Heart Flag Applique

heart applique / flag applique

clothing, hot pad, quilt block, tote bag

originally on our previous site: CraftAndFabricLinks.com

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Also see:
Notes From The Workroom & Trail
Kitchen
Valentine's Day
Kitchen Sink Cabinet Make-over

HEART OR FLAG

I created stripes, using the strip quilt method, then created a flag block out of my new “striped fabric.” I used the block on my child’s shirt.

I created another block, and cut it to a heart shape and created a hot pad.

See below for directions for both projects.

Go to: Free Quilt Lessons page 6 to see the strip quilt method of sewing strips of fabric together to create an intricate block.

You could use this heart applique or flag applique for other items as well. Use for clothing, tote bags, pillow front, quilt block, hot pad, or any other item you wish to embellish. Fourth of July Independence Day, or Valentine’s Day. Change fabrics and colors to create entirely different moods, and to suit any occasion.

Heart Applique

I am supplying directions and supplies for creating a heart applique hot pad.

The finished heart applique measures approximately 8.5" tall and 8.5" wide. It will fit onto a quilt block measuring 8.5" square, set on the diagonal. The block could then be used to make a quilt block, hot pad or other item. The heart applique could also be used alone - appliqued directly onto a tee shirt or other item.

Heart Applique Size

The finished heart applique measures approximately 8.5" tall and 8.5" wide. It will fit onto a quilt block measuring 8.5" square, set on the diagonal. The block could then be used to make a quilt block, hot pad or other item. The heart applique could also be used alone - appliqued directly onto a tee shirt or other item.

Fusible Web

This project uses Fusible Web. This is iron-on adhesive. I use it to adhere my appliques to fabric. Visit my Amazon store page to purchase fusible web, fusible fleece, insul-bright, heat resistant cloth, quilting pins, and other items I use in my projects.

SUPPLIES - flag heart hot pad

Adjust amounts for your project - these amounts were for my heart project.

Project Supplies

One 4.5" wide x 4.25" high piece of white star fabric with blue background 

One piece of red fabric measuring 3.75" x 4.5" 

One piece of red fabric measuring 2.5" x 8.5" 

One piece of white fabric measuring 2.5" x 4.5" 

One piece of white fabric measuring 3.75" x 8.5" 

One piece of backing fabric measuring 8.5" x 8.5" 

Optional: One piece of fusible web measuring 8.5" x 8.5
heart pattern (see step 1 below)

NOTE: If you are making a hot pad you will also need an 8.5" square each of insul-bright, cotton batting, front fabric ( the blue/red/white checked fabric shown in my photo) and back fabric, plus a strip of bias binding. See below for hot pad instructions. 

General Sewing Supplies

thread

sewing scissors

quilting pins

large sewing ruler

fabric marking pencils

seam ripper

rotary cutter and mat (optional but nice)

Safety Reminders For Little Helpers

A. Always have an adult do all the ironing!
B. Never run with scissors. Carry them pointed end down.
C. Never use a sewing machine without adult supervision.
D. Always let an adult use the seam ripper for you.

Now you are ready to start!

Please Note: These diagrams are not exactly to scale, but pattern pieces do fit as shown.

DIRECTIONS - create “flag fabric”

use 1/4" seam allowance

Iron between each step. Read through all directions completely before beginning.

1. Print Heart Pattern

My heart pattern is available as a pdf file. Enlarge or shrink per your needs.

Heart Pattern (note: the pattern has the name CraftAndFabricLinks.com - that is my previous site)

NOTE: The heart should be 5.5" from tip to deepest part of heart indent at the top (as marked on the pattern). If your heart is not this size, the jpg was not printed to 100% size. If you have problems with sizing, print the pattern, then copy - enlarge or shrink to fit your needs. 5.5” fits onto my block’s size.

2. Create Red / White Striped Short Block

Cut the 3.75" x 4.5" red fabric into 3 strips, each measuring 1.25" x 4.5". 

Cut the 2.5" x 4.5" white fabric into 2 strips, each measuring 1.25" x 4.5". 

Stitch the strips together to form a red/white fabric. The red/white block should measure 4.5" wide x 4.25" high.

red white stripe fabric

3. Attach The Star Fabric (create upper part of block)

Stitch the red/white fabric block to the star fabric, right sides together. Press seams.

NOTE: The diagram is not exactly to scale, but the heart will go together as shown

top half heart quilt block

4. Create Lower Section

Cut the 2.5" x 8.5" red fabric into 2 strips, each measuring 1.25" x 8.5".

Cut the 2.5" x 8.5" white fabric into 2 strips, each measuring 1.25" x 8.5".

Stitch the red / white strips together to form a red/white fabric. The red/white block should measure 8.5" wide x 4.25" high.

5. Stitch The Heart Fabric Blocks Together (complete the “flag)

Stitch the red/white long block to the upper stars / stripes block.

The finished block measures 8½" wide x 7¾" high.

completed block for flag heart

6. Create Heart Applique

Place heart pattern piece on your block so that the vertical center of the heart lines up with the vertical center of the fabric block (the line between the star fabric and the striped fabric on the top runs down the center of the heart).

place heart pattern on fabric

Finished Applique

Use the heart pattern to cut a piece of backing. Stitch the heart block to the backing right sides together, leaving 3" open along one straight edge of the heart (edges are straighter on the lower end of the heart). Trim seams. Turn right side out. Press. You now have a finished heart applique to attach to your quilt block, tote, clothing etc.

TO ATTACH APPLIQUE:
Use fusible web or stitching to attach the applique to your item (tote, sweatshirt, etc). See my note above "supplies".

DIRECTIONS - make hot pad

All seams are 1/4”

If you wish to use your new applique to create a hot pad, cut two pieces of outer fabric, each 8.5" x 8.5" (or one piece backing fabric and one piece top, decorative fabric). Cut a piece of cotton batting and insul-bright, each 8.5" x 8.5". Cut a strip of binding 1.25" wide and long enough to go all the way around the hot pad, plus approximately 3.5" extra to create a "hanger".

I used a large sewing ruler to line up the applique on the top fabric. I set it on the diagonal so I could attach a hanger to the upper corner. Pin the heart applique into place. If you are creating a quilt block, you would probably not set it on the diagonal. It’s up to you.

center the heart applique

If you are using fusible web to attach the heart applique into place, do so at this time. Fuse the heart applique to the fabric. Place a layer of stabilizer under the layer with the applique. Machine baste around the heart (if it is not fused into place already). Use a satin stitch and applique foot to stitch all the way around the heart.

stitch applique to fabric layer

For binding instructions, go to:  Assemble and Bind A Quilt.  Press under the edges of the "tail" to create the hanger. Twist around the hanger end to create a loop and hand stitch the loop end to the back of the hot pad.

attach hanger to hot pad

FLAG APPLIQUE FOR SHIRT

Flag Applique Size

The finished flag applique measures approximately 6.5" tall and 9" wide. Each stripe equals 1/2". Change measurements to fit your needs.

SUPPLIES

Project Supplies

4 strips of red fabric, each measuring 4.75" long by 1" wide 

3 strips of red fabric, each measuring 9" long by 1" wide 

3 strips white fabrc, each measuring 4.75" long by 1" wide  

3 strips of white fabric, each measuring 9" long by 1" wide

One rectangle of blue fabric with white stars, measuring 4" high by 5" wide 

Optional: One piece of fusible web measuring 9" x 6"

NOTE: When finished stitching it all together, you will be trimming the flag to be 9" wide by 6" high

General Supplies: see supplies for heart applique

Seams are all 1/4”

Stitch all pieces right sides together. Press seams after each step. PREWASH AND DRY ALL FABRICS.

DIRECTIONS - flag for shirt

The flag is created in the same way that the “flag” was created for the heart block. The fabric pieces are a different length.

Create the top of the block by stitching the shorter red / white strips together, then stitching that piece to the stars fabric.

Create the lower section by stitching the longer red / white strips together.

Then stitch the top piece to the lower piece.

flag appliqued shirt

Sewing Lessons

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