Sunday, March 2, 2025

Log Cabin Hearts

For those of you who don't read my midweek posts, I'm piecing a quilt for granddaughter Joanna, Log Cabin Hearts. This is an older pattern designed by Esther Hershberger back in 1996.

Of course I'm changing the pattern, I'm making my quilt with 16 hearts and the quilt will be square. I'm also not going to add those wide borders the pattern calls for.

All the log cabin blocks for the hearts are pieced, I showed you those last week. Now I'm in the process of appliqueing the hearts.

I showed you last week how I stayed stitched around the edge of the hearts before cutting off the excess log cabin.

The flowered teal fabric is leftover from Teal Stars, the rest of those fabrics are from my stash. 

I left the freezer paper in to add stability while appliqueing the heart. I'm using a dark gray thread for the stitching.

After the block is appliqued, I cut the background fabric away. Not everyone does this but there is the possibility I might hand quilt this quilt.  I don't want to quilt through an extra layer of fabric. 

Then I just pull the freezer paper off the backside and iron it onto another block and start the process over again.


The background fabric for the hearts is 14.5" unfinished.

I have a friend who has made several quilts from this pattern. She doesn't hand applique the blocks, she sews lightweight fusible interfacing to the right side of the heart, cuts a slit in the fusible and turns the heart to the right side. Then she irons the heart onto the background fabric and finishes piecing the quilt. Then she invites the neighbor ladies to come help hand quilt this quilt. The fusible method hand stitches extremely hard! I don't know if it makes a difference for machine quilting.

The background fabric is a very faint light blue batik. There was a pale teal batik that I considered but it had blotches of yellow in it and I didn't like that. This blue blends wll with the teal fabrics.

These heart blocks applique much faster than the Elegant Garden blocks do. Hopefully I will have these blocks all appliqued by next Sunday.

Finally my amaryllis have started blooming! It's so nice to have some color.

Linking to Patchwork & Quilts, Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Craftastic Monday, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, To Do Tuesday

8 comments:

Linda said...

Your log cabin hearts are so unique and pretty! I have made a couple applique blocks using your friend's method but have not reached the point of quilting. It will be interesting to see if it is more difficult.

Kate said...

Very pretty! Applique just isn't my thing to make, but I love to see the creations of those that do enjoy it.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I agree that these hearts are gorgeous, Gretchen! I always trim away the backing just to lighten the load and make it easier for hand quilting. I've never tried the fusible stuff but it does sound interesting. Happy Stitching from me!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Those log cabin hearts are sure pretty! I can't imagine hand quilting a fused applique! Machine quilting generally isn't a problem although sometimes the fusible gums the needle. A little rubbing alcohol easily takes care of the buildup.

Kim said...

I don't think I've seen log cabins hearts before. I know, I don't get out much. =) Yours are beautiful, Gretchen. I love the idea of neighbours coming together and helping to hand quilt a quilt.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love your heart block, very pretty and clever way to appliqué it. Thank you for sharing your technique, and linking up!

Jenny said...

Very pretty indeed

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Such a beautiful block.It is so interesting to hear how you are making the blocks. I sometimes trim the backing and sometimes not, but it does make it a lot easier for hand quilting to trim it. Enjoy your day. Hugs.