Love and Kisses Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Love and Kisses Quilt Block

The Love and Kisses quilt block is a sweet and classic design that uses X and O shapes formed from half-square triangles — perfect for Valentine's Day quilts, baby quilts, or any project that calls for a little extra love.

Materials:

• Fabric in at least two contrasting colors (traditionally light for X's, dark for O's)
• Sewing machine, thread & pins
• Rotary cutter or scissors, cutting mat & quilting ruler
• Iron and ironing board

Instructions:

1. Cut four squares of each fabric in the same size (e.g., for a 6" finished block, cut four 3" squares of each fabric).
2. Place one light and one dark square right sides together. Pin in place and sew around the edges with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat with all remaining pairs.
3. Cut each sewn square diagonally from corner to corner to create two triangles. Press seams open and trim any excess fabric.
4. Take two triangles (one light, one dark) and place right sides together to form an X shape. Sew along one diagonal edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat to make two X shapes.
5. Take the remaining triangles and place right sides together to form two O shapes. Sew along one diagonal edge with a ¼" seam allowance.
6. Place one X shape and one O shape right sides together. Sew along one straight edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat with the remaining X and O shapes.
7. Press seams open and trim any excess fabric.
8. You now have two Love and Kisses blocks! Arrange with other blocks to create your quilt top, then layer with batting and backing and quilt as desired.

Making Half-Square Triangles

This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares to produce two half-square triangles.

On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line diagonally from corner to corner.

Stack a pair of light and dark squares right sides together. Sew a ¼" seam allowance on each side of the line.

You will end up with something like this:

Now cut along the diagonal line.

Press the seam to set it, then press toward the darkest fabric.

To trim to the exact size, line up the 45° diagonal on your ruler with the seam.

Then carefully trim your block with a rotary cutter.

Four Patch Piecing

The secret to a perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.

Cut two A squares and two B squares. Using chain piecing, join an A square to a B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.

Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Place the two A/B units right sides together, pin, and join with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press.

Wider Application

This technique applies to all kinds of four patch blocks with a 4×4 grid. Keep pressing seams in pairs of opposite directions and piecing will be smooth sailing.

Nine Patch Piecing

The secret to the nine patch is pressing seams so they butt when joined. Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares. Using chain piecing, join a B square to 3 of the A squares with a ¼" seam allowance.

Next, chain piece the remaining A and B squares to these units:

Your result:

For speed, cut A and B strips and join into A/B/A and B/A/B units. Press every seam toward the dark fabric, then cut across the pre-joined strips:

Same result, but faster:

This methodology applies to all kinds of 9-patch blocks with an underlying 3×3 grid.

When it's not obvious which direction is the dark, remember the basic ironing plan:

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the finished size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.

Important: Always remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½" squares, subtract the seam allowances (½"), double the finished block size (3" → 6"), then add the seam allowance back (½"). You'll end up cutting a 6½" piece of fabric.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½" to your desired finished block measurement. For a 4" finished square, cut a 4½" square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks

Add ½" to both the length and width. To double a block that measures 3" × 4", cut a 6½" × 8½" rectangle of fabric.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add ⅞" to the desired finished block size. For a 4" finished block, cut 4⅞" squares.

Resizing Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks

Add 1¼" to the desired finished block size. For a 4" finished block, cut your squares 5¼".