Moda Blockheads 3 - I'm In!

After watching on the sidelines for Moda Blockheads 1 & 2 because of time commitments, I decided this year was the year. I'm so excited for this challenge!

I chose to use a fat quarter bundle of Tasha Noel's 'A Little Sweetness' fabric for Riley Blake that I won last year in an Instagram giveaway (I know, how lucky can I be!). 

I'm making 6" blocks and hope the pieces won't get any smaller than they were in this first block!

I decided to use Mama's Linoleum layout by Lella Boutique here, although I'm going to make it larger to include all the blocks. The photo collage above shows what four 6" blocks sewn together will look like in this layout. I'm going to try to make two blocks with white backgrounds and two blocks with colored backgrounds in each set of four to give it that checkerboard effect.

Here are my week 2 and 3 blocks.

And for week 4, I elected to make one of the alternate blocks that was shared instead of the applique. I'm going to wait to do the applique blocks until I see them all and then may make a separate project with just the applique. 

This week's block was a letter 'Love' block. I didn't really think it fit with the other blocks so I elected to make a 12" block in reds and pinks and will make this into a Valentine's mini quilt to hang on my vintage door display for the holiday. I think I'll add some hearts on the sides and bottom. My project for this afternoon.

Several of the Moda designers that are hosting this sew along have suggested to starch the fabrics before cutting and it will help with making accurately pieced blocks. I've never starched before but decided to try. I used a pump bottle of Faultless Original spray starch (well more like 3 bottles) and literally soaked each fat quarter then hung them to dry on my vintage drying rack. After they dried, I steam pressed them.

I had a couple of fabrics that bled with the starching process.:( I probably should have stopped right there and washed all the fat quarters, but I didn't. When I wash the quilt, I'll just throw in lots of color catchers and hope that works. Hopefully, I won't be sorry for this decision later! What would you have done?

I'm loving seeing all the blocks in the Facebook group here. I am waiting a few days after the block pattern is posted on Wednesdays to see what clever ideas everyone else has for their blocks before making mine. Is that cheating?

Believe it or not, I'm all caught up for the moment for MBH3! Although I want to make a couple more of the alternate blocks I've seen. Are you a Moda Blockhead? What layout are you using? Can't wait to see your blocks!

~Sharla

Leave A Comment