Rounded Log Cabin Heart In the Hoop

This lovely Heart is made from log cabin blocks. The rounded shape is made by using different width of the strips in the block.

Finished size approx 40x40” (100x100cm). If you can’t use the 260x260mm hoop in your embroidery machine you can resize the squares to 200x200mm in the embroidery software. Finished size will then be 32x32” (80x80cm)

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What you need:
Calculating the yardage for this type of quilt blocks is difficult so the yardage below is an estimated amount when making the log cabin block in original size, 255x255mm

• Fabric for the heart( different shades of your selected color, in this case pink and purple) a total amount of 1 yd (1 meter)
• Fabric for the background strips (white) 1 ½ yd (1½ meter)
• Fabric for binding the edges(same as the background fabric) 4 strips 2½” (6,5cm)wide
• Thin batting 12 squares 11x11” (28x28cm)
• Soft cutaway stabilizer or an old white bed sheet (will not be visible in the final quilt but use white or very light color) enough amount for 12 hoopings
• 260mmx260mm embroidery hoop or 260x360mm (you can resize the embroidery file to 200x200mm if you need to fit a smaller hoop)
• Sewing thread matching the background color.
• Fabric for the back of the quilt. 44x44" (110x110cm)
• Fabric for the hanging corner squares (same as the back fabric) 4 squares 6x6” (15x15cm)
• Embroidery file for the quilt block can be found in mySewnet embroidery Library. Get the file Here:

Preparing:
Cut out the strips for the heart and background. The wide strips are 2” (5cm) wide and the narrower strips are cut 1½” (3,5 cm).

Stitching out the blocks

 You will need a total of 16 blocks. It is the same block, but different placement of the color:

Six rounded blocks for the top of the heart:    

Two filled blocks for the center of the heart:    

Two pointed blocks for the tip of the heart:       

And six background blocks all white:              

Stitching out the blocks (the curved block is shown in the step by step instructions below)

The blocks will be stitched from the center and out clockwise in this order:

1. Hoop cutaway stabilizer (or other fabric) stitch out color 1, this will make a placement line for the batting.

2. Place batting on top, make sure it covers the stitching on all sides.

3. Stitch out color 2, this will secure the batting and stitch out the placement lines for the fabric patches.

4. Place a small piece on the batting in the center (1).

5. Stitch next color, this will secure the patch in the first square.

6. Place a 1 ½ “ (3,5cm) wide fabric strip in backround color (white) right sides together on top of the first fabric piece, raw edges even on the upper side.

7. Sew the next color, this will stitch a line between the patches.

8. Flip the fabric up. Finger press if necessary. and stitch the next color, this will secure the fabric in place in patch 2. Cut off the strip next to the stitched line, leave about ¼ “ (6mm) seam allowance.

9. Now add the strip on top of the two patches, right sides together and raw edges even at the right side.

10. Stitch the next color, this will stitch the fabric in place between patches 1+2 and 3.

11. Flip out the fabric and stitch out the next color this will secure the fabric in place, cut the strip.

12. Change to a 2” (5cm) wide fabric strip in heart color and place it on top of the sewn patches, raw edges even on the lower side. Stitch out the next color, flip out and secure with next color and cut the strip.. Repeat with next side (left), using the same strip. Now it will look like this:

13. Change to narrow background strips again and make the two following patches. Now it will look like this:

14. Continue to add strips in a clockwise manner. On the wider patches, use the wide strips and on the narrower patches narrow strips.

Tip: On the final row use wide background strips on the narrow patches to get more seam allowance.

The finished block will look like this:

15. Unhoop the finished block and cut out with a ⅜” (1cm) seam allowance from the stitched outline. If you don't get enough seam allowance everywhere it is ok, because the cutaway stabilizer (or other fabric used as stabilizer) will be used as a guide instead:

16. Make the other blocks in the same manner. Be aware of color placement in the different blocks.

Sewing it together
17. Lay out the blocks for the quilt:

18. Sew together in rows. Pin the blocks together and stitch just inside the stitched outline.

19. When the quilt top is pieced together, cut off 5” (12,5cm) from the bottom edge and stitch it on top of the quilt. The result will look like this:

Your quilt top is now finished!

Final steps:
20. Place the backing fabric on the table, wrong side up and place the quilt on top of it with the right side up. Pin in place and stitch together close to the edge about ¼” 6mm.

Optional:
Quilt in the ditch between the squares to secure the backing fabric.

Hanging sleeve corners
This is an easy way to make it possible to hang your quilt on the wall. See separate instructions for this. You can find them Here:

Binding
Find instructions on how to bind the edges of the quilt Here:

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There are so many design options with this block: Here are some other examples!