How to Create a February Heart Block with Strip Piecing
February is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to practice strip piecing while creating a charming heart block for your sampler quilt. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, this month’s Block of the Month Party block is designed to be fun, efficient, and rewarding. Plus, it’s not too late to join the party! Sign up today, and you’ll get access to both February’s block and January’s block, so you can easily catch up and complete your quilt by December.
In this blog post, we’ll walk through the steps we took to create the February heart block, share tips for mastering strip piecing, and show you how to make the most of your fabric stash. Let’s dive in!
Watch the February Block Tutorial
Prefer to see the process in action? Check out our step-by-step video tutorial for the February heart block:
What is Strip Piecing?
Strip piecing is a quilting technique that involves sewing fabric strips together, then cutting them into smaller units. It’s a fantastic way to save time, reduce fabric waste, and create perfectly aligned sections for your quilt blocks. This month, we’re using strip piecing to assemble the heart block, and you’ll love how quickly it comes together!
Strip Piecing the Block
- Create Strip Sets: Pair your fabric strips with background fabric strips of matching width and length. Sew them together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Chain Piece: Save time by sewing multiple strip sets in a row without cutting the thread between them.
- Press Seams: Press the seams toward the darker fabric for crisp, nested seams.
For more specific dimensions and fabric requirements, join the Block of the Month Party to download your PDF patterns and instructions.
Adding Snowball Corners
- Draw Diagonal Lines: On the back of smaller squares, draw diagonal lines for snowball corners.
- Sew and Trim: Sew along the lines, trim the excess fabric, and press the corners open.
- Repeat: Add background fabric pieces using the same technique to complete the heart shape.
Tips for Success
- Check Your Seam Allowance: Use the 1/4-inch guide on your sewing machine for consistent seams.
- Press, Don’t Iron: Lift and lower the iron to avoid distorting the fabric.
- Use a Leader: Start with a scrap piece of fabric to prevent thread jams.
Why Join the Block of the Month Party?
If you haven’t joined yet, now’s the perfect time! When you sign up for the Block of the Month Party, you’ll get:
- Access to February’s heart block and January’s block patterns.
- Step-by-step video tutorials (like the one above!).
- A supportive community of quilters to cheer you on.
Share Your Progress!
We’d love to see your February heart block! Share your progress in the Sweet Potato Quilts Facebook group or tag us on Instagram using #SweetPotatoBOM. Don’t forget to join the Block of the Month Party to stay inspired all year long!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Scraps for This Block?
Absolutely! The pattern includes cutting instructions for scraps, pre-cuts, and yardage so you can use whatever fabric you have on hand.
What if I’m New to Strip Piecing?
No worries! Our video tutorial breaks down each step, and the Block of the Month Party community is here to help if you have questions.
Ready to Start Quilting?
The February heart block is a fun and rewarding project that’s perfect for quilters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, strip piecing is a technique you’ll use again and again.
Join the Block of the Month Party today and start creating your sampler quilt with us!
