Moda Blockheads 3 {The Layout}

Who's ready for Moda Blockheads 3?! The fun begins this Wednesday 1/15/20.

If you're new to Moda Blockheads: this is a popular (free) block-of-the-week sampler sew along put together by a bunch of us Moda designers. 56 weeks = 56 blocks, and this year you get to choose the size of each block you make. That's right. The block of the week will include instructions to finish at 4", 6", 8", or 12". Pretty cool!

But how will you decide what to make? Good question. We Moda designers are already headed off in different directions. We're sharing our quilt top layouts ahead of time to give you as many ideas as possible. I'm keeping my layout somewhat simple with what I'm calling "Mama's Linoleum Layout." In the mockups, you'll notice numbered squares (they represent sampler blocks, yet to be revealed). These examples show 6" and 12" sampler blocks plugged in, but what's important to note is they fill a 12" finished area either way. This means you could come up with other combinations using the 4" and/or 8" sampler blocks to fill the 12" sections in whatever way you'd like. The purpose of this post is simply to provide a layout idea to plug your sampler blocks into.

MAMA'S LINEOLUM no. 1 

This layout example uses (36) 6" sampler blocks plugged in. 

Finished block: 24" x 24"

Finished quilt: 72" x 72"

MATERIALS:

• (36) 6" finished sampler blocks -OR- a combination of sampler blocks so you have 9 units finishing at 12" x 12" (a fat quarter bundle is a good start no matter what size of blocks you settle on)
• 3.5 yards charcoal fabric 
• 2.5 yards white fabric 

CUTTING:

*WOF means Width of Fabric, I'm assuming 40" WOF in my calculations. 

1. From the charcoal fabric, cut and label the following:

• (6) strips 6.5" x WOF. Subcut (36) "A" squares 6.5" x 6.5" (6 per strip).
• (8) strips 7" x WOF. Subcut (36) "B" squares 7" x 7" (5 per strip). 
• (7) strips 3.5" x WOF. Subcut (72) "C" squares 3.5" x 3.5" (11 per strip). 

2. From the white fabric, cut and label the following:

• (8) strips 7" x WOF. Subcut (36) "D" squares 7" x 7" (5 per strip). 
• (7) strips 3.5" x WOF. Subcut (72) "E" squares 3.5" x 3.5" (11 per strip). 

MAMA'S LINEOLUM no. 2

This layout reverses the placement of the charcoal/white and uses only (9) 12" sampler blocks. This could be a great compromise for someone who wishes to participate in MB3 (but may not be able to afford the weekly time commitment). 

Finished block: 24" x 24"

Finished quilt: 72" x 72"

MATERIALS (WHITE VERSION):

• (9) 12" finished sampler blocks -OR- a combination of sampler blocks so you have 9 units finishing at 12" x 12" (a fat quarter bundle is a good start no matter what block sizes you settle on)
• 2.5 yards charcoal fabric 
• 3.5 yards white fabric 

CUTTING:

*WOF means Width of Fabric, I'm assuming 40" WOF in my calculations.  

1. From the charcoal fabric, cut and label the following:

• (8) strips 7" x WOF. Subcut (36) "B" squares 7" x 7" (5 per strip). 
• (7) strips 3.5" x WOF. Subcut (72) "C" squares 3.5" x 3.5" (11 per strip). 

2. From the white fabric, cut and label the following:

• (6) strips 6.5" x WOF. Subcut (36) "A" squares 6.5" x 6.5" (6 per strip).
• (8) strips 7" x WOF. Subcut (36) "D" squares 7" x 7" (5 per strip). 
• (7) strips 3.5" x WOF. Subcut (72) "E" squares 3.5" x 3.5" (11 per strip). 

These are just a couple ideas, I hope that helps you get a good start! I'll share more layout piecing instructions soon here (you can also subscribe to my posts on Instagram @lellaboutique where I post the majority of information). Also make sure you're a member of the Moda Blockheads Facebook group so you can get easy access to the blog links each week.

Modern Herringbone

Quilt: Modern Herringone
Fabric: Bloomington by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics
Pieced and quilted by: Kaitlyn Howell

Happy New Year! Kicking off January with a new $5 Pattern of the Month, of course!

In January, snag a copy of my Modern Herringbone quilt pattern for only $5 as a PDF or printed booklet. Both of these quilts are made with my Bloomington fabric collection shipping in April.

Quilt: Modern Herringone
Fabric: Bloomington by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics
Pieced by: Vanessa Goertzen
Quilted by: JC Quilting

Icebox {December's $5 Pattern}

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over at my house! This year I actually planned ahead and finished all of my Christmas shopping so I can enjoy the season and sew Christmas projects to my heart's content. It does not matter that they won't be ready in time for the holiday--there's just something so special about working on Christmas projects that gets me in the holiday mood. I'm about halfway through making Icebox right now.

 

Icebox is made with 18 fat quarters and is quite a large block (22" finished) perfect for any skill level. The pattern is available in paper or PDF and is on sale in December as the $5 Pattern of the Month. 

 

It's made from my Little Tree collection that shipped to shops in May. I'll be finishing up my Icebox quilt top soon and have at least 3 more projects planned using Little Tree fabric. How many Christmas quilts is too many? Asking for a friend. ;)

Jelly Filled Parade {Chapter 6}

It's the final day of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Thanks for celebrating my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips with me. I've invited a few of my favorite designers to play along and show us quilts from the book with their own spin. They will each also be giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! Get ready for inspiration galore!

Today the focus is on Chapter 6: "Advanced Techniques." I wanted to introduce some intermediate techniques for beginners (or anyone who'd like to expand their quilting skills). Here's a taste of piecing triangles and curves!

Quilt no. 17 is "Queen of Diamonds." Fabric is Wonderland by Rifle Paper Co. for Cotton + Steel. (I used fat quarters in place of precut strips.)

- - - > The guest designer guest for Queen of Diamonds is Chelsi Stratton! Check out her scrappy version of Queen of Diamonds on her blog here, and her instagram @chelsistratton.

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Quilt no. 18 is "Hey Cupcake." Fabric is Ombre Confetti Metallic by V & Co. for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Kaitlyn Howell at Knot and Thread Designs. You can check out her version on her blog, on Instagram @knotandthread, and on Facebook here. She has included some really great tips using the Creative Grids Circle Savvy Ruler to make this quilt, including a video!

Jelly Filled Parade {Chapter 5}

Welcome to Day 5 of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Every day this week, I'm sharing a little about my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips chapter by chapter. I've invited a few of my favorite designers to add their own spin to designs from my book. They're also giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! 

Today the focus is on Chapter 5: "Log Cabins." This is my favorite chapter! When I was first learning to quilt, my mom introduced me to Log Cabin blocks. The idea, she told me, was to build a block by sewing strips around a square. I really connected with this straightforward idea of construction.

Quilt no. 13 is "Parfait." My mockup uses a mix of Little Miss Sunshine, Sugar Pie, and Farmer's Daughter by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics. This is a great scrap quilt!

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Michelle White! You can check out her version on Instagram @michelle.made.this. Here's a peek of hers made in Zip! fabric by Rashida Coleman Hale for Ruby Star Society.

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Quilt no. 14 is "Potluck." Fabric is Feed Sacks in True Blue by Linzee McCray for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Tara Cherry. Here's a peek of hers, see more at her Instagram @mommyhead.

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Quilt no. 15 is "In the Mix." My mockup uses The Good Life by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer guest for Stargazing is Katie Madsen! Find her on Instagram @katiemadsendesigns. She used Walkabout by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda Fabrics.

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Quilt no. 16 is "Smart Cookie." Fabric is Meraki by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Melissa Corry at Happy Quilting. You can check out her blog here, on Instagram @happyquiltingmc, and on Facebook here. 

Jelly Filled Parade {Chapter 4}

Welcome to Day 4 of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Every day this week, I'm sharing a little about my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips chapter by chapter. If you've been following along, you also know I have invited a few of my favorite designers to add their own spin to designs from my book. They're each giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! 

Today the focus is on Chapter 4: "Half-Square Triangles." This is another beginner technique to add angles to blocks--but creates individual triangle units within a square. 

Quilt no. 10 is "Cookie Cutter." My mockup uses Return to Winter's Lane by Kate & Birdie for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Amy Smart at Diary of a Quilter. You can check out her version on her blog, on Instagram @diaryofaquilter, and on Facebook here. Here is a little peek, I think it's just darling in her new Sugarhouse Park fabric!

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Quilt no. 11 is "Parade." Fabric is Nest by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Allison Black at AB Quilting Studio. You may recognize her name, she does a lot of long arm quilting for me and has such beautiful work. You can check out her version of Parade on Instagram @abquiltingstudio, and on Facebook here. She used the Bee Creative and Bee Inspired fabric lines by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics.

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Quilt no. 12 is "Stargazing." My mockup uses Quill by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer guest for Stargazing is Stacy Iest Hsu! Find her on Facebook here and Instagram @stacyiesthsu. Here's a little peek at her take on Star Gazing in her cute Safari Life collection for Moda Fabrics.

Jelly Filled Parade {Chapter 3}

Welcome to Day 3 of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Every day this week, I'm sharing a little about my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips chapter by chapter. I've invited a few of my favorite designers to add their own spin to designs from my book. They're also giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! 

Today the focus is on Chapter 3: "Easy Corner Triangles." This is the technique of adding simple angles to blocks. It's amazing what begins to take shape with these simple angles.

Quilt no. 6 is "Cake Box." My mockup uses Le Vintage Chic by AGF Studios for Art Gallery Fabrics, background is Bella Solid in Tea Rose for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts. You can check out her version on her blog, on Instagram @corianderquilts, and on Facebook here. Here's a peek at hers in Sugar Creek fabric!

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Quilt no. 7 is "Gridlock." Fabric is Play All Day by American Jane for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is April Rosenthal of Prairie Grass Quilts. You can check out her version on her blog, on Instagram @aprilrosenthal, and on Facebook here.

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Quilt no. 8 is "Cookie Jar." Fabric is By the Sea by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake designs (I opted for fat quarters instead of a Jelly Roll).

- - - > The guest designer guest for Cookie Jar is Michelle White! Find her on Instagram @michelle.made.this. Here's a peek at hers:

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Quilt no. 9 is "Heartthrob" Fabric is Garden Variety by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Fat Quarter Shop. You can check Kate's version of Heartthrob on their blog, on Instagram @fatquartershop, and on Facebook here. Here's a peek--I'm totally smitten!

I also recently mocked up this quilt in my upcoming collection Bloomington. Sherri McConnell pieced this for me and Marion Bott quilted it. It's a favorite for sure!

Jelly Filled Parade {Chapter 2}

It's day 2 of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Every day this week, I'm sharing a little about each chapter from my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips. I've invited a few of my favorite designers to reinterpret quilts from the book. They're also giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! 

Today the focus is on Chapter 2: "Strip Piecing." This involves sewing 2½" strips together into a column or "strip set." From there, you can subcut striped squares or rectangles that can be restitched into scrappy patches. 

Quilt no. 3 is "Hand Mixer." This is a great beginner introduction to strip piecing and is super quick to piece. It takes 32 precut strips 2½" x WOF. Fabric is Yucatan by Annie Brady for Moda Fabrics.

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Quilt no. 4 is "Checkerboard." Strip piecing brings these sixteen-patches together quick; then set them on point for a secondary checkerboard look. Fabrics are Beach Road by Jen Kingwell Designs for Moda Fabrics, background is BasicGrey's Grunge in Charmed.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Sherri McConnell at A Quilting Life. You can check out her version on her blog, on Instagram @aquiltinglife, and on Facebook here. Which print do you think she'll pick for her background?

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Quilt no. 5 is "Petit Fours." This is one of the few quilts in the book that uses multiple Jelly Rolls (54 precut strips 2½" x WOF total). I combined a couple Christmas groups--Swell Christmas by Urban Chiks + Vintage Holiday by Bonnie & Camille (both for Moda Fabrics). 

- - - > The guest designer guest for Petit Fours is Susan Vaughan! Fun fact--she's my pattern tester and played a huge part in editing of the book! I don't know what I'd do without her. Find her on Instagram @thefeltedpear.

Jelly Filled Parade: {Chapter 1}

Hello friends! Welcome to the first day of the Jelly Filled Quilt Parade! Each day this week, I'll be sharing a little about each chapter from my book, Jelly Filled - 18 Quilts from 2½" Strips. I've invited a few of my favorite designers to play along and show us quilts from the book with their own spin. They will each also be giving away a copy of the Jelly Filled book, so be sure to stop by their websites to enter! Get ready for inspiration galore!

Today the focus is on Chapter 1: "Keeping it Simple." The idea is to do as little to the 2½" strips as possible--meaning simple subcutting of the strips + simple block assembly.

Quilt no. 1 is "Marbled Cheesecake." As you can see, each Jelly Roll strip is subcut and staggered to create a herringbone sort of design. In the book, I have used a Jelly Roll of Sunnyside Up by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics with BasicGrey's Grunge in Vanilla as background as mocked up below.

- - - > The guest designer guest for Marbled Cheesecake is Holly at Maker Valley! Here's a little peek of her scrappy version--head to her blog to see the full quilt! If you want to make one just like hers, she even has the low volume 2.5" rolls + the colorful 2.5" rolls available in her shop! You can find her on Instagram @makervalley and on Facebook here. Quilting by Kaitlyn Howell at Knot and Thread Design.

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Quilt no. 2 is "Sprinkles on Top." Like Marbled Cheesecake, the block assembly is straightforward. This design alternates white and low volume print backgrounds to create a subtle checkerboard pattern. My mockup below is made in Catnip fabrics by Gingiber for Moda Fabrics.

- - - > The guest designer for this quilt is Gracey at Burlap and Blossoms. Watch for her version on her blog, on Instagram @burlapandblossompatterns, and on Facebook here.

Jelly Filled {Quilt Parade}

Quilt: Parade (found in the Jelly Filled book)
Fabric: Nest by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics
Pieced by: Vanessa Goertzen
Quilting: Marion Bott

Next week, get ready for a whole new look at the Jelly Filled book! I have gathered a few of my favorite designer friends who have added their own spin to the quilts from the book and will be sharing them all next week. This means more inspiration for you!

Things will kick off on Monday here! I'll be posting every morning, covering one chapter of the book and the quilts within. I'll tell you which of my friends to visit to see their interpretations. Hope you'll join us for fun and prizes!