Happy Blocks were a special project for HeartStrings and we have made several variations over the years. Some are scrappy and some with just 3 fabrics. Our center’s have been cut between 4.5 inches and 6.5 inches. You can choose whatever works best for the fabric you’re using and the block size you want to end up with. Charm Squares make great Happy Blocks too! Click here to see Happy Blocks from Charm Squares
Instructions for making our original blocks are below. Keep scrolling down to see a couple 3 fabric versions
Block size is 8 inches finished (8.5 with seam allowances)
First, I pulled a variety of bright fabrics that read fairly solid. Framing strips will be cut 2.5 inches wide.
Novelty fabrics for the block centers were cut into 4.5 inch squares.
I auditioned the framing fabrics by plopping the novelty square on the folded fabric.
From your 2.5 inch framing strip, you will cut
- (2) 4.5 inch pieces
- (2) 8.5 inch pieces
Sew the sides first, press, and then sew the top and bottom.
If your fabrics are directional, you’ll want to alternate sewing your short pieces to the sides and to the top and bottom since you’re going to alternate these blocks so there aren’t seams to line up when you assemble the top.
Set blocks 6 x 8 for a quilt that measures 48 x 64 inches.
For this one, I used 30 blocks cutting the novelty squares 5.5 inches. Frames are cut 2.5 inches — the block will finish at 9 inches (9.5 with seam allowances). Blocks are set 5 x 6 and the quilt finishes at 45 x 54.
Here’s a simple 3 fabric variation. Make sure to follow the instructions above for framing the novelty squares so you can rotate every other block and not have any seams to match up.
Click here to download a PDF with quilt notes.
Here’s another 3 fabric version – these centers were cut 6.5 inches and the framing fabrics were cut 2.5 inches.
MaryQuilts.com 
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Hi!
I made a similar version for my grandson to be in the “Be A Man” series from ‘Free Spirit’.
I made rectangular boxes and it turned out great – but I love the smaller box version you
have made and will make your pattern for my daughter-in-law’s sister who is due in February!
Thank you – Bonny
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Danke für die vielen ,schönen Ideen ich bin begeistert.
LG Monika
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Hey thankyou, I have some neat fabrics I could use with this idea
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Hi Mary! I love your site. i am currently in the hospital on bed rest and my baby will come early. i have been looking for lovely quilt patterns to inspire me as I make him a preemie quilt to cover his isolette, as he will be in the NICU for some time. I have asked all of our friends to donate a swatch of fabric. Thank you for the inspiration. This will be my first quilt and I really enjoyed reading your blog (I may go for a very simple pattern the first time!) Shell
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I am looking forward to making one of these to show as a sample for the sew in I am organising.Thanks for another superb pattern and tutorial mary. you truly are a quilting angel. x
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I think I’ll try this is Christmas fabrics with a goal to make them look like wrapped gifts. Your site inspires me! 🙂
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love it! I am a new quilter and this loos terrific! I will be giving it a go.
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Oh wow. I cant wait to try this. Thanks for sharing
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Is would like to know how much matériel we need for this project. I would like to do it.
Thank you
Lina
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Does the HeartString Project only accept Happy Block blocks in a certain month of the year? I’m going to make the blocks but I’m also trying to prioritize what I do.
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I see that you held the sew-in the third week of September 2018. But you might do something different in 2021?
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Are you still making Happy Blocks? I just tuned in.
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