I love birds and hearts during the winter months the best. It was just fitting for the newest collection RED-iculously by Me and My Sister. It was perfect for my pattern design.

This mini quilt finishes at 16" x 26".

10" x 20" background fabric
6" x 6" for each set of bird wings
4" x 7" for each bird body
1 red fat quarter for sashing
1 print fat quarter for sashing
2/3 yard backing fabric
20" x 30" batting
1 fat quarter for binding

floss for embroidery

Print the applique and embroidery templates. Place the heart pattern in the center of the background fabric and draw your heart and the word love only right onto the fabric. This will be your embroidery line guide.

Prepare applique pieces and complete applique using your preferred method. The birds are offset to give the effect that they are in flight.

When all applique is complete, draw lines on each end of the word love to meet the beak of each bird. Waiting until the birds are appliqued will make it easier to place the thread in the center of the bird beak.

Instructions for border

From red sashing fabric, cut:

• (8) 1.5" x 20"
• (3) 1.5" x 14"

From print sashing fabric, cut

• (5) 1.5" x 20 strips
• (3) 1.5" x 14"

Make 3 red/white/red units as shown. Cut one in half to yield (2) 3" x 10" units for the mini quilt side border.

Cut 2 print strips and 1 red strip at 1.5" x 14". Sew together as shown below.

Press and subcut into (8) 1.5" x 3" sections. Set aside.

Repeat the process from above  - Join 14" strips into alternating strip sets. Subcut into 1.5" wide section. Use these to create 4 nine-patches for the border corners.

Assemble the borders as shown:

Add batting, backing, quilting and bind and you are finished!

This quilt finishes at 16" x 20".

I hope you enjoyed making this project as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Mary Andra Holmes