Piecing the block
Step 1. Referring to Diagrams I and II, fold and finger-press creases in 17″ background square.

Diagram I

Diagram II

Step 2. Prepare hearts for appliquéing to background square, using method of choice. Using finger-creased lines as a guide, place first three hearts on background square. Adjust hearts, keeping centers aligned on creased lines, until the edges touch each other (Diagram III). Pin in place and then appliqué to square.

Step 3. Repeat Step 2 for the remaining hearts, aligning two at a time (Diagram IV), rather than three. Trim background fabric to 15 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ square after all hearts have been appliquéd into place.

Diagram III

Diagram IV