Love All Around TUTORIAL

Lately I’ve been feeling as though there’s a lot of negativity going around, from the election to world affairs to right here in our own quilting community. I decided to create a block called Love All Around. It’s all about coming from a place of love and kindness. Quilting brings me joy and I love sharing that with all of you! Let’s all try to take a second to send a note of support, offer a word of kindness, cheer for the underdog or offer a helping hand. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Or maybe keep thinking and find something nice to say!

This year, I’m going to make this block whenever I see kindness in my community! I want 2017 to be a year with Love All Around! I’m expecting to end the year with a sea of hearts...and an epic quilt. I've started spreading the love by asking a few of my stitchy friends to join in the fun!! I was more than a little overwhelmed when almost everyone said YES! The quilting world does love to spread love. The best part of sharing a tutorial is that everyone makes a unique block (and a few fun extra ideas!). Everyone will be posting today and through the weekend. Check out all the blocks:

Alex DuenkelAmy Ellis of Amy's Creative SideAmy Friend of During Quiet TimeAmy Shively of Amy by the ParkAmy Smart of Diary of a QuilterAmy Southerland of Amy SewsAngela Gubler of The Green ApricotAngela Pingel of Cut to PiecesAnneMarie Chany of GenX QuiltersAsha Patel Becky Jorgensen of Patchwork PosseChrissy Lux of Sew LuxCorey Yoder of Coriander QuiltsDebra Jalbert of Made of Honor QuiltsGina Allen of Ginabean Quilts & Trailer StashGinny RobinsonJen Kingwell of Jen Kingwell DesignsKaren Lewis of Karen Lewis TextilesKristen BallouLee Heinrich of Freshly PiecedLeslie Meltzer of 50 Sq Ft StudiosNicole Carroll of Fist Full of FabricSara Lawson of Sew SweetnessSarah HuechtemanSarah Lowry of Stitching & BaconStephanie Soebbing Quilt Addicts AnonymousTara Kordich of Amelia's GardenTessa Walker of The Sewing Chick Xandi Hamilton

Let's get started! Grab some scraps (or a dreamy stack of half yard cuts as I did!) and let's get started spreading some love!

Love All Around Block TutorialFinished size: 8" (Remember, this means it will be 8 1/2" when you're done making it and 8" once sewn into your quilt.)

Use a 1/4" seam throughout.

Supplies: Fabric A & Fabric B (hearts): One 6" square and four 2 3/4" squares of each. Fabric C (corners): Two 3 1/4" squares. Fabric D (background): Four 4 3/4 x 2 3/4" rectangles and two 3 1/4" squares. *All the pieces are oversized for trimming, so if you're a smidge short on fabric, it's okay!

Making the Hourglass Unit: Place the two 6" squares on top of one another. Cut in half diagonally. Make sure to align the 45° line along the bottom edge for a perfect cut.

Cut in half diagonally in the opposite direction as well.

You will only need two of each fabric opposite one another. Save the extra pieces for another block!

Stitch the triangles together in pairs as shown. Press to the darker fabric.

Align the seams and lock them together to stitch along the diagonal. Because you're stitching along bias edges, they can be stretchier. I pin each end and the two seam allowances in the middle.

Trim the hourglass unit to 4 1/2". I used my Bloc Loc ruler. Make certain that the center of the block where all four points meet is at 2 1/4" on your ruler. Also make certain that the 4 1/2" trim line will land where the two fabrics meet as shown by the pins in the picture.

If you don't have a bloc loc, your trimming will look like this. Use the 45° line (marked with washi tape) and make certain that the center points meet at the 2 1/4" mark (shown by the pin).

This is what you should have!

Making the Flying Geese Units: Put a piece of tape on your sewing machine showing the center needle line. Place a 2 3/4" square on a 4 3/4 x 2 3/4" rectangle. Align the top corner with the needle and the bottom of the corner with the tape edge. Stitch through the middle of the square diagonally keeping the bottom corner along the edge of the tape.

Repeat so that you have two with Fabric A and two with Fabric B.

Trim a 1/4" from the seam line. It just needs to be neat, not perfect! I use scissors, but you can also use a rotary. Press towards the dark.

Place a matching square on the other corner of each piece. Stitch through the center of the square as you did in the previous step.

Repeat for all four flying geese units. Press towards the dark.

You will have this.

Trim to 4 1/2 x 2 1/2". I used a Bloc Loc ruler.

If you don't have the Bloc Loc available, make sure to center the point and have the point be 1/4" from the edge as shown by the center pin. Use the 45° line on the ruler (marked with washi) to align the seam. Trim to 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" as shown by the outside pins.

Making the Half Square Triangles: Place a piece of tape along the 1/4" mark of your machine to extend the mark. Place a 3 1/4" square of Fabric C and Fabric D right side together. Align the top corner of the square with the edge of your 1/4" foot. Align the bottom corner of the squares with the edge of the tape. Stitch two lines each 1/4" from the center line.

Cut apart the triangles. Press towards Fabric D/Background.

Trim to 2 1/2".

Assemble the Block: Place all the units as shown.

Sew together as three rows of three units. As you stitch the flying geese unit, make certain that your 1/4" seam crosses right at the point of the flying geese unit.

The corner unit seam will lock with the flying geese unit seam as shown.

A pin is your friend.

Press the top and bottom rows towards the corners. Press the center row towards the hourglass unit. Stitch the rows together and press the seams towards the hourglass unit.

Spread the love!!

I'll be filling my year with lots of mementos of kindness. These blocks would also make a fun gift when you see a kind act or need to send a little love. Make them your own!!

xx LC