This post is to celebrate the completion of my “Be My Valentine” quilt designed by Helen Allison which is featured in Pam and Nicky Lintott’s gorgeous Jelly Roll Inspirations book.
This is my second quilt (first one from a Jelly Roll!) and is made from Moda’s “Summer House” jelly roll by Lily Ashbury and some white multi-coloured polka dot spot background fabric.
To make the fabric cutting easier its a good idea to make yourself some plastic templates – it helps to label them too!
I think one of my favorite steps was choosing the 16 jelly strips for the hearts. Of the remaining 24 strips, one is used for the contrasting heart squares and the rest for the flowers and borders.
What’s nice about this quilt is that as its made of 16 heart panels (or blocks) you can see the design come to life very quickly. The cut pieces are lined up, strips stitched together and a heart is formed! It’s a good idea to pin the strips together at every seam or joint to get a good match. This gives you the chance to re-stitch your pieces together if your heart shape is out of line before it notices!
As the top and bottom 2 strips aren’t joined to the heart at this stage, pin the strips to your joined piece to keep them all together.
Once all the 16 heart panels are at the same stage, the jigsaw puzzle starts! It’s time to play with 300 two and a half inch squares to form the flowers.
Unless you are lucky enough to have a room where you can leave your quilt pieces laid out it’s a good idea to take lots of photos at this stage to help you remember where each piece needs to go!
Once your are happy with your layout, it’s time to finish off the heart panels. Before I joined my finished panels together I used a rotary cutter to square and get them all to the same size.
I was so excited when I managed to get to this stage!
I pinned the borders onto the main panel at the fabric intersections as it gave me the chance to spot (and hide!) my inaccuracies before they were stitched on.
The quilt layers go together a bit like a sandwich – the wadding / batting is the filling and backing fabric and top jelly roll front the slices of bread. Remember to leave the backing fabric and wadding bigger than the front until after quilting. I find temporary fabric spray adhesive or safety pins keep your layers together when quilting.
The quilt binding is made out of strips of cotton fabric which are sewn together to form a continuous length. To make my quilt edge lovely and thick I used a double layer of blinding. For a neat finish, the binding is sewn to the front of the quilt by machine, folded in half over the quilt edge and then attached to the backing fabric with small hand stitches. There are lots of free and excellent instructions on the web to show you how to do this and make perfect mitred corners.
My sewing machine was great for sewing in a speedy square quilting design.
My finished quilt!
thestitchsharer 
I really like the colors you have chosen for this sweetheart quilt. Who would be so brave after having only made one quilt before?!?!?!
Check the “page” called “Inside Out” on my blog. I finished that Attic Windows quilt in less than 30 years! That is right. It took me more than 29 years to get it done.
Am wanting to make this in lilac for my sister in laws wedding… Really caught my eye, then realised I have the book!! Thanks for the tips and inspiration… Never used a jelly roll before but have ordered one (fancy by moda) for another project! Can’t wait to get started on this though. X
That sounds beautiful – would love to see a photo when you have finished.x
what a beautiful design love it dearly .
Thank you. X
I just wanted to say thank you for all the really lovely comments about my Be My Valentine quilt pattern. It was fun to design and is great to see it being used.
Hi Helen, your quilt design is so gorgeous. It’s a total favourite and makes me smile each time I look at it. What are you working on at the moment?
Your enthusiasm jumps off the page & I love it! This is one of the prettiest quilts I’ve ever seen. I want to get started on this design immediately for my oldest granddaughter! I have the summer house jelly roll too. You know what they say about the most sincere form of flattery 🙂
Thank you so much. Your granddaughter will love the quilt. It’s my favourite one so far. Have fun making! X
What a wonderful quilt! I love it.
Best wishes
Marita from Germany
Thank you Marita. X
I found this quilt picture on pinterest and I love it! I’m going to go buy the book right now. Beautiful fabric choices and beautiful work!
Thank you so much. I’ve just brought a new jelly roll to make a friendship braid design. So excited!
What a beautiful quilt and interesting pattern. On the picture where you are trimming the edge what is the ruler called that you are using? It is black and lets you square up. Where did you purchase it?
Thanks
The ruler is a carpenters square and I brought it from my local DIY merchants. You can buy lighter ones for dressmaking / quilting which are a little more expensive. X
I just ordered the book!! I can’t wait to get it. I love hearts and this is so pretty. I will look great on my bed. Thanks for posting it. I found you via Pinterest.
Thank you so much. The designs in the book are so cute, hope you like them too. Have fun making your quilt, would love to see a photo of yours too. X
Beautiful quilt and really interesting blog. I will be following what you do 🙂
Thank you. I’ll be following you too – I love your posting variety.
Thank you so much 🙂
Hello, I have just found your wonderful blog and will definately be a frequent visitor. Oh my I think the heart quilt is stunning. What a wow factor. Well done! I loved the quilt and started it last year but struggled and so it is one of my ongoing projects. You have inspired me to have another go. Mine was made with the ‘Bliss’ fabric that I love. Thanks for a great blog.
It really is a fabulous quilt to make and worth finishing. Would love to see a photo of yours too. So glad you liked my blog. Thanks for visiting and your lovely comments.
Love that quilt! (pun intended)
Thanks for dropping by my blog and choosing to follow my posts. I am in visual heaven looking at your fantastic quilt. Wow just gorgeous . I think I might have to put one of these on my to do list.
Thank you for your lovely comment. I’ll keep popping back to your blog too as I think it’s fab. x
Georgeous sweetie as ever! Dead jealous xxx
What a great blog you have, so interesting and informative. I love this patchwork and you have the patience of a saint in finishing it, I certainly couldnt! All the best to you and I look forward to following your blog x Kate
Thank you so much.x
It looks fantastic – thanks so much for sharing. Love the jelly roll choice too- really gorgeous colours and good tip about taking photos to remember strip placements!
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. I’m glad you liked it – I will have to get started on my next one soon!
Very pretty. I have one of their books but haven’t made anything from it yet… One day!
Thank you. Will be lovely to hear what you make x
That is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to make one.
Totally agreee – it’s a great pattern. x