Nothing but Love Quilt Along - Admiration

Apr 25, 20225 min read

Updated: Aug 1, 2022

Oh boy! We are moving right along with the foundation paper piecing blocks for my Nothing but Love Quilt Along! Are you loving all your pretty, pretty heart blocks?

Block #8 is Admiration - which aside from the meaning that you really like something, means that the certain something is also worthy of your respect. Well after completing this FPP block you will be the admiration of your quilters' circle. This block is a variation of the classic Card Trick block. Usually, this block is pieced traditionally with many carefully cut triangle pieces, but with the additional outlining piece; I decided it would be easier and more precise to make it with foundation paper piecing.

Leveling Up Your FPP

This block ups your skill level with 10 patches that can be colored very simply or more complex. So, I made the template color coded this time to help with your fabric placement - this is supposed to be fun, not hurt your brain!

The first block, Adoration, was an introduction to FPP with four of the same patch repeated and put together with three simple seams and no matching. You learned the process of sewing fabric to paper, fabric placement to cover the seams, and the "piecing by number" strategy.

The second block, Inspiration, used seven different patches put together in matching pairs usually. It improved your color placement choices, fabric placement, covering double seams, and seam matching skills.

This third block is almost a nine patch (LOL), the center is pieced in two sections, but the corner patches are the same and the middle patches are the same. Each patch just takes a few seams to complete, so it comes together surprisingly quick. These patches can be chain pieced if you like as well. The increase in your skill level is due to the increased number of seams to match and also with your fabric choices. But rest assured I've got you covered with specifically numbered patches to aid with nesting the seams in most cases and the color-coded templates. Let's check it out!

The Block Pattern

These 4 cute hearts are nestled together cozily. This mock-up block shows Admiration in its simplest version: 1 fabric for the hearts, 1 fabric for the outlines, and 1 fabric for the background.

In my red and white version, I got as complex as possible with a different fabric for each heart, a different fabric for each outline, and the same background fabric.

Whereas in my new version using spring pastels (mostly from Riley Blake's "Adel in Spring" by Sandy Gervais) I went for a happy medium: 2 fabrics for the hearts and the same fabric for the outlines and the background. You can also see I reversed the color placement and made my background be the color and the outlines be white.

So look at your fabrics and choose your own quilting adventure with mixing and matching your hearts and outlines and backgrounds. Have FUN with it!!

Ready to make yours? Here is the downloadable pattern for Block 8 -Admiration and its templates (updated 7/23/22):

Make sure print "Actual Size" or 100% on the templates. If you have any questions or issues with downloading please ask here or on the contact page.

Making the Admiration Block - Tips and Tutorials

Cut all the pieces out according to your fabric placement decision: background squares sub-cut into diagonal halves and quarters, outline strips in two sizes, and heart squares of two sizes sub-cut in half diagonally.

Print, cut, and lay out your templates (in reverse alphabetical order). Then lay your fabrics on top in their designated spots and verify your fabric placement. The color coding of the templates are VERY important! The colors need to touch and look like the photo below (all the letters should read right side up). Write a reminder on each template so you know which fabric goes on which color if needed /desired.

**Ignore the weird black line that skewers some of the pieces, the computer can't figure out the seam line, but humans can!

Now let's sew! I prefer to do all 4 corner patches at the same time, then all 4 middle patches, then the 2 center patches.

For the corner patches there are only two seams, so my tip is make sure you cover your seams, but not too generously. Here is a quick video showing the steps - always sew, press, trim your seam if needed, then repeat for the next piece.

On to the "middle" patches - these have the most pieces and seams, but follow the numbers and it's not difficult at all! For the top half there are three pieces, please make sure that you cover both seams. Tip - Fold the paper on both the vertical and horizontal seam to check your fabric placement, and use pins to hold in place. See me make one here:

For the center, these are the smallest patches but are a little dense with 4 pieces of fabric on each. When you are done making both give them a final press, trim them on the dotted line, and sew them together to make your complete center patch. Tip: you should be able to feel the fabrics nest, but as long as you match your paper edges up, they should match perfectly. Here's a short video to illustrate:

Now it's time to press and trim each patch and put them together! Press the final seams open and remove the paper = Finished!!

I'd love to hear about your progress, questions, and feelings about foundation paper-piecing! Please leave me a comment below.

You can also share the fun on social media, Instagram or Facebook. Don't forget to use the hashtags #nothingbutloveQAL #affectionblk or tag me @polkadotpeepquiltsetc so I can see!

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

You can also sign up and join my community on Wix (or the Wix Spaces app). Then you'll get notified with each new post!

Next week I will be discussing and demonstrating a quilting technique I call the FRACTURED SPIRAL quilting motif. I hope you check it out.

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