Valentine Wall Hanging with Cupid Embroidery

This is a cute mini-wall hanging that's great to put up around the house for St. Valentine's.

The quilt features the embroidery design of Cupid for the large (5"x 7") hoop.

Click to enlarge

The finished size of this square quilt is about 18" x 18".

For the central part, we used 1 fat quarter of red batik and 1 fat quarter of patterned fabric. For the borders and binding, we used about 1/4 yard of beige fabric. You'll also need a piece of batting, and backing.

For the borders, out of beige fabric, cut 2 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" and 2 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 18". For the binding, cut 2 strips 2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric.

Out of patterned fabric, cut a strip measuring 3 1/2" x 14"; subcut the strip into 4 squares measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". Cut 2 squares measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".

Out of red batik, cut a strip measuring 3 1/2" x 13"; subcut it into two rectangles measuring 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". Cut a rectangle measuring 9 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Step One: Position one of the patterned 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares in the lower right corner of the 9 1/2" x 12 1/2" batik rectangle. Align the right and bottom edges. Sew along the diagonal as shown in the diagram below. Cut, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Unfold the corner and press.

Repeat with the lower left corner.

Step Two: For the upper part of the heart, you will need 2 flying geese units.
To make a flying geese unit, take a 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" red batik rectangle and two pattened 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares. Place one of the squares on one end of the rectangle, draw a diagonal and sew over it. Trim the excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam, unfold the light triangle and press again. Repeat with the second square on the other side of the rectangle.

Step Three: Sew both flying geese units into a strip. Press the seam open.

Step Four: Sew the strip to the upper edge of the heart.

Step Five: Attach the left and the right borders.

Step Six: Attach the upper and the lower borders.

Stabilize the white rectangle with iron-on cut-away stabilizer. Make the embroidery. Cut away the excess stabilizer.

You can also use polyester craft felt instead of the stabilizer. In this case, we recommend to baste the quilt top to the felt in the ditch along the colored units. After the embroidery is finished, rip the baste and cut away the excess felt around the embroidery.

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted along the lines of the embroidery and made stippling all over the quilt.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.

The quilt is done. Enjoy!