Tara Wright
- Jun 20, 2022
- 4 min read

Nothing but Love Quilt Along - Cherish

Hi quilty friends! Say hello to the Cherish block! This block is one of my favorites!!

For Block 12 I give you a loved up shoo-fly block. A classic block which I love to make.

We are using the stitch and flip technique to make the hearts and traditional piecing to put together this uneven nine-patch style of shoo-fly. You can see in both versions I have made for this quilt-along that I used the same colors but different fabric patterns for each corner.

The Block Pattern

In the original red and white version I switched the colors around and used my usual color (red) to be the background. In the second Spring rainbow version, I used my regular background cream to make this block more traditional. It can be fun and interesting to use your color fabric or even your patterned fabric as the background for this block.

Since I used the same colors but differing patterns for each corner, I created balance for my block by putting similar patterns across (diagonal) from each other. For example, denser patterns (red stripe/floral), geometric patterns (green check/pineapple lines), dotty patterns (red dots/bees), and roundish patterns (green lace/kiwi slices). If you are going to try mixing up patterns, try evaluating their style in this way to create balance if you like. Of course, you can make the corners and then move them around until the patterns are pleasing to your eye.

Ready to finish up the third quarter of this quilt-along? Click on the file below to download the pattern for Block 12 - Cherish:

Cherish Quilt Block Pattern

.pdf

Download PDF • 940KB

If you have any questions or issues with downloading please ask here or on the contact page.

Making the Cherish Block - Tips and Tutorial

You can see that I cut out all my pieces and organized them in my usual way (refer to the diagram and cutting chart in the pattern).

If you are prepping your blocks ahead of time because you are busy or travelling a lot this summer, you can prep your blocks and put them in a resealable plastic bag to keep them organized until you are ready to sew.

Also don't forget if you have any linear patterns decide if you want them to go the same direction, you need to cut them correctly.

These corner hearts are similar to some of the ones we have made in other blocks like Faithful, Besotted, and Joyful. But I wanted you to have more options for making hearts plus add variety to this quilt, so I added a little stich and flip to amp up the cute heart factor!

So mark the diagonal lines on your corner pieces (A), lay out your two heart pieces (B & C), and place your corners in their stitching position. Make sure your patterns are going in the right direction and that the marked corner lines go across the corners. Then stitch them in place, fold the corner over and press , trim off excess underneath, and press the seam open on both corners. See below:

Once the two heart halves are made, lay them out with the corner piece (D) as shown below. Then sew the two short pieces (B & D) together, and press the seam open.

Finally sew the long piece (C) onto the correct side to complete the heart.

Repeat to make all 4 corner heart patches.

To complete this block, lay out the 4 heart patches giving each one a turn from previous position (so that the points are all toward the center).

Place your middle strips and center square in position and then sew your rows together:

1) Heart corner - strip - Heart corner

2) Strip - center square - Strip

3) Heart corner - strip - Heart corner

Press the seams for each row toward the strip(s).

Then nest the seams together while sewing the rows together to finish your block. I like to press these two final seams open.

Yay - you're finished!! It is SO pretty!!

Layer your block with the batting and backing, baste, and get ready to quilt!

Don't forget that it is so much more fun when you share your progress on the blog, Instagram, or Facebook. Don't forget to use the hashtags #nothingbutloveQAL #cherishblock or tag me @polkadotpeepquiltsetc

There are link buttons to my Instagram and Facebook on my website.

You can also sign up and join my community here on Wix by hitting the log in button.

Next week is the quilting design for this block. Stay tuned...it will be another free-motion motif!

Here is the quilt along schedule (with links for you to catch up anytime):

Nothing but Love Schedule

December 20, 2021 - Quilt Along Intro & Details

Ring in the New Year with Nothing but Love (polkadotpeep.com)

January 10, 2022 – Get Ready: Prep the Fabrics & Batting

Let's Get Prepped for Nothing but Love (polkadotpeep.com)

January 17 – Affection

Nothing but Love Quilt Along - Affection (polkadotpeep.com)

January 31 – Refuge