Hello Cotton Cuts Mystery Quilt Folks!
It is my month for the clue block for "Name of the Rose" quilt! I am block 3 and I received this fun pink envelope in the mail with fabrics and lovely Gingiber stickers! Oh I love those cute little animal stickers! Are you not sewing along yet but want to??  Check out Cotton Cuts for more info!

I sat down today to sew my clue. I have to confess I have never sewn with pre-cut pieces like this. And you know what- it was great! I liked that the pieces were already cut for me. I do a lot of cutting and I have some issues with my wrist when I cut. It gets sore and swollen because I have some arthritis. So having precut pieces was quite a treat! Also, the pieces having the angled corners also meant that I did not have to do ANY TRIMMING! That was wonderful!

I just followed the directions and diagrams. It was easy and fun! I liked how accurate all the pieces were.

As I was pressing these, my husband walked by and commented on how much he liked those fabrics. Hmmmmm. I'm thinking he prefers these over my florals! That's okay because I love these Gingiber prints too (so much that I am making a separate Christmas quilt with Merrily by Gingiber, with a similar look).

Here is my final block for this month's clue. I don't know the eventual quilt top image but I do know that this is a fun way to do a project! Thanks Cotton Cuts for including me!

Cotton Cuts is doing a quilt for a charity raffle to benefit Valley Industries at the end of this fun mystery quilt. Enter the RAFFLE by clicking the blue RAFFLE word! And visit the following designers as the clues progress:
May: Karen Lewis 
June: Heather Black 
July: Elea Lutz 
August: Jen Allyson 
September: Hilary Jordan 
October: Sheila Christensen Quilts and Kim Moos of Cotton Cuts 

Thanks Cotton Cuts and happy sewing everyone!!
​Robin

A fellow designer asked, in a group discussion, what ways social distancing has changed our businesses. I could think of numerous answers, from more downloadable patterns being bought, to less distributor orders coming in. But the biggest thing that occurred to me was YOUTUBE. 

We are watching it more here. I can tell lots of people are watching and using the computer, due to slower online speeds and lower resolution images (bandwidth issues). Even if it's slower, I sure appreciate still being able to connect with the rest of the world this way. Just like many other people in the country, we've had changes in our family with my husband's employer sending everyone home and shutting down his department. We don't know if and when we will go back to his job and I'm sure they don't know either. March 12th will stay in my head as the day he walked in the door just after lunchtime and my first thought was "what are you doing home NOW?" because it was about 4 or 5 hours earlier than he normally comes home. 

Oh boy. Things just got REAL real.

This is the time to stay in and stay healthy and not spread unknowing virus to someone else. I am thankful we are well. We know people who are sick. I know it could be so much worse. We are healthy. We are fortunate to have that and to have each other. My husband and I- we are a team and we are in this together.

So back to youtube...
My husband is home. My husband is very helpful. He's cutting fabric and filling pattern orders. He is the best. But he also has skills to edit and do animation. And I've been talking about doing youtube for awhile and I've just not had the time and the energy, and blah, blah, blah, a million other excuses for not doing it. It dawns on me that I can do something in my day that is in my control in a world that feels out of control. Sewing and making things brings me happiness and peace and a sense of accomplishment. I can share that. So I get beyond my fears and insecurities (did I look too fat on camera? Should I really be wearing THAT?) and jump in. Because now is the time. 

My kitchen is a great place to do this because it has a beautiful source of light. I just feel good in this room. We had a flood that ruined our floors a few years ago and had to rip out the whole kitchen and redo it so it also feels current and fresh to me now. And it's not cluttered. I love my workspace, my office/sewing studio, but its a little...um...full. Okay, a lot full. I think the kitchen also speaks to me of family and gathering and sharing and I think of those things with quilting too. So kitchen it is.

I was happy just to even get my first video up. We ended up replacing it because it needed a little re-doing. The second video still needed numerous takes. Luckily there is editing and you can cut some things out, like when I look at my husband, who is off on the side saying "slow down!!"  He is helping me to learn and get better. 

My goal is to have at least one new video a week. They are not long. Just to share something or give you a glimpse into my world. I can share my Moda Blockheads blocks. I can show quilts. I can just tell about some of the ways I combine color. I plan on doing a studio tour inside my oh-so-crowded sewing space (once its reasonable clean). Perhaps you have something you want to see? If so, let me know!

This feels like a needed change for me to be able to still connect to other quilters. We need to reach out within our homes and stay-at-home-orders and quarantine and still feel like we are part of a bigger picture of humanity and activity. I am so very thankful that I have sewing and quilting as an activity and business to keep me going and keep me occupied and sane. I hope to share a little of that slice of my world through this video connection. 

So check out my channel. Subscribe. Select the button to get notifications of new videos. Really, a week ago I didn't even know that button existed! Now I do. I hope you enjoy my little snippets. Stay in, stay healthy, stay productive. We are all in this together!

Stop by Janet Clare's blog for this week's Moda Blockheads pattern, Hampshire Star. I still have a few green blocks left to go in my green row so I'm working in that color family, towards the lighter end of my row (I'm going from darker to lighter in my blocks).

I made my blocks similar to the layout of lights and darks that Janet showed in her pattern. But what would it look like if we played with those half square triangles with our color and light/dark placement?

The first image follows the Hampshire Star layout. The second image treats the top, bottom, right and left middles like ribbons or banners with blue and green sides and triangles that play with sparkly light and dark. I emphasized an additional triangle within the inside corners with a darker olive color. The light and dark variations within the colors reminds me of cut crystal. On the bottom row I played with a darker color being in some of the background pieces. This can define the space with more of a suggested diamond center and more shapes created on the outer parts of the block. These blocks might not be considered Hampshire Stars anymore because of how the pieces are colored but I sure think they are interesting. I especially like how the image on the lower left reminds me of petals or interlocking oval rings. Wouldn't that be fun as a really large block? 

These layouts played with the half square triangles...but when I planned out my block I thought I could make a few less pieces (as well as less seams and points to match) if I used some flying geese pieces for some of the block. I still pieced my block in rows but used more flying geese and rectangles.

If you want to use flying geese I provided some sizes of pieces. This uses the one-at-a-time method with stitch and flip corners to make each flying geese unit.

These are my blocks- one of all Thatched. One of Thatched and other prints. I used three coordinates from the Abby Rose collection for the scrappier version. Since I am working on the lighter end of the row of green blocks I thought this would be a good time to try some Thatched fabrics flipped to the back. This shows the lighter range of color. From the back side the colors have a soft, light, chambray look.

I also enjoyed a subtle change in the background on some of the flying geese in the Abby Rose version so I see a hint of a plus sign surrounding the center (the curvy pollen dance lines on the 4 sides).

Check out the other Moda Blockhead designers to see their Hampshire Stars! Thanks Janet!
​Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
(Me) Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/

Miss Rosies Quilt Co and MODA FABRICS and SUPPLIES have made The Village pattern available for FREE during this time. We all need good projects to keep our minds and hands busy and it really does take a village to make change in our world! So I'm sewing along too with my second Village quilt! This one is Christmas themed. I have charm packs of Circa, Thrive by Natalia Bonner, Merrily by Gingiber and my Splendid collection, along with some other Christmas Sweetwater and assorted other scrappy mixes of red and green fabrics. Bring on the holiday cheer! I'm going to be ready by this next December!

These are my first 27 blocks. I am having a great time just planning doors and roofs and walls. Join in and make your own village! Make sure to share with #modavillage if you are on instagram! Stay safe and sew on!
The pattern is below and PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL QUILT SHOPS buy buying background fabrics for your Village quilt!

Who is running sewalongs with the Village?? Well, on Instagram I have seen several. For shops and inspiration check out the feeds for @sandyleehart, @emiandkostudio, @patchworkathomespun, @dequiltster, @twiddletails, @jules_quilts_, @sugarpinecottage, @inthemakingbham, and @superbuzzy23 ​
​

 Hello and happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a good time sewing with Moda Blockheads. I know for me, the sewing has been a really therapeutic time of my day with all that is going on. The hum of the machine, the focus on creating something, the calming energy of sewing and quilting...these have been a needed thing lately. Therefore I am especially happy to be providing a NEW BLOCK this week!

UPDATE: I apologize that we've had an issue with connecting with the server for the pattern. Its back up now! Click the link in the gray box to get it from Moda. OR I've uploaded a PDF directly to my site and that is the BLUE "DOWNLOAD FILE" directly below this paragraph. I'm sorry for any problems you've had with getting the pattern  (and keep reading for some color ideas):

Meet BLOOMING LOVE. This block can be done in so many ways. We just had Saint Patrick's Day and couldn't you see this as a four leaf clover? Or a simple pinwheel? This block was born from my Picket quilt and the 18" block I designed "Full Bloom."  I had a great time using the simple stitch and flip corners to make the picket fence or pointed ends to the sections. More info about stitch and flip is below. But for now, lets talk about how you can play with the block.

Half square triangles point to the center of the block with stitch and flip pointed ends extending from each one. A square is in each corner. These are some studies of how the block could look with different color play. For my block I was sewing I wanted to separate one section with a darker red to emphasize the heart within the pieces. I enjoy how it can look like both a flower and a heart, thus the name Blooming Love. Or what if you had two hearts, reflecting each other? In my mind, I originally thought of the pieces showing slight variations of color, either in scrappy mixes or light and dark hues. In the second row above, the 4 hearts meet at their points. Or, If you keep one side of the heart as a solid color and break the other side into two colors, and repeat and rotate that arrangement, it makes a pinwheel. The first two images on the third row show a gradation of colors that move around a wheel from light to dark. This could be really fun to try with some ombre fabrics. In fact, I'm updating this post to add some new pictures of one that I DID try with Ombre Confetti just today (Wednesday)! I made this one in the smaller, 6" size and used Thatched Burgundy for the background. On the last row you can see how it looks if you play with the corner blocks too or create some optical illusion with white center sides and dark corners.

If you haven't made stitch and flip blocks before, its pretty easy. A smaller square is added on a corner (right sides together) with a line drawn corner to corner, diagonally. Sew on that line. I sometimes just do a finger-press to crease the line into the fabric vs drawing it. After sewing, trim the corner off. I like to save those corners if they are big enough to use as half square triangles on other projects. If I'm saving them I will sew an additional seam 1/2" away from the first one (parallel the first seam), and then cut the corner off, leaving me with my little extra HSTs, already sewn. Since I'm making the 8" blocks for this project, the small stitch and flip corners are too little for me to make those extra blocks. I just throw the cut corners away or put them into my fabric cuttings that get donated for pet beds. 

After cutting the corner off, make sure you press the flipped corner open before adding the other corner, just as you would when making flying geese. I've forgotten and had to rip out the top part before. ​

For the half square triangles in the center part of this block (the D pieces on the instructions) I increase the measurement 1/8th of an inch over what the directions say so my blocks are a little bigger when I make them, then I trim up my blocks. I like to use Bloc-Loc rulers to trim my half square triangles.  I press the seam of my half square triangle to the dark side. Then the Bloc-Loc ruler ridge nestles up to the seam when you have the logo on the light side of the fabric. The ridge in the ruler helps it stay in place and aligned for you to trim the block. 

You also might need to trim up corners on the stitch and flip pieces. Any ruler works fine for this. After trimming all the pieces up you can join into rows, then join the rows and TA DA...your Blooming Love block is ready to share some cheer!

If you've been following me these weeks, you have seen I've been making my blocks in both all Thatched fabrics for a more modern, solid look, and in Thatched mixed with scrappier mixes of fabrics. I've used fabrics from Abby Rose on this one to bring in my pink tones. 

Here is the Picket quilt that was my original inspiration! It was lots of fun to design!

Thanks so much for the community and the energy of sewing along! I hope you have a great time with this block! Visit the other Moda designers to see their approach to this block:
Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
(Me) Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/

Thanks so much and happy sewing!
​Robin

The Taos pattern by Vannesa Goertzen can be found on her blog at https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/   It is a fun mix of half square triangles and blocks, with a nice patchwork center that can emphasize the structure or provide a strong chained diagonal through the block.

Instead of using all squares in the center, I decided to eliminate a few seams and use some rectangles in the square perimeter within the center. That is one of the things I like about this design. You can do a diagonal line of squares going through the center or play with the lights and darks to make other shapes within the patchwork. I decided I wanted a dark green Pine Thatched square to really emphasize that center. 

Don't you love that green Aurifil thread? I love that color of green! It is Aurifil's Light Leaf Green #1147 in Mako 50 weight. And it blends so well with my scrappy/Abby Rose version of the block. I've combined Thatched Chartreuse and Peacock with a small Pine corner square on the inner perimeter with Abby Rose fabrics in green. 

I think if I were choosing fabrics again, I might select something that separates that inner square perimeter more. I used some of the leaves from the roses and the colors are good but I'd like it to have a little more consistency to the overall print. However, I'm very happy with the "tin leaves" on the outer corner and having my little simple bee friend from Painted Meadow on the most center squares. 

I think its interesting to notice how the block looks different with the darker green to the inside of the half square triangles vs the outside (like the all-Thatched version).

I hope you are having fun with this Taos block and doing your own experimenting with the blocks, squares and half square triangles!

Happy Wednesday and Moda Blockheads day!! Laurie Simpson gave us the pattern to a lovely 9 Patch block this week! Check out Laurie's blog post for the pattern or check back with the facebook group on Friday for the pattern.  http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/2020/03/blockheads-3-week-8.html

Since the original pattern was for a 6" or 12" block I made an alteration so mine would fit with my other 8" blocks. For the Abby Rose scrappy version of my block, I made the nine patch in the 6" size and then added a 1" border around the block (1 1/2" cut pieces to make 1" finished size when sewn with other blocks). I wanted to continue the look for the darker squares creating an "x" shape so I finished the corners on the outside border with pink squares. 

If you want to add a border like this, I used the 6" Nine Patch block and added (4) 1 1/2" squares in each corner with (4) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles, with one to each side of the block.

I love putting the little rose bud in the center of this tiny block. The little leaves, curving lines and rose bud are all from my Abby Rose collection which should be shipping the middle of this month!! The burgundy oval squares are from my Painted Meadow collection.

For the all-Thatched version I made the corners with tiny blocks, the same size as the 4 squares surrounding the center piece. For each of my four outer corners, I assembled (4) 1" squares so they will be 1/2" finished size. I used the same 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles I specified above for the outer sides. I like how the little outer squares will mimic those inner squares. They seem so cute! I showed the scale with the thimble below for these squares in the center.

I like to see how the simple block made up with just Thatched looks compared to the one with the Abby Rose fabrics. The Abby Rose material with soft flowing curved lines added into the top, bottom and side squares makes a subtle plus sign within the block. I'm feeling some rosy love for this block this week!

Do you have a feeling of ZEST or a ZESTFUL approach to life? What is zest? I found this in Wikipedia, with Zest described in positive psychology: "Zest is a positive trait reflecting a person's approach to life with anticipation, energy, enthusiasm and excitement." (Peterson, C.; Park, N.; Hall, N.; Seligman, M. E. P. (2009). "Zest and work". Journal of Organizational Behavior. 30 (2): 161–172). That sounds pretty great to me!

How perfect to have a heart to describe this feeling of excitement, energy and positive attitude! I liked the simplicity of this block and thought it would be perfect to add a little patchwork mix of colors into the shape. With Thatched basics I used crimson, fuschia, tangerine, rose and one of the pinks from Abby Rose in 2 1/2" squares (2" finished size). I made the patchwork sides, then added the stitch and flip corners, then joined them together.

The scrappy version has the same Thatched crimson, fuschia, and rose fabrics plus cranberry. I wanted one of the darker shades to offset the dark red in the houndstooth check. And I loved putting in some of this Bonnie and Camille measuring tape fabric. What a fun way to "measure my love" of sewing! The curving lines in the background corner pieces is one of the coordinates of Abby Rose. 

Between Brigitte's (zen chic) LOVE block and this ZEST heart, I'm really feeling the the warmth of good feelings lately!

You can get the pattern from Lissa Alexander at  http://modalissa.com/2020/02/blockheads-zest.html/ . She also has some sweet pictures of little combinations of the block plus plans for a heart within a heart block. Its precious! Oh, yes, also Lissa is doing a giveaway on her blog so check it out!
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Visit other Moda Blockheads designers for their take on this week's block!
1.15 - Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
1.22 - Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
1.29 - Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
2.5 - Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
2.12 - Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
2.19 - Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
2.26 - Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
3.4 - Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
3.11 - Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
3.18 - Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
3.25 - Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
4.1 - Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
4.8 - Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
4.15 - Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/
​

I expect small pieces from Lisa Bongean and a learning opportunity! A few things about this block...triangle paper -yes. 7/8th ruler - yes. Lisa’s wisdom - yes.

I have this ruler that Lisa Bongean designed for Creative Grids. It has 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 markings in white and the 8th markings in black. I used the angle to line up and cut my squares into triangles as well. It is easier to keep track of those 3/8ths, 7/8ths, etc with this ruler.

Pay attention to those diagrams and instructions. Lisa recommends you starch your fabrics before cutting. I didn’t do that my first time through making these blocks and I should have. I say “first time” when it was really the second time since I made a mistake on joining my centers the first time and started over. Yes, I’ve made these more than once. My third go-round was doing the Thatched and prints mixed block (vs all Thatched). Then Lisa Bongean saw my blocks at Road to California and gave me some constructive criticism. 1. I should have starched my fabrics. 2. I should have shortened my stitch length and 3. I used the wrong thread color and it showed (cream thread with dark burgundy fabric= no, no). I appreciate honest feedback and I believe it when she says “I just want you to be the best you can be and improve.” I want that too. SO I made my block...again.

This image below shows old seams vs new, starched and dark thread seams. You can see the little light threads in the old one. I still probably needed to shorten the stitch length even more but I’ll save that change for my next Moda Blockhead Lisa Bongean pattern.

I also made the coral pink inside the block middle a little lighter. Tweaks. I keep learning.... Thanks Lisa for your wisdom and for sharing that knowledge! I appreciate it.

Follow along with the other Blockhead designers:
1.15 - Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
1.22 - Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
1.29 - Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
2.5 - Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
2.12 - Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
2.19 - Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
2.26 - Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
3.4 - Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
3.11 - Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
3.18 - Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
3.25 - Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
4.1 - Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
4.8 - Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
4.15 - Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/
​

Jenelle Kent has a charming new book out with Martingale, Farmhouse Fresh. The projects are absolutely lovely! They use 16" wide toweling, which Jenelle has with Moda Fabrics.

This Rock Pool Toweling in the seafoam color is such a fun combination with Abby Rose! The modern farmhouse look of the toweling works so well with the cabbage roses and pink, green, orange and seafoam colors in Abby Rose.

The ends are made with patchwork squares that add such a nice mixture of colors. My friend Susan, the Felted Pear (@thefeltedpear on IG), had the lovely idea to add some applique and a label and I think it is such a nice touch! Jenelle has numerous applique projects in the book and her needle-turn work looks so good on the toweling. I usually do fusible raw edge applique and I think that works well on this fabric as well.

This cover ends up being a perfect size for my Juki TL2200 sewing machine! Its my main piecing machine so its always out and definitely deserves a pretty cover.

I also like the way this side patchwork looks from the end of my work space.

If you are interested in winning a digital copy of Farmhouse Fresh by Jenelle Kent, head over to my instagram feed and enter! I'll be drawing a winner from people who follow me @robinpickens, Jenelle @piecestotreasure and Martingale @martingaletpp on Instagram and enter on my IG sweepstakes post in my feed. Jenelle will notify winners on February 25th of the IG book tour!

Other IG posting peeps to check out for the IG book tour:
@piecestotreasure
@martingaletpp
@modalissa
@gailpandesigns
@robinpickens
@quiltedmoose
@karenatsomerset
@janeteclare
@helen_stubbings
@debbie_maddy
@justcarrieintexas
@corianderquilts  

​Happy sewing!!