Blockheads 9 - Taos

In my opinion Taos called for orange and dark red to mimic the Adobe buildings and the colors of the desert. And by coincidence the colors corresponded exactely with the blooms of my newly bought hibiscus

Taos by Vanessa Goertzen

My block is 6" which made for rather small squares in the centre but it is manageable.

Here is the link to Vanessa's original post.

Blockheads 8 - 9Patch

Uneven 9Patch by Minick & Simpson

I really love the simplicity of this block. And in a 6" size it's really cute.

Here is the link to the original post by the makers.

Blockheads 6 - Magic

A pinwheel-variation I should have made with 2 different fabrics to make it stand out better. Well, done is done or as a friend of mine said "better finished than perfect".

Magic by Lisa Bongean

As there are so many patches I chose the 12" size.

Here is the link to Lisa's original post.

Blockheads 5 - 9Patch Variation

As it is the week of Valentine's Day Brigitte Heitland designed a block with the word LOVE written on it (click here for the link).
Paper piecing and a written word? Not for me. So I sew that 6"

Nine Patch Variation

Blockheads 4 - Shoo Fly

This week's block is a sweet little birdhouse by Jan Patek (click here for the link). I decided that I want only regularly pieced blocks for my sampler, no representational blocks like birds, bunnies, houses, baskets, hearts, etc. So I substituted Jan Patek's block for a traditional, 6"

Shoo Fly

Blockheads 3 - Crown and Star

As this block is made up of many pieces I went for a 12" block.

I love how the precise measurements in the patterns and the scant 1/4" foot of my sewing machine are delivering perfect blocks. Thanks to all the designers!

Blockheads 3

Crown and Star by Betsy Chutchian 

This is the link to Betsy's blogpost.

Blockheads 2 - Sunshine Star

A nice little (6 inch) block that I really enjoyed making.

Blockheads 2

Sunshine Star by Sherri McConnell

Here is the link to Sherri's blogpost.

Blockheads 1 - Star Chain

For the third year in a row Moda is launching their Blockheads. That means 56 quilt blocks in 56 weeks. As I lost my sewing mojo in the last months I decided to join this sew-along to get back on track again. 

I defined some restrictions for myself:
1. No fabric buying - only using my stash.
2. No paper-piecing as I hate this technique (which is therefore not really a restriction but a permission).
3. I chose a dark gey background fabric. I have a bit over 2 yards and I will sew along as long as this fabric lasts.
4. The blocks are given in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 inches. I decided to make them either in 6 or in 12 inches. This should make for a nice, lively, not too big sampler quilt. And the 12 inch option will make it easier to sew the blocks with many pieces.

So here we go!

Blockheads 1

Star Chain by Corey Yoder

Here is the link to Corey Yoder's blogpost.

I really liked to sew this 12" block. And especially the colors I've chosen. It was a rainy gray day and the fabrics really brought sunshine into it.

To place the half-square triangles correctly I fold them and the squares in half and pinched them with two fingers to get a mark in the fabric. In the picture (left) I marked this pinch with a gray line. Then put the right sides of the fabric together matching the marks. Pin and sew (right).