A heart quilt block is a lovely way to turn leftover fabric into something meaningful, and this Scrappy Heart Block from Heather Givans of Crimson Tate is especially well suited to a colorful scrap basket.
The finished block measures 14 inches square and combines small patchwork squares with Half-Square Triangles to create a large, pixel-style heart.
What makes this tutorial particularly interesting is the construction method: the individual squares are first arranged on lightweight fusible interfacing, helping keep a large grid of small pieces organized before the rows and columns are sewn together.
Below you’ll find an overview of the block, fabric-planning ideas, Half-Square Triangle tips, advice for working with interfacing, common mistakes to avoid, and a direct link to Heather Givans’ original free tutorial.
Scrappy Heart Block at a Glance
| Block | Scrappy Heart Block |
| Designer / Tutorial Author | Heather Givans / Crimson Tate |
| Finished Block Size | 14" square |
| Main Techniques | Patchwork grid, Half-Square Triangles, chain piecing, fusible interfacing |
| Main Fabrics | Assorted red and light/white scraps |
| Interfacing | Lightweight fusible interfacing |
| Scrap Friendly | Yes — highly scrap friendly |
| Suggested Skill Level | Confident beginner and up |
| Source Format | Free online tutorial |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
What Is the Scrappy Heart Quilt Block?
The Scrappy Heart Block is a patchwork design made from a grid of small red and light-colored fabric squares.
Half-Square Triangle units shape the curved-looking upper corners and lower point of the heart, while ordinary squares fill the rest of the pixel-style design.
The result is a bold heart motif that looks especially attractive when many different scraps are used instead of just one red and one background fabric.
Why This Block Is Perfect for Fabric Scraps
Heather Givans designed the project specifically with the scrap bin in mind.
Rather than trying to make every red square match, the tutorial encourages variety.
Using different prints gives the heart more visual texture and makes even tiny leftover pieces useful.
The original tutorial suggests using several different reds and several different whites or low-volume fabrics to create strong contrast.
Good Fabrics for the Heart
- red floral scraps,
- burgundy prints,
- pink and coral fabrics,
- red polka dots,
- small geometric prints,
- or a completely rainbow scrappy palette.
Good Background Fabrics
- white-on-white prints,
- cream low-volume fabrics,
- small text prints,
- light gray,
- or soft neutral scraps.
Why Contrast Matters
Because the heart is built from many small squares, the overall shape depends more on value contrast than on individual prints.
If your heart fabrics and background fabrics are too similar in value, the outline can become difficult to see.
Before sewing, step back from your layout or take a quick black-and-white photo with your phone.
If the heart remains clearly visible without color, your contrast is probably strong enough.
The Half-Square Triangles Shape the Heart
Several Half-Square Triangle units are used to create the angled portions of the heart.
These units are small, so trimming them accurately before building the final grid will make the block much easier to assemble.
If you would like extra help with this technique, see our Half-Square Triangle Tips for guidance on marking, chain piecing, pressing, trimming, and improving point accuracy.
Why the Tutorial Uses Fusible Interfacing
A large grid made from dozens of individual squares can become difficult to keep organized.
The original Crimson Tate technique solves this problem by arranging the patchwork pieces on lightweight fusible interfacing.
Once the layout is correct, the squares can be lightly fused in place. This keeps the entire design organized while the horizontal and vertical seams are sewn.
It is a clever alternative to picking up each individual square from a design board and trying to remember exactly where it belongs.
How the Scrappy Heart Construction Works
At a high level, the original method can be understood in several stages:
- Select a variety of contrasting heart and background scraps.
- Make and trim the Half-Square Triangle units.
- Arrange the squares and HSTs into the complete heart design.
- Position the pieces on lightweight fusible interfacing.
- Fuse the layout carefully so the individual patches remain organized.
- Sew the horizontal seams across the grid.
- Reduce excess interfacing bulk where instructed in the original tutorial.
- Sew the vertical seams to complete the patchwork grid.
- Press and check the finished 14-inch block.
The original Crimson Tate tutorial contains the exact cutting requirements, HST measurements, grid layout, interfacing placement, photographs, and detailed sewing sequence. This Quilting Time guide adds fabric planning, accuracy advice, troubleshooting, and project ideas rather than reproducing the complete original instructions.
Tips for Working with Fusible Interfacing
Check Which Side Has the Adhesive
Fusible interfacing has an adhesive side that needs to face the wrong side of the fabric pieces.
Confirm the orientation before arranging dozens of squares.
Keep Small Gaps Consistent
The spaces between squares need to remain reasonably consistent so the grid folds and stitches evenly.
Take your time when arranging the layout before fusing.
Use a Pressing Cloth When Needed
Exposed fusible adhesive can stick to an iron or ironing surface.
A pressing cloth can protect both your iron and the project.
Do Not Over-Fuse
You only need enough adhesion to keep the squares stable during construction.
Follow the heat recommendations for the interfacing you are using.
Tips for Better Half-Square Triangles
- Draw diagonal sewing guides accurately.
- Chain piece repeated HST units to save time.
- Press without stretching the diagonal seams.
- Trim every HST to the required size before adding it to the grid.
- Remove dog ears so bulky corners do not accumulate.
Planning the Scrappy Layout
Random does not have to mean completely unplanned.
Before fusing the squares, look across the entire heart and check for:
- several identical prints touching one another,
- all of the darkest scraps concentrated in one corner,
- large areas with too little contrast,
- directional prints facing awkwardly,
- or one fabric visually dominating the whole heart.
Move pieces around until the colors feel evenly distributed.
Color Ideas Beyond Red and White
Rainbow Heart
Arrange scraps in rainbow order or mix them randomly against a low-volume background.
Pink and Burgundy
Mix blush, rose, raspberry, burgundy, and plum for a more sophisticated Valentine-inspired palette.
Blue Heart
Use turquoise, aqua, cobalt, and navy scraps against cream or white.
Christmas Heart
Red, green, cream, and small holiday prints turn the same block into seasonal décor.
Memory Heart
Use small pieces from meaningful fabrics or previous projects to create a heart with personal significance.
Common Scrappy Heart Block Mistakes to Avoid
Using Fabrics with Too Little Contrast
If the heart and background contain similar values, the heart shape can disappear.
Skipping HST Trimming
Small inaccurate triangle units can make the grid difficult to align.
Fusing Before Checking the Whole Layout
Once the pieces are fused, rearranging them becomes much harder.
Stand back and inspect the complete heart before applying heat.
Using Heavy Interfacing
A heavy stabilizer can create unnecessary bulk where many grid seams intersect.
The original tutorial specifies lightweight interfacing.
Forgetting to Manage Seam Bulk
The interfacing creates additional layers inside the patchwork grid.
Follow the original tutorial’s seam-trimming and pressing guidance to keep the completed block flatter.
What Can You Make with One Scrappy Heart Block?
A 14-inch block is large enough to become a small project on its own.
- a quilted pillow front,
- a Valentine wall hanging,
- a table topper,
- a tote bag panel,
- a mini quilt,
- or the center of a larger medallion-style project.
Ideas for a Full Scrappy Heart Quilt
Repeat the block several times to create a larger quilt.
You could:
- make every heart red but use different scraps,
- give each block a different color family,
- alternate heart blocks with plain background blocks,
- add sashing between the hearts,
- or create one rainbow heart per block.
Another Good Project for Fabric Scraps
If you enjoy projects that turn leftover fabric into something useful, our Patchwork Rug from Fabric Scraps tutorial is another scrap-friendly project built around simple patchwork techniques.
Scrappy Heart Quilt Block FAQ
Is the original Scrappy Heart Block tutorial still free?
Yes. Heather Givans’ original Crimson Tate Scrappy Heart Block tutorial remains available online for free.
Who designed the Scrappy Heart Block?
The featured tutorial is by Heather Givans of Crimson Tate.
What size is the finished block?
The original tutorial states a finished block size of 14 inches square.
Is this block good for fabric scraps?
Yes. Scrap use is one of the main features of the design.
Heather specifically encourages using many different fabrics for both the heart and the light background.
Does the block use Half-Square Triangles?
Yes. HST units are used to create the angled parts of the heart shape.
Why does the pattern use interfacing?
The interfacing keeps the many small squares organized in one complete grid while the horizontal and vertical seams are sewn.
Is this suitable for beginners?
A confident beginner can approach the project, especially if they are already comfortable with an accurate quarter-inch seam and basic HSTs.
The interfacing-grid construction is unusual at first, but it can actually make managing the many small pieces easier.
View the Original Free Scrappy Heart Block Tutorial
Heather Givans’ original tutorial includes the exact fabric requirements, cutting measurements, HST preparation, layout photographs, interfacing technique, and complete sewing sequence.
View the Original Free Scrappy Heart Block Tutorial →
Tutorial Source
Scrappy Heart Block Tutorial – INLove is an original tutorial by Heather Givans of Crimson Tate.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce the original tutorial photographs or full cutting instructions. This page adds project planning, scrap-selection ideas, accuracy advice, interfacing tips, troubleshooting, and related quilting resources while directing readers to Heather Givans for the original construction tutorial.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
