Place in My Heart Coasters

Inspired by: Place in My Heart from designer Monique Jacobs

Project tester: Martha Gamm

Finished size: 51⁄2" square

Finished block: 3" square

FOR FOUR COASTERS

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.

• 1⁄3 yard each of four assorted white prints (blocks, borders, backing, binding)
• 1⁄3 yard each of four assorted red prints (blocks, borders, backing, binding)
• 4 —9" square pieces batting

Cut pieces in the following order.

From each of two white prints, cut:

• 2—2" squares
• 2—1-1/2 ×5-1/2" rectangles
• 2—1-1/2 ×3-1/2" rectangles
• 4—1-1/4" squares

From each of remaining two white prints, cut:

• 2—2×3-1/2" rectangles

From leftover white prints, cut:

• 2—2-1/2 ×30" binding strips
• 2—9" backing squares

From each of two red prints, cut:

• 2—2" squares
• 2—1-1/2 ×5-1/2" rectangles
• 2—1-1/2 ×3-1/2" rectangles
• 4—1-1/4" squares

From each of remaining two red prints, cut:

• 2—2×3-1/2" rectangles

From leftover red prints, cut:

• 2—2-1/2 ×30" binding strips
• 2—9" backing squares

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seam toward darker fabric.

1) Gather 1-1/4" and 2" squares from one white print and 2 ×3-1/2" rectangles from one red print.

2) Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong side of white print 1-1/4" and 2" squares. (To prevent fabric from stretching as you draw lines, place 220-grit sandpaper under each square.)

3) Align a marked white print 1-1/4" square with top left-hand corner of a red print 2 ×3-1/2" rectangle (Diagram 1; note direction of marked line). Sew on marked line. Trim seam allowance to 1/4". Press open attached triangle. In the same manner, add a second marked white print 1-1/4" square to top right-hand corner of red print rectangle.

4) Align a marked white print 2" square with bottom edge of Step 3 red print rectangle (Diagram 2; note direction of marked line). Sew on marked line. Trim seam allowance to 1/4". Press open attached triangle to make a heart half unit. The unit still should be 2 ×3-1/2" including seam allowances.

5) Referring to Diagram 3 for orientation of marked white print 2" square, repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining Step 1 pieces to make a mirror-image heart half unit.

6) Join heart half units to make a red heart block (Diagram 4). The block should be 3-1/2" square including seam allowances.

7) Repeat steps 1–6 to make a second red heart block.

8) Repeat steps 1–6 using red print 1-1/4" and 2" squares and white print 2 ×3-1/2" rectangles to make two white heart blocks.

1) Referring to Coaster Assembly Diagram, sew matching white print 1-1/2 ×3-1/2" rectangles to opposite edges of a red heart block. Add matching white print 1-1/2 ×5-1/2" rectangles to remaining edges to make a red heart coaster top. Press seams toward rectangles. Repeat to make a second red heart coaster top.

2) Repeat Step 1 using red print 1-1/2 ×3-1/2" and 1-1/2 ×5-1/2" rectangles and white heart blocks to make two white heart coaster tops.

3) Layer each coaster top with batting and backing 9" squares; baste.

4) Quilt as desired. Quilt tester Martha Gamm quilted diagonal lines in both directions 1/2" apart across each coaster top.

5) Bind red heart coasters with red print binding strips and white heart coasters with white print binding strips.