Ombre Heart Quilt Pattern for Fat Quarters: Love Letters

There’s something about fabric that fades from one shade to the next that makes my heart happy. This ombre heart quilt is my Love Letters pattern sewn from a single fat quarter bundle of I Heart Ombre by V and Co. for Moda, and it might be one of the sweetest quilts I’ve ever made.

If you’ve been hunting for a heart quilt pattern that’s simple enough to finish before Valentine’s Day but special enough to keep forever, grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. I want to tell you where this one came from.

The Real Love Letters Behind This Heart Quilt

Love Letters started with an actual stack of letters. My great grandparents wrote to each other before they were married, and once I found those letters, I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Two people getting to know each other one envelope at a time, watching the mailbox for the next note.

I wanted a quilt that felt like that. Every block in this pattern is a little envelope with a heart tucked inside, like a note sealed up and sent off to someone you love.

When I sew this pattern, I think about the two of them. My hope is that when you sew yours, you’ll think about your people too.

Why I Picked an Ombre Fat Quarter Bundle

For this version, I used one fat quarter bundle of I Heart Ombre by V and Co. for Moda. Ombre fabric does the prettiest thing in a block based quilt. Each heart shifts a little in shade, so the whole quilt has movement even though every block is made the same way.

I’ll be honest with you, I Heart Ombre is getting really hard to find. If you’ve got a bundle tucked away in your stash, consider this your sign to finally cut into it. If not, it’s worth a quick peek on Etsy, where quilters sometimes sell leftover bundles.

Still coming up empty? Any ombre or tonal fat quarter bundle will give you a similar look. I’d start by browsing ombre and blender fat quarters at Fat Quarter Shop. Pick a bundle with a good mix of light and dark values so your hearts and envelopes don’t melt into the background.

Love Letters Ombre Heart Quilt Pattern Details

Love Letters is written for fat quarters plus background yardage, and you get two sizes in one pattern:

• Baby: 35″ x 48″, 6 fat quarters plus yardage
• Throw: 62″ x 72″, 16 fat quarters plus yardage

It’s a block based pattern, so it’s a great fit for confident beginners. If you’ve finished a quilt or two and you’re ready for something that looks a little fancier than it really is, this is the one. You’ll get cutting diagrams, piecing diagrams, and full color illustrations, and like all of my patterns, the math is already done for you. All that’s left is the fun part.

The baby size makes a sweet gift for a new little one, and the throw is just right for snuggling on the couch on a chilly February night. Fat quarters are where this pattern really shines, though a scrap lover with plenty of larger pieces could make it work too.

If you need a fresh rotary blade or a good ruler before you start, I keep my favorite quilty tools in my Amazon storefront.

Custom Quilting by Kelly Borns

Once the top was finished, I sent it off to longarm quilter Kelly Borns. She quilted it with swirls and custom designs, and it added so much softness and texture. Those swirls give the whole quilt a romantic, flowing feel, which seems just right for a quilt named after love letters.

Quilty Tip: Use a Sheet for Your Quilt Backing

Here’s a little secret about this quilt. The back is a sheet I picked up at Target! Backing fabric can easily cost more than the quilt top, so a sheet is one of my favorite ways to save money without cutting corners.

Sheets are wide, so there’s no piecing the back together. A full or queen flat sheet usually covers a throw size quilt with plenty of extra room for your longarm quilter.

A couple of things to keep in mind before you grab one off the shelf. Prewash it, since sheets can shrink. Skip the super high thread count sheets too, because tightly woven fabric is harder for a needle to get through. A soft cotton sheet with a lower thread count quilts up beautifully, and it’s so cozy on the back.

Make Your Own Ombre Heart Quilt

Whether you’re planning ahead for Valentine’s Day, sewing a wedding or anniversary gift, or making a quilt just because you love someone, Love Letters is ready when you are.

You can grab the Love Letters PDF pattern and start cutting tonight, or order the paper pattern if you love having a printed copy next to your machine.

Want more Love Letters inspiration? Take a look at this simple heart quilt pattern post for a different colorway, or read how I turned Grandpa’s old shirts into a heart memory quilt. And if you’re already dreaming about Christmas sewing, Love Letters has a sister pattern, Letters For Santa.

I can’t wait to see the colors you choose. Tag me @bretquiltdesigns on Instagram so I can cheer you on!