How do you finish up this tiny heart quilt block?
Well, I finished up the same way I finish most of quilt blocks, by quilting and binding them!
This post is all about the quilting and binding. If you are interested in learning how to sew the block itself, head to the part 1 tutorial, which can be found by clicking here.
If you want to finish this block by quilting and binding, you will need backing, binding and batting. I used a backing and batting that were both about 4 inches square (something a little smaller or larger should be fine) and a binding that was 2.5 inches by about 12 inches (it started off as 14, but I cut a few inches off!).
The first thing you need to do is quilt it. Layer your backing fabric WRONG side up, and then your batting, and then your block RIGHT side up. You'll want to secure them all together (I only needed one safety pin).
I like to quilt with a "stitch in the ditch" method, which means that I sew right in between the seam of the pink and purple. I use a thread color that matches my backing fabric (which in this case was pink), and also one of the two fabrics (with this block, the pink). That way even if I miss the seam a little, it doesn't really show.
Once it's all quilted, I attach the binding. I realized after I was done making this block that I do not have pictures of the binding process, so that will be the subject of an upcoming blog post (I'll link it here when it's done).
However, if you've ever attached a binding before, it's basically the same process, except a lot smaller! Fold the binding in half, wrong sides together, match up raw edges, and attach it with a quarter inch seam allowance. This block is so small that you can't even see it once the binding is attached!
Once the binding is attached, you will
fold it to the back. I like to use clips to hold the binding in place. I'm also pretty careful about making sure the binding covers the stitching in the back. It's wide enough to do that. Then, I just use the stitch in the ditch method again, sewing from the front. This ends up being right where I attached the binding, and since I covered the stitching line in the back, it secures the binding in the back!
And then it's finished! And so cute and little!
If you make a tiny heart block, I'd love to see it! Please post a picture in the comments!
If you'd like to see some of the bigger block patterns I have, check out my Etsy shop by clicking here.
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