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:
- Laurie Simpson
- Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique
- Stacy Iest Hsu
- Robin Pickens
- Janet Clare
- Jen Kingwell
- Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co.
- Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts
- Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life
- Betsy Chutchian
- Jan Patek
- Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic
- Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings
Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.
Enjoy,
Modalissa
So glad I didn’t finish my Love block yet! I’m adding some hearts in the border for a Valentine’s mini quilt wall hanging! Thanks Lissa!
What a great block. Thank you!
Love the heart in the heart block! Well done! Would love the ruler!
Love the heart to go with the Love block. So much love in this bh3!!
Why, you have a wonderful Giveaway !! I love Doug’s ingenious rulers! I really love your “ heart within” block, too. I hope I win!
I love all the variations on the heart block – thank you! Cant wait to get busy and make my block or blocks for my sampler quilt!
I can’t wait to make the heart block, and want to make four in one for my three grandsons and one granddaughter also!❤️ i’d love to be entered for the ruler as well!
I love all the versions (& stories) of the heart block. I could make a lap quilt of just the LOVE &. ♥️ blocks. Very comforting. Thanks also for the ruler suggestion. As a newbie it’s difficult to know what’s helpful beyond the basic quilting must-haves. Blessings.
Looking forward to doing the heart block.
Interested in the ruler mentioned above!
Oh! how I love all your heart blocks, especially the ones representing your four grandchildren. I too have three grandsons and one granddaughter! I really liked reading about your stocking treasures, how wonderful to have those memories! Thank you for all you do, love your books, and for a chance to win the mini simple folder corner ruler!
Carmen
Love this block and especially loved reading your post today and and ready to get started on this block. Thank you
Love the heart in a heart! Want to give it a try!
Love your block and how it is so versatile. The colors you picked for the 4-patch really sets it up. Would love to receive the small ruler if I’m lucky to get picked.
How fun! So many options with this “simple” block. Thank you! – Lisa
I am so looking forward to making this block multiple times. Thank you for sharing it.
I especially love the “heart in the heart” block! Looking at this block I think about love of parent for child; grandparent for grandchild…
Just woke up and had to see the new block! I am visiting Portland, OR, to see my son, DIL, and grandson! My wonderful DIL and I will work on the beautiful square today! Would love a new tool!
Thank you! After last week’s tough block, I was ready for something a bit simpler. I’m going to make the heart in a heart block too. Got to chase away these yucky winter day blues.
Love this block! Thanks for the opportunity to win this ruler!
love this block.
This block is adorable! I can see making a valentines table runner and placemats. Your idea for each grandchild/ child. I would do that and embroider their name inside the little heart inside the bigger heart.
Thanks for a sweet block!
Love this block. Can’t wait till I am home from work and can sit a sew it up tonight. Would love to win the ruler, too!
Beautiful! I’d love to win a ruler.
Love the block! Thank you!
I love your idea of adding the hearts to represent your children and grandchildren. I try to represent my family in a lot of my quilting too.
I love the idea of the hearts, one per grandchild with their name on it.
I love the idea of the hearts, one per grandchild with their name on it. Would look lovely on matching pillow cases
I love the grandchildren hearts. I think I love incorporating that idea into my quilt.
Can’t wait to make your adorable heart ♥️ block! I plan to make a whole wonderful variety of the sweet little “hearts”! Thank you.
Love to win the ruler (good toolset makes a difference).
I would love to win one of these as I have not seen them in the wild but have seen them used a lot in social media! Interesting tool to add to the tool box
Love the hearts! Doug’s ruler seems like a handy tool. I also enjoy his patterns.
I will try the Heart in a Heart version. This is a really nice block. The heart in a heart will represent my heart and my husband’s. Beating as one for almost 50 years.
I made 4 6 inches blocks! They are nice but I think I will not sew them todether. I will try to mix them with other 6 inches blocks and place in 4 different corners of quilt.
I love this block! Thank you.
Very cute block!
Very Cute Block! Thanks
Your block is wonderful, and the second heart inset into the larger block is fabulous.
I noted at the end of the text that you may have rulers to gift, and would love to put my name in your hat. Thank you for your work for all us blockheads.
Love the heart in a heart . Very clever! That thermometer is very interesting. I think some of the old objects are fascinating. It’s great that the written information is put with it as the younger generations wouldn’t know what they were used for. Thanks for sharing.
I love the heart block! I think the heart within a heart is so cute!
thank you for the block
I love your heart block. Looking forward to sewing a quick and easy block, or 2 or 3.
This is a perfect block for Valentines day placemats for the grandkids. I have the large size folded corners ruler and love it. I’m sure the smaller version would be perfect for the 4 inch blocks.
Sounds like you have a wonderful mama!
Doug Leko’s ruler has been on my wish list for a while now. Thanks for the fun block and variations!
Love the heart inside the heart!
Your block is absolutely perfect to represent where I am today! Today is our 38th wedding anniversary so you heat is symbolic for that. Additionally, my husband is recuperating from recent bypass surgery that saved his life! Here’s to a future of love. Thank you for your meaningful design!
Love this block! Can’t wait to sew some up! Thanks for such a cute pattern ❤️
I love hearts anything. This one is so cute. Can not wait to do it. Hope I am a winner of the ruler.
I love the heart in a heart!
And Doug’s ruler is the best! I could really use the mini one.
OMG, I have been eyeing this ruler for the longest! Such a sweet sweet block! Thank you!
When I first saw your block, I thought, oh that would look cute with 4 in one block. Then you showed it later in the article. I’m going to do that.