Set In Stone: Love - A “Shades of Grey” Block Tour
Set In Stone: Love
Red (Ruby)
Set In Stone: Love is a free 6.5-inch PDF quilt block pattern designed for the 2026 Shades of Grey Block Tour. Constructed using half-square triangles and stitch-and-flip corners, this modern-traditional heart block features a high-contrast gem setting that can be integrated into larger quilts or formatted into a standalone mug rug.
This second block is a “partner” block to the Crowned In Grey block and mug rug.
If you poke around my website, you’ll notice that my style is modern-traditional. I love exploring the meaning behind traditional blocks and giving them a twist to create something with deeper meaning that helps tell your story. Maybe I am the sentimental type, but some objects are more - they are reminders of people, experiences, and big life events.
The Story:
Set in Stone: Love was a follow up idea to the Crowned in Grey block. I love working with Half Square Triangles and snow ball/stitch and flip corners to change up a block. From a designer perspective, playing around with colour and blocks, sometimes we don’t always see things until further into the project. My initial idea was that I’d have a pop of colour on a heart shaped gem stone like block. Once I quilted the mug rug, I realized that I had more of a heart in a heart effect and the greys created a setting for the heart “gem” to sit in.
I have so many colours that are special to me - I love ruby - July’s gem stone - as it marks my wedding anniversary and if it weren’t for my husband’s request for a quilt I would have never started quilting. There is more to that story!
If I were to turn this into a series of place mats/table runner or quilt, I would choose colours that represented my husband and I from our wedding colours to birth month gemstones and even our favourite colours.
As you choose your pop of colour, I invite you to choose a colour that honours something that is precious to you.
The Goodies (Patterns and Kits)
The small print: All Set In Stone: Love patterns are only available as a Digital Download (PDF).
Free Pattern: Click the button below to download your free copy of the block pattern. You will be asked for your email address and can choose to sign up for any email options you’d like.
Mug Rug Digital Pattern ($7.00 now $3.50 CAD for the remainder of 2026): Use the Crowned in Grey Mug Rug pattern to turn any 6½” x 6½” block into a mug rug. Simply swap out the instructions for the block with the free Set In Stone instructions. The pattern is discounted at 50% off or free with the purchase of the Crowned in Grey kit (Canadian shipping only).
Quilting Ideas
I recommend quilting an outline around the heart to accentuate the stone setting and mini heart gem look. I chose to use a light grey thread with the grey pieces and a matching red thread for the red section. I do love a bit of an accented top stitching look in my binding or to top stitch around the edge of the mug rug so I chose to use the red thread.
You might also enjoy my mystery quilt and novel. Click the button to read more!
Want more Shades of Grey Blocks?
Check out the three blocks that released ahead of mine.
Tasha Haynes of Tasha Quilts has created a skill building block that combines Half Square Triangles with Flying Geese to create a bold, directional block that feels dynamic and modern without being complicated.
Angela Wall of Ollie Sara Designs alongside several others are releasing a Halloween themed mystery quilt-a-long. It’s also my privilege to know some of the designers involved. If you want to know more about the Forgotten Rooms Quilt Along, click here.
What a neat modern, Halloween block designed by Laura Metang of Palm Creations. Laura is a fantasy novel enthusiast and this block is inspired! Fabric choice will turn this block into an interesting piece.
Check out the previous and upcoming Shades of Grey blocks. This is one block tour that you won’t want to miss out on. These blocks are high quality, creative, and a mix of styles to suit all quilting preferences. Who knows … maybe you will be inspired to try something new!
