easy patchwork heart pillow & tutorial

This week I did a patchwork heart pillow for a sweet friend of mine who's birthday is today on Valentines Day.  I thought it would be fun to do a Valentines/birthday pillow.   The pillow is inspired by this heart quilt.  In case you'd like to make one in the future I have some instructions and measurements for you, as it really is simple. 

Here is what you need~

31, 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch red, aqua, and pink squares
2, 18 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch white strips
2, 8 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch white strips
3, 6 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch white strips
4, 4 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch white strips
7, 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 inch white squares
Coordinating backing fabric
Coordinating binding fabric
Quilting Ruler
Rotary Cutter

Cut your pieces and lay them out as follows~

1st row, 18 1/2 inch strip
2nd row, 4 1/2 white, 2 1/2 aqua, 6 1/2 white, 2 1/2 red, 4 1/2 white
3rd row, 2 1/2 white, 2 1/2 red, pink, aqua, 2 1/2 white, 2 1/2 pink, aqua, red, 2 1/2 white
4th row, 2 1/2 white, 2 1/2 aqua, red, pink, red, aqua, pink, aqua, 2 1/2 white
5th row, 2 1/2 white, 2 1/2 pink, aqua, red, pink, red, aqua, pink, 2 1/2 white
6th row, 4 1/2 white, 2 1/2 pink, aqua, red, pink, red, 4 1/2 white
7th row, 6 1/2 white, 2 1/2 pink, aqua, red, 6 1/2 white
8th row, 8 1/2 white, 2 1/2 pink, 8 1/2 white
9th row, 18 1/2 white

 Stitch squares and strips together into rows

 Stitch your rows together

 Sandwich and quilt your top

 Add backing and then binding

 All done!!  Isn't that super easy!  I think it is so much fun to have a project you can get done quickly especially after working on a bigger quilt.  :)

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentines Day!!  My hubby and I are going to have a lovely evening eating out, and I'll be stopping by my friends to hand deliver her pillow.  She's stuck at home with a couple sick kiddos so maybe this will cheer her up.  :)

 Hugs,

x's & o's quilt tutorial

I finally was able to finish up the x's & o's quilt.  I wasn't able to get to quilting it till this weekend since life got a little busy.  My sweet sister in law had twins a week and half ago about 4 1/2 weeks early so had been helping with one of her other little ones and even got to go there last week and take some pictures of them.   :)

Thanks for all the sweet comments on the quilt top in my last post!!  I truly love hearing from you, and thanks for being so patient for the tutorial!  Are you ready to see how I made it!?!...  Here is what you'll need~

Rotary Blade & Ruler
Scissors
Pins
3 charm packs
Red (32), aqua (32), pink (28) and white (28) solid fabric, 5 X 5 inch squares
3/4 yard small border fabric
1 yard large border fabric
3/4 yard binding fabric
Rotating cutting mat (optional)

Finished size, approx. 62 X 72

Let's get started!

Take one of your charm squares and cut it in half. 

This is where the rotating cutting mat is really helpful.  Turn your mat and then cut it in half again so you have 4, 2 1/2 inch squares.

Keep going till you have all your charm squares that you want to use cut.

Pick out 8 small squares, and 4 solid red squares.  Then press your small squares in half so the points touch.  Press the rest of your 8 squares.

Place two of them on one square.  You can pin them if you want or just place them there.

Place your other pressed small squares on your 3 other red squares.  Now stitch on the pressed lines.

With your rotary cutter and ruler trim your corners so you have a 1/4 inch seam.

Press seams, I like to press mine open.  Continue with your other 3 blocks.

Here is your first block.  :)

 Stitch your block together

A little tip...if you pin your points it will help get them perfect.  :)

Continue stitching all your blocks like above until you have them all done.  Do half in an O shape and half in an X shape.

Layout all your blocks.

Then add your sashing.  Smaller ones are 2 X 9 1/2.  The longer ones are 2 X a little longer than the length of the row.  Then I trim it after.

Continue with your sashing and then add your border.  The large border is 4 1/2 inches wide.  Then all you have left is to sandwich, quilt and bind your quilt!  :)

Yippee!!  Wasn't that easy!!

For the quilting I did the dogwood pattern.  This was the first time I did a different free motion quilting pattern other than stippling.  I'm happy with how it turned out for my first time.  Definatley want to work at it and get better.

For the backing I used a pretty pink and aqua rose vintage sheet.  I think it was perfect for the quilt.

So you want to see a few of the pictures I took of the twins?  Another thing I really love is taking pictures of infants so I hope you don't mind me sharing.  They are so adorable and sweet!!  :)

Maybe in another post I'll show you a few more.  :)

I can't wait to see them again this week!!  I could sit and hold them all day long!

I hope you have a lovely Valentines week!!