Today is Laurie Simpson’s turn to share a quilt block. Please visit Laurie’s blog to learn about her block and download the pattern.
I showed a while back that I keep the patterns and blocks in a notebook. Now my notebook is overflowing so not all the blocks fit and it is getting time for me to finally decide how I am going to set this fish mash of blocks together.
Block 36
Shown above is my version of Laurie’s block along with the blocks that didn’t fit in the notebook. If you look close I was able to sneak in a piece from a new collection by Corey Yoder, Springbrook which will be in stores Jan. 2021. Sorry to tempt you, but that is a perk of working at Moda, I guess!
I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my progress. Not all blocks are pictured, but man have we all come a long way.
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Magic 8″ pattern- my version
Block 7
Block 7
Block 8
Block 9
Block 12
Block 14
Block 15
Block 17
Block 16
Block 19
Blockheads 3- block 20
Block 22
Block 23
block #25
Block 34
All of the blocks patterns are always available as downloads on the Moda Inspiration and Resources page. To see them all so far, click here.
How is your progress? Just remember it is a marathon not a sprint and to enjoy the process.
Today is Jen Kingwell’s turn to share a quilt block pattern. The name of her block is Proposal and it has a great story behind it. To get the pattern and learn more about the block, visit Jen’s blog, HERE.
Using Jen’s inspiration for her block, I decided to use all lights to represent a diamond. My Diamond is not perfect and since there is all different qualities of diamonds I left the imperfections!! Another thing I learned while pulling fabric for this one is I must love white/cremes with tan or grey dots.
If you follow me on Instagram of Facebook then you probably have seen some of the pictures of my only daughter’s wedding. I wanted to share another story which seems fitting on the topic of proposals. My daughter has always been a city girl but she met and fell in love with a country boy. He proposed to her by carving the words into a tree on their land. The night he was planning on proposing she was late coming home from work which also meant she was tired and probably a little cranky. He insisted on going for a ride and he had something to show her. While she wanted to wait until the morning, but she went ahead and this is what she saw. (picture was taken in the morning)
I had help along the way. Do you sew in your swimsuit?
So when it came time to make her a quilt for her wedding, I could think of no other pattern than a tree block. I sent blocks out to some of their friends and family for messages and well wishes.
I think they were pretty surprised! For a few days this was their wedding quilt, now we call it the Babymaker. No pressure!!
Just in case you are wondering I used a tutorial from Amy Smart for this block. You can find the info HERE.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Proposal block.
Happy Wednesday and welcome to the LUCKY PENNY block designed by Vanessa Goertzen.
I absolutely love this pattern and I am pretty proud of my workmanship. I took my time and enjoyed the process!
You can hop on over to Vanessa’s blog to download the pattern. I am sharing just a few pictures of my process and can’t wait to see yours.
I made the 8″ block and cut the pieces and did a layout so I could make sure none of the same fabrics touched each other… and really I just loved looking at all the blue and whites together.
Just so yummy, yummy, yummy. Doug Leko’s Mini Simple Folded Corners ruler came in so handy to trim my little bitty corners.
How dynamic this block would be as an allover quilt? Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gaterings probably already has a pattern for this.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my version of Vanessa’s block.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Lucky Penny block.
I have fallen a bit behind on my Blockheads blocks. Between making masks and planning a virtual quilt market there are many balls to juggle. In the pre-pandemic world, I would have just gotten home from Quilt Market. I would have been showing you all the projects I was working on with sneak peeks of what the Moda designers have new for you this fall. Excuses, Excuses, right? How are you doing? The sales of sewing machines have increased during this time which is so exciting. More people of all ages sewing whether making masks, clothing, or crafts. More MAKERS!!
Today is BLOCK 19, Compass Point designed by the uber-talented Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic.
I had fun choosing my fabrics for some odd reason. Normally I would have made each point a different color but when I went to grab fabrics for the block the first ones on the stack were funky geometrics so I went with it.
I wanted to share this video of Brigitte in her home in Germany sharing her studio, projects, and new fabrics. Everything about it is so charming. Enjoy!
Welcome to Blockhead’s Wednesday. If you have been following from the beginning you have visited each of the designer’s one time. Each quilter sharing a quilt block pattern, color inspiration and tips along the way and we get to do it all over again.
This week’s block and we are back at Corry Yoder of Coriander Quilts. To download the pattern, visit here.
When picking out my fabrics for this weeks block, I loved the combinations but once I got it all sewn together I was not thrilled with the choice for my center block, so I auditioned a few other fabrics to replace the centers. Should it be green, how about blue, maybe I should go with the navy pindot?
My little treasures this week are an assortment of old wooden spools. Nothing fancy, just classic treasures.
All of the blockhead designers have a little treat in store for you this week. Our friends at Martingale Publishing are sponsoring a giveaway of a Blockheads Ebook. I am not sure what social media platform each designer is doing their giveaway through, so check them all out, their blog, maybe Facebook or like me, maybe their Instagram account.
I collect block books and this is a good one. 48 different quilt blocks and several different quilt setting options.
Just a few of the blocks shown here.
Such wonderful inspiration for setting of the 6″ blocks.
Which of the block settings is your favorite?
TO enter , visit Instagram @modalissa.
Visit each of the designers listed below for an additional chance to win Blockheads.
hello and happy blockhead Wednesday. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this crazy time. Today more than ever I am so thankful for my family and friends that I have met through quilting.
Today’s block is designed by Joanna of Fig Tree and Co. The block is named Summer Breeze and can be found on Joanna’s blog, here.
Each week I take a pic of my block with some trinkets or treasures. This week I grabbed some of the spools from my Aurifil thread collection including a few spools of Joanna’s floss gift box collection. The colors are so yummy and are a perfect addition to wool embroidery.
Stock #JF12FW10- ask for it at your favorite retailer.
I pieced each of the 4 units and then played with what layout I wanted. The navy was the darkest and had the most weight so I put them in the middle and went with the third option for my block. How are you coming on your blocks? I am a bit behind on some of projects including 2 of the blockheads blacks. Like many of you I have been making masks and will be working on making masks for a local charity. So glad I can put my skills to good use, more on that later.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Summer Breeze block:
Block 11 was tough for me. I haven’t been able to focus. I could not decide what to do with my fabrics. Then I read Robin’s inspiration for her block and I jumped right in.
You can get the pattern at Robin’s blog, click here. Be sure and also follow Robin on Instagram, here.
By bringing the shapes together and uniting them with HST blocks in the center, the block can play as a flower bloom with petals or a clover. Using the color play of accentuating a side in reds/pinks brings out the heart in this bloom for LOVE! -Robin Pickens
During this crazy time of self-quarantine due to the COVID-19, there is no better thing than to share the love via our craft. I decided to go with all greens like a 4 leaf clover and adding an extra dose of love with a pink heart. I added some of my collector pins to this picture. While I have been a big collector in the past, I have Marie Condo-ed and minimalized my collections but still, have lots of little stuff that fits in big mason jars and does not have to be dusted. I do miss all my junk! What do you collect?
Once I made the 8″ block I decided I needed a 4 leaf clover pincushion so I made a small version.
To add a stem, I cut one of the squares in half diagonally and added a 1″ strip of fabric. Press towards the stem and square up the block.
Since this is Robin Picken’s block design it was a no- brainer to use her textured solids called Thatched.
pincushion
I had fun quilting it to death with Aurifil green thread. Once this quartine is over we are going to have a heck of a St. Patricks day celebration along with any additional holidays we have missed.
Robin and I dressed alike while setting up a booth at the Road to California show.
Stay safe and keep sewing.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Blooming Love block:
If you need a quick project to work on until next week’s blockheads’ block, how about making some medical masks? These are needed at our senior centers, children’s hospitals and I even had a request today from a friend that is a PA at a cancer center. If you need a pattern, there are many online resources just search how to make a mask.
There are so many options out there and while the fabric masks are not going to replace the N95 versions, there are many places that are accepting masks. Stay safe!
I have had so much fun mixing fabrics during this blockhead journey. While some of my blocks are only 2 or 3 colors, some of my blocks have lots of different fabrics. Having colorful blocks will help me balance all the blocks throughout the quilt. Have you added any fabrics to your blocks other than what you first started with?
To download Vanessa’s block instructions, visit Lella Boutique.
When I was at Quiltcon in Austin a few weeks ago, I was working at the Moda Bakeshop booth. Around the corner comes a familiar face, she yells Lissa, I yell Sally. I had not seen Sally in at least 30 years and I will say we had not aged a bit. She had moved from New York to Austin and is a quilter! Sally’s mom was one of my girl scout leaders and I guess I have always loved earning my badges. Here are a few badges that have been added to my collection. I know I have certainly earned the credit card one. Once a girl scout, always a girl scout.
Vanessa has a couple of books that you should add to your bookshelf. Check out this youtube as Vanessa shares a peek inside her book, Charm School.
Jelly Filled by Vanessa Goertzen
Vanessa’s newest book is Jelly-Filled, featuring 18 quilts using Moda’s 2 1/2″ Jelly Roll Strips. To learn more about Vanessa’s book ask at your favorite book retailer or visit Vanessa here.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Tahos block
Today is a day of Magic. If you have even seen any of Lisa Bongean’s work then you will understand. Lisa creates magic with everything she touches.
She makes it all look so easy.
But the best thing about the process is that Lisa is a fantastic teacher sharing her tips on accurate piecing no matter how big or small.
My block is 8″ and I am happy with how it turned out but Lisa’s is 4″. You can see her block and get the pattern here.
Magic by Lisa Bongean
The use of triangle papers is what makes this project pleasant to make. I love triangle papers and use them every chance I get, but normally I use them becasue I am making tons of trianges. Lisa’s set of papers makes it easy to cut off a section of paper to make only the qty of half sqaure triangles you need. They come in all sizes including 1/2″ finished. Egads!
Magic 8″ pattern- my versio
Shown with my Magic block are a few treasures from my tape measure collection. I have some sterling silver ones, some old and new advertising ones and some fun animal shaped ones. Just a few of them shown here since they needed to match my quilt block.
These are 2 of my favorite sizes and packages of triangle papers. They are designed to use with charm squares. I find myself using these sizes the most, one pack makes 1″ and the other is for making 1 1/2″.
This is a sampler pack including papers for 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″ and 1 1/2″ for use with charm squares.
I do tons of sewing late at night so I like to have the sampler packs on hand.
Don’t miss Lisa’s very handy cross reference chart for referencing what size papers you need according to what size half square triangles are needed in any pattern. Keep this chart for handy reference.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the MAGIC block:
Have you ever used triangle papers before? I am giving away an assortment pack to 3 of my readers. Just let me know why you need these by leaving a comment. The winner will be picked at random, Sunday, Feb 23rd.
SO many great variations and color placements on everyone’s blocks. I have learned so much from watching the progress. Each week is a different kind of challenge to not only what fabrics am I going to use but how my sewing skills are going to be challenged. Today’s block is from Betsy Chutchian. I have known Betsy almost forever. I can’t really remember when we first met but we were both involved with local quilt shops and would run into each other at guild meetings and various quilt shows. I get to see her more now that we are both moda peeps.
I knew Betsy’s block was going to be a challenge for me but in a good way.
I’m not scared!
The half-square triangles are cut at 1 7/8″ so they finish 1″. I rounded up all my cutting to 2″. I was able to then trim or square up each of the units. This definitely took more time but well worth it. Each week I am concentrating on improving my piecing skills. Some weeks I am trying out different rulers but most weeks I will be using triangle papers.
SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE.
Generally, I do not press my seams open. I must confess that I am a bit lazy when it comes to pressing. So to keep it real and make me accountable I decided to show the back of my block. Where the seams got bulky I did press open. There is still some bulk where the tip of the flying geese blocks was but that is okay with me. I will deal with that.
One thing I am going to work harder on is starching my fabrics. Lisa Bongean did a great post on the Blockheads FB group about starching. If you didn’t see it, here is the link.
Stock #JF12FW10- ask for it at your favorite retailer.
