Tag: Blocksheads 3

BlockHeads- ZEST

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We were working on our Blockheads blocks back in December, which seems so long ago. I watched the Gringe with my grandkids many times over the holidays, and we often talked about having a big heart. I named the block ZEST for great enthusiasm and energy and, of course, a big heart.

Here is the link to the pattern download. But wait, there is more past the download!

This block is so simple that I had to play around with all kinds of options.
My 4″ block is half and half.

As I have done in my other blockheads’ posts, I have featured a few of my treasures. This week I am showing two pins, modalissa and Moda certified. But one of my favorite treasures is this pin that was in my stocking many years ago. That year, after all the gifts were open, bellies were full, and kids were down for naps, my mom brought out a huge sack for my sister and me.

Each item was individually wrapped and had a handwritten explanation about the history of the treasure. My sister and I spent the rest of the afternoon going through the makeshift stocking while mom told us all about the goods. This reminds me of how we all tell the stories about the meaning behind our quilts and the messages they leave behind.

I couldn’t help but incorporate my family into this quilt, combining 4 of the 4″ hearts to represent my three grandsons and one granddaughter.

To represent my four boys and one girl, I did the same but made them as 8″ blocks and will add this to my quilt somewhere. Every quilt tells a story, and mine would not be complete without adding these.

I was in the process of photographing these two blocks, and it gave me an idea!

I made a heart in a heart version combining the 4″ block and the 8″ block.

This is probably not the most efficient way to make this, but sometimes you just have to roll with it. Here are my notes to make your own.

Using the math from the blockheads 8″ Zest heart block, layout as shown above.

One ruler I am obsessed with is Simple Folded Corners by Antler Quilt Designs.

Cutting away the extra leaving seam allowances makes this process quick and accurate.

Here is half of the block. Join the two sides together.

When I told Doug I was going to be using his ruler, he graciously let me give away a few!!

So I have 3 of the mini Simple Folded Corners. Who wants one?

Leave a comment, and I will contact three winners directly for your shipping info.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the ZEST  block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

 

Modalissa

 

BlockHeads- Zen Chic- 2-12

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Today’s Block Heads post is all about LOVE.

LOVE block by Zen Chic

Love from Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic pictured with some of my pins that are a word and pic combo. No, I am not a train wreck or a drama queen but I am a Lucky Duck to be a part of the Moda Blockheads.

You can find the pattern here.

Last week was applique. This week is paper foundation piecing. Both are a challenge to think outside the box and do something a bit different.
I have become obsessed about this block and will be making it in all sizes, the 4″ block for a pincushion all the way up to the 12″ block for a pillow.

A few tips:

-Print on lightweight paper and tighten your stitch length making the paper easy to tear off. When tearing off the paper make sure you hold on to the seam allowance around the outside edge so the seam does not come apart.

– Lightly color in where you want the colors for the letters to be. It is very easy to get these transposed and end up having a letter E without a middle bar.

-Be sure and adjust your printing of the pattern pages as actual size. Quite often the default setting is fit to print and will make your blocks a tad smaller.

-Oversize all your fabrics. When paper piecing it is crucial to have a bigger piece and trim down instead of coming up short on an angle.

-If you have not paper foundation pieced, print extra pages of the size you need. I messed up on both of the letters V and E and needed to redo them.

-Have fun and experiment.

I was playing around with Brigitte’s newest fabric line, JUST RED to create a LOVE pillow. I was going for negative-positive color placement but was not happy with how it turned out so I will keep playing with color options. Remember when I said print multiple copies of the pages?

Thanks for being adventurous and learning new things!

I can’t wait to see what you create.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the LOVE  block:

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.