a stack of 22 6.25" light squares
  and a stack of 22 6.25" dark squares.
  

Assembling the quilt top:

(the dashed lines represent your seam lines)

This final block will be henceforth referred to as Block1. You will need a total of 22 of these full blocks.

Cut 3 of your heart squares (Block1) in half on the diagonal. (This will give you 6 half heart squares for the right and left side.) Set these aside for now. (These will be referred to as HS1a and HS1b.)

Cut three heart squares (Block1) according to this block diagram. (These will be referred to as HS2 and HS3.)

Cut one of your HS3 triangles on the diagonal through the light pink square.

You now have 1 triangle (HS3a):

and 1 triangle (HS3b):

 

These blocks are set on point, (that is, set looking like a diamond.) For easier assembly, refer to the table below for completing your quilt top. Sew the pieces row by row, pressing seam allowances to opposing direction. Thus, the top row, press seam allowances to the right, and the next row, to the left, and so on. Doing so will make it easier when you are attaching each row together. Be sure to lay the blocks out on the floor, or on a design wall, before sewing together to ensure correct assembly.

			HS1b	HS2
		HS1b	Block1	Block1	HS2
	HS1b	Block1	Block1	Block1	Block1	HS2
HS3a	Block1	Block1	Block1	Block1	Block1	HS1a
	HS3	Block1	Block1	Block1	HS1a
		HS3	Block1	HS1a
			HS3b

 

When completed, it should look like this:

Adding Borders

Measuring with your ruler through the center of your quilt, determine the length of the quilt top. (My example is 59.5.) Using your 3" light pink border fabric, add the inner border to the right and left sides of the top. (You will need to use two strips from your 44" fabric to get the correct length. Join these strips with a diagonal seam and position the middle of that seam with the middle of your quilt sides when attaching the border.)

Measuring through the center of the quilt again, determine your new width with the added borders. (My example is 56.5.) Use the same procedure as above for creating your long strip. Attach the top and bottom border.

Repeat the above steps for adding the second border (dark pink).

Finishing the Quilt

• Pick out your backing fabric and batting.
• Cut each several inches larger than your quilt top.
• Sandwich and machine or hand quilt the package. (Stitch in the ditch will work well for this quilt.)
• Following the instructions for bindings, attach your binding.

Completed Quilt (62x70.5)

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This design is the original creation and © of Kimberly Crapsey. Please do not use graphics without permission. You may print the pattern for your personal usage. However, please email me at webmistress@columbus.rr.com for any other usage. Thank you.