Heart Crossed Throw Free Quilt Pattern

I'm happy to share my first tutorial of 2017 with you today, for this sweet Heart Crossed Quilt! I made my quilt in a little over a week, so there's still time to make a pink one before Valentine's Day. Just sayin'.


Back in 2013, I made a wonky cross quilt to promote my Nordika fabric collection at quilt market. I had very little fabric when I designed this quilt, and was trying to maximize what I had. It is one of my favorite quilts I made from this collection.

Fast forward to last month when I was planning another monochromatic quilt. I really enjoyed making my all blue woven quilt, and knew it was time to tackle the next color. I quickly landed on pink based on my stash level. Jacey encouraged me to try to finish it before Valentine's Day. I decided to go for it, and I finished it up late last month.


The construction for both quilts was the same, it's just hard to tell in the photo of the original. In my new scrappier version, the pieced background is much more obvious. If you decide to use a single background fabric (you'd need 3 yards, cut into 5"xWOF strips, then cut into 168 squares), it will give your quilt some interesting texture. It's much easier than arranging your blocks and cutting all different sized background pieces. Once the blocks are made, it's simple patchwork piecing.

This quilt tutorial is written to take advantage of fat quarters or charm packs for the background, and fat eighths or a honey bun for the crosses. There are also piece totals included for working from scraps. The crosses would be a perfect opportunity to use up something precious, since they take such little yardage. You could of course make yours up in any colors you'd like, it doesn't have to be pink or monochromatic!


Sewing Level: Confident Beginner
Finished size: 54"x63"

Materials:
- 14 fat quarters of background fabric (light pink)*
- 8 fat eighths of cross fabric (dark pink)*
- 3 1/2 yards of backing fabric
- 62"x71" piece of batting
- 1/2 yard of binding fabric
- Coordinating thread

*Alternative: use 4-5 Charm Packs (168 total squares) for background, and 1 Honey Bun for crosses.

Looking for supplies? Check out my Pattern Supplies and Resources post.

Notes:
Width of Fabric (WOF) = 42" assumed
Fat Quarter =  18"x21"

If cutting from yardage:
From each light pink background fat quarter:
- Cut (3) 5"x21" strips
- Cut each strip into (4) 5" squares for a total of 12 squares per fat quarter

From each dark pink cross fat eighth:
- Cut (1) 6.5"x21" strip
- Cut strip into (14) 1.5"x6.5" strips

If cutting from scraps:
From light pink background fabric:
- Cut (168) 5" squares

From dark pink cross fabric:
- Cut (56) pairs of 1.5"x6.5" strips for a total of 112 strips

Instructions:
*Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.*


1. Each block is made with one 5" background square and two matching 1.5"x6.5" cross strips.


2. Start by making an angled cut across the 5" square.



3. Sew a 1.5" strip between the two square halves. Press seams towards the background fabric.


4. Make a second angled cut across the newly pieced block.




5. Sew a 1.5" strip between the two block halves. After sewing the strip to one block half, arrange the second half along the other side of the strip. It can be weird to get it lined up with the other half of the block, so flip it up and adjust the position to get it lined up properly. Press seams towards the cross fabric. (Not all of my blocks line up perfectly, but I'm okay with that.)



6. Trim block to 5" square. Repeat steps 1-5 to make 56 cross blocks.

Optional: I'd recommend stay-stitching around each block with an 1/8" seam allowance. The trimming will have chopped off any backstitching you may have done. Or, stay-stitch around your finished quilt top before quilting.


 7. Arrange cross blocks and remaining background squares into 14 rows of 12 squares each. Sew squares together in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction every other row.

8. Sew rows together, press seams in one direction.

9. Basting: Using masking or painter’s tape, tape the backing to a clean, hard surface, right side down. Spread out batting on top of the backing, smoothing out any wrinkles. Carefully spread your quilt top on top of the batting, right side up. You now have a quilt sandwich. Starting in the center of your quilt sandwich, place your first pin, making sure to catch all three layers. Continue to place pins every few inches, securing the layers together.


10. Quilting: Quilt as desired, by machine or by hand. Trim away excess batting and backing fabric.


11. Binding: Trim off selvedges and sew your binding strips together to form one long strip, press seams open. Fold in half lengthwise, pressing with your iron as you fold. Attach binding using your preferred method. For a detailed tutorial on attaching your binding to both sides by machine, see here.


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! I have lots of other tutorials for everything from quilts, pillows, bags, and holiday items to informational series and techniques. Find all my tutorials here: Tutorials. My online shop is filled with patterns for quilts and bags. Find my patterns here: Jeni Baker Patterns

Tag me @jenib320 and use my hashtag #jenibaker on instagram if you make something from this tutorial!


Check out these other free tutorials featuring pluses:

Modern Plus Quilt Tutorial

Abundance Free Quilt Pattern

Modern Plus Pillow Tutorial

Happy Quilting!