Moda Blockheads Round 5: Block 1
Did you enjoy last week’s bonus block and kick-off blog post for Moda Blockheads Round 5? I’ve really been enjoying sewing with my pretty palette of blues and peachy-corals!
Our first block for this round is now available to download. It’s brought to us by Betsy Chutchian. Just like all of the blocks in this round of Blockheads, it is a pretty star block.
I think if I were making this block again, I would opt to swap out the gingham fabric and use the darker coral fabric for that whole section. That would frame out the center portion so nicely. However, I’ve learned that for sampler quilts, you don’t need to be quite as particular about your blocks. You might have some blocks that you don’t care for as much or wish you had chosen different fabrics for certain blocks within your sampler. But, by the time you get all of the blocks made, and put into one larger quilt, you really don’t notice too many individual fabric choices.
You can download the Bright Star pattern here.
True to character, as soon as Tiggs noticed there was a quilt block around he had to saunter on over.
He makes me laugh because I bet about 50% of the time he is walking around with his eyes closed just like you see above. Walking with your eyes open is hard work, I guess? If I tried to walk around with my eyes closed as much as he does, I would encounter many problems! =)
He quickly found just the spot for a quick nap:
Sunshine and fabric, what could be better!
I hope your day is full of sunshine and fabric too! Thanks so much for stopping by. =)
I actually really love the gingham fabric here. I think it made the coral pop, but I mean it’s a beautiful color palette so you can’t really go wrong. I agree with you about making samplers and sometimes not loving all of the choices for individual blocks. In the end you don’t even notice. Beautiful block, now I want to join in!
You should join in Kimberly! It’s a fun sew along. This is the first actual block release for this round and only 10 blocks total (with the bonus block from last week included)…then a break before we start the 2nd half of this round after the holidays. That means you could make a mini project with just this first set of 10 blocks are continue on if you wanted to and turn them all into a larger project. =)
Oh Tiggs…what a great life you have, fabric and sunshine!
He really just wants to be where you are Corey, but he’s the strong silent type and doesn’t want you to know. Lol
I also love the gingham and the block. So fresh and pretty. Makes me want to join in too!
You should join in Jennifer!…it’s always such fun. =)
I’m not much of a peach/coral person, but the color combo is beautiful. I may yet be converted! I’m digging your background wood flooring (I.e. card stock) for your photos – what a brilliant & inexpensive idea!
I’ve really been enjoying this color palette. I’ve had this combo in mind for a fabric collection for a couple years and am so happy with the way the line came together. It’s really been fun mixing Peachy Keen with Blueberry Delight too…the two collections mix together so nicely. =)
Love your Block and I love Tiggs! What a character!!
He is so silly!
Corey, I just love the fabrics you chose for this quilt along, and especially for this block.
Thank you so much!
Ohhh Tiggs!!! LOLOL Love your fabric choices!!!!
That silly cat is so predictable! =)
What’s not to love about this post? Beautiful fabrics and an entertaining kittie! Can’t wait to get started with my Sunwashed bundle!
It will be so pretty in Sunwashed!
Tiggs is so funny, he’s so cute. Love your block and the color choices.
He is such a funny boy!
Gotta wonder if Tiggs closes his eyes to avoid a camera flash OR perhaps he figures if he cannot see you; you cannot see him. LOL
Ha!…you never know with him! I always have my flash turned off so it’s not that…plus he does it all the time when he’s walking around. We joke around that it’s just too hard to walk PLUS keep your eyes open…such hard work that he has to close them. LOL
I would definitely keep the gingham as the two-tone units make a sense of motion from the pinwheel effect. So gorgeous! And I really want Peachy Keen now that I’ve seen this block *waaah*
Plus I cannot believe Tiggs is walking with his eyes closed. Have you had his eyes checked for cataracts or infection? I’ve had a lot of cats over the years and never saw one stand up and move with their eyes closed or squinted unless they had an issue with their eyes. I’ve seen other cats do this though, too funny. That’s when I pick them up and hug and toss them up on my shoulders to ride around safely using my eyes as a guide. Love cats who ride on my shoulders. Tiggs is probably too *ahem* big for that 🙂
Sarah
I’m definitely leaving the gingham…I’m not one for making changes from my original plan unless I really don’t like it. =)
We actually did take him in for his eyes and they say he’s in great shape. It seems to be a silly quirk of his (he’s such a funny cat!).
Your fabrics are beautiful Corey and such precision making a small block. Love it!
Thank you Lu!
Such a beautiful block Corey! And of course Tiggs makes me smile.
I noticed your center block is not HST but looks like a square in a square. Can you share your measurements for that center square please?
Thank you so much Mary! My center square was cut at 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.
I always love your fabric choices! It’s mine that I have issue with. 😝 Are you doing all of yours as 6”?
We are our own worst critic, aren’t we! I had planned to do all of mine at 6″ but I’ve also started playing with layout ideas and now I might change my mind once I decide for sure on my layout. =)
Sunshine, fabric and kitties — the perfect combo!! I love this block, and I wouldn’t change a thing about your fabric choices! I won’t be joining in this sew-along (too many other things going on) but I will enjoy seeing your creations each week 🙂
It’s always fun to watch along even if you aren’t sewing along. =)
Corey, your comments about selection choice are so true… I think this may be a sew-along I will do. Thank you for you friendly approach to quilting and greetings to Sir Tiggs
I hope you do join in Andy! The format of this round is so nice that even if you wanted to dabble a bit with this sew along, you could. The first part of this round is 10 blocks long (including the bonus block) and then a break for the holidays. The second part of this round will then kick off after the holidays. You could do just the first 10 blocks or continue making blocks if you wanted to.
Love your fussy cut center! I also like how you made the flying geese instead of all HST. You’re teaching me there is more than one way to cut out a block! 💖
There are almost always more than one way to make a quilt block. Even a block as simple as a 9 patch can often be made in more than one way. I love that about quilting because then we can use whatever method works best for us, the block, and/or the fabrics we are using.
Hey Corey! I am so happy you are the first contributor to this round of MBH. My Rubyblue is sending happy hi’s to Tiggs. She too loves fabric and sunshine. All the best to you and yours.
Hi to Rubyblue!
That is so true that making sampler blocks decreases stress about individual fabric choices, because it all seems to work together in the end! I love following your blog but especially during ModaBlockheads projects as I am so inspired by your choices and tips!
They do just sort of seem to work out, don’t they!
Blockheads and blocks by the month are my favorite! Do you know how much background fabric will be needed to do both sections of BH5?
Thanks!
It will depend on your setting for the blocks and which size or combination of the two sizes you are making.
How much fabric does it take to do blockheads five?
Is there a guide for various sizes and settings?
Hi Terri, I wondered that myself so I did some searching on the Moda website, and found that there was a livestream during which they went over some of that info. The link is here: https://modafabrics.com/inspiration-resources/blockheads-5-livestream-recap. Hope that helps!
I have kept all the Blockheads downloads since 1 (I think I bought the book for that), but haven’t ever completed them. This time, though!! I have a couple of fat quarter bundles on order, and just need to get some background fabric. Then I’m IN!
Also, Tiggs is dang adorable. Our cat, Apollo, who passed in January of this year at age 18, was also a fan of fabric. He felt the need to lie on it and ensure it was appropriate before he’d get off and let me sew. Also, Tiggs reminds me (coloring-wise) of our Angus, who passed in 2018. Angus was really our son’s cat, and helped our son through high school and beyond. We still miss both of them.
Thanks so much for your postings. I’m not great at remembering to say thanks, which I’m also trying to get better about!!
Love this block and Tiggs!!
Love the center square it really makes the block pretty.