BlockHeads- ZEST

We were working on our Blockheads blocks back in December, which seems so long ago. I watched the Gringe with my grandkids many times over the holidays, and we often talked about having a big heart. I named the block ZEST for great enthusiasm and energy and, of course, a big heart.

Here is the link to the pattern download. But wait, there is more past the download!

This block is so simple that I had to play around with all kinds of options.
My 4″ block is half and half.

As I have done in my other blockheads’ posts, I have featured a few of my treasures. This week I am showing two pins, modalissa and Moda certified. But one of my favorite treasures is this pin that was in my stocking many years ago. That year, after all the gifts were open, bellies were full, and kids were down for naps, my mom brought out a huge sack for my sister and me.

Each item was individually wrapped and had a handwritten explanation about the history of the treasure. My sister and I spent the rest of the afternoon going through the makeshift stocking while mom told us all about the goods. This reminds me of how we all tell the stories about the meaning behind our quilts and the messages they leave behind.

I couldn’t help but incorporate my family into this quilt, combining 4 of the 4″ hearts to represent my three grandsons and one granddaughter.

To represent my four boys and one girl, I did the same but made them as 8″ blocks and will add this to my quilt somewhere. Every quilt tells a story, and mine would not be complete without adding these.

I was in the process of photographing these two blocks, and it gave me an idea!

I made a heart in a heart version combining the 4″ block and the 8″ block.

This is probably not the most efficient way to make this, but sometimes you just have to roll with it. Here are my notes to make your own.

Using the math from the blockheads 8″ Zest heart block, layout as shown above.

One ruler I am obsessed with is Simple Folded Corners by Antler Quilt Designs.

Cutting away the extra leaving seam allowances makes this process quick and accurate.

Here is half of the block. Join the two sides together.

When I told Doug I was going to be using his ruler, he graciously let me give away a few!!

So I have 3 of the mini Simple Folded Corners. Who wants one?

Leave a comment, and I will contact three winners directly for your shipping info.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the ZEST  block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

 

Modalissa

 

366 comments

  3. Denise Timothy says:

    I am so happy to have hearts to add to my quilt. This has been a month for family, both joy and trial. I am adding the hearts to my quilt to create a memory for my parents (87 and 94).

  6. karen dater says:

    I can’t wait to make this block. What a wonderful idea for your grandchildren and children. I’m seeing that in my future!

  8. Cindy Kokinda says:

    I love blocks that have meaning. Having just learned that my 4th grandchild is on his way, my four square will have two pink and two blue hearts. It’ll warm my heart every time I look at it. Your stories are great.

  9. Heather says:

    How I wish I could hear more stories about your stocking treasures! The best part of sewing are the stories stitched in between! And of course all the delightful notions we can collect from yesterday and today ! Thank you for creativity!

  11. Karen Iwanoczko says:

    I ❤ this block! It will be fun to play around with all the options. Thank you. I have heard a lot about the Simple Folded Corner ruler. I would ❤ to try one.

  15. Amy says:

    I love the idea of each heart representing family. I will be making a table runner for my mom with 5 hearts for her 5 grandkids.

  16. Miriam Sitterli says:

    I love Heart blocks, we can never have enough of them. Your designs and ideas are great. The ruler is for sure a nice helper for this task.

  21. Patti says:

    Love, love this block especially the heart in a heart. What a beautiful symbol for a mother’s love for her children and grandchildren.

  23. Wendy S Zick says:

    I love your variations! This will be a popular block. I see quite a few of us have already made a heart block, including me. Mine is a bit different but that’s ok. Thank you!

  27. Mary Jean Price says:

    I LOVE this block. This is a block I will use many times and not just in this quilt. The ruler would be a great timesaver.

  30. Sharon Jackson says:

    Thank you for this design. This is an adorable block! I love how many different ways it can be used to fill various spaces in a quilt. he ruler looks like a fantastic tool that would make the process so much easier.

  31. Patty Jones says:

    Cute block! Love the heart in a heart block, thank you SO much for the instructions for that as well. Would love to win one of the specialty rulers, thanks for the opportunity.

  32. Annette says:

    I love the simplicity of your heart block. We all put our hearts into our quilts. Thank you this will be a fun one to make❣️

  35. Jean Horne says:

    Love hearing all the history about your family. Quilting is new for me and my sister talked me into giving it a try and I am loving it. The heart block will me a lot to me and I will remember the story about this sweet heart square. Thank you.

  37. Nancy Brister says:

    Love the block, and the variety of sentiments. The variation of heart in heart is especially touching my heart. I am also intrigued by that ruler.

  38. Melissa Wood says:

    I love your story – and the photo of the thermometer! I’m sure if I rummage through keepsake boxes at home I can find the little key chain one that my grandpa got from a feed store back in the day. Thank you for sharing <3

  39. Christy Jutila says:

    Love it!!!!! I really like how simple it is, yet can easily become complicated depending on ideas. Also thinking this will make the perfect quilt label for a quilt I just finished.

  40. Betsy says:

    Thank you for the heart options and this incredible story…how wonderful to have those treasures! I would love Doug’s ruler!!

  41. Karen Smith says:

    Thanks so much for the heart pattern—it’s one that can be used in so many different blocks. And would love to win one of the rulers. It would be such a great help to a new quilter such as myself.

  47. Anna Lee says:

    I too, have four children and four grand children. I love putting hearts in a quilt and mine will live right next to my LOVE block. Thank you.

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