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"Autumnal" Free Quilt Block Pattern for Moda Blockheads and Color Studies

5/25/2022

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Chelsi Stratton brings us block #10 for Moda Blockheads4 called "Autumnal." This free block pattern can be found through Chelsi's blog (click gray bar to be taken there). You can also follow Chelsi on Instagram @chelsistratton
Chelsi Stratton Blog for Autumnal Quilt Block
There are not too many color studies this week since I this block just looks so good as a leaf. Although it is fun to deconstruct the block and just see it as shapes, I prefer the leaf for my own quilt in simple greens to go with my pink, orange, yellow and green quilt. However, I'd love to see this block made up in a quilt with fall gradations like the top row with parts of the leaf being golden yellows and parts being the deep reds of fall beauties. I also gradated the background grays to black to emphasize the lighter and darker parts of the leaf. 
Autumnal Free Quilt Block Pattern Color Study Moda Blockheads
It is fun to play with the shapes and see how we can pull out an arrow, just treat it like HST color play or an angled bowtie. Looking at the shapes this way suggests more directional movement vs an object. 

For my quilt, this green leaf will live in a corner of the orange small row. I was hoping to have some reference to the bigger corner leaves by repeating the green for leaves within the inner smaller row. I've used fabrics from Carolina Lilies for both the greens and for the tonal cream background.
Autumnal Free Quilt Block Pattern in Robin Pickens' Carolina Lilies Moda Blockheads
Autumnal Free Quilt Block Pattern in Robin Pickens' Carolina Lilies Moda Blockheads
Nice to have another green block in the group! I think my bonus block of greens was feeling a little lonely and needed a friend. How fun to find it in a lovely green leaf!
​Thanks Chelsi for this sweet block!

Free Quilt Block Patterns in Robin Pickens' fabrics Moda Blockheads
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Free Quilt Block Pattern "Cross My Mind" from Brigitte Heitland for Moda Blockheads and Color Studies

5/18/2022

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Week #9 in Moda Blockheads is brought to us from Brigette Heitland of Zen Chic. The block, "Cross My Mind" can be found on Brigitte's blog through clicking the bar below.
Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic Blog
I am doing a small orange block so my color play starts there. I like how the thinner sashing strips can be evenly spaced light and dark or ramp up and down in light and dark versions of a color, like steps. You can play with different colors or white and darks in the corner squares or treat them like horizontal color bands.
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens Color Studies
Black, gray and white with a pop of red in those side bars make a graphic abstract block where the negative space is just as important as the sashings. The color spectrum version plays with the subtle difference of white extending from center to outreaching arms or a darker center that creates a center like a receding window.
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens Color Studies
My orange block in 4.5" size uses Tangerine and Apricot Thatched with prints from Abby Rose.
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens fabrics
I also caught up with a couple of the bonus blocks, Star Turn and Zipper, which happen to also be in cheery oranges!
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens fabrics
Here is how my grid is potentially looking so far! And the group of blocks all together in yellow, orange, pink and green colors. 
Moda Blockheads quilt  in progress week 9 Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads quilt block 9 Cross My Mind in Robin Pickens fabrics
Thanks Brigitte for this week's block!
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Free Quilt Block Pattern "Wild Geese" from Kate Spain for Moda Blockheads and Color Studies

5/11/2022

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Kate Spain brings us this week's block in Moda Blockheads 4, called WILD GEESE. Visit Kate's blog for the free quilt block pattern. You can also see lots of Kate's wonderful work on instagram @katespain.
KATE SPAIN BLOG FOR WILD GEESE BLOCK
Wild Geese free quilt block from Kate Spain in Robin Pickens color studies
You could make these units as flying geese blocks and join them together, but the pattern shows them as individual half square triangles. I like that so I can play with multiple fabrics or shades of a color within the shapes. The center can be one solid color or a mix of colors or hues. Are the inside triangles different than the outside triangles? I flipped around some of the background white triangles in placement for image number 2- doesn't that look lively!  Or spit the background white and black in sections or to divide the block.  The lower left image makes an orange square surrounding the center with long and short rays. Next to it, the two tones of orange make me think of a motion trail with blades of a fan. This is such a nice block to experiment with!
Wild Geese free quilt block from Kate Spain in Robin Pickens orange fabrics
My block is the 4.5" size and I used a mixture of oranges from Thatched and Abby Rose. I liked a yellow center because it made me think of a sun or center of a flower. I am thinking of summer and bright days with this one. Happy sewing!
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Free Quilt Block Pattern "Game Board" for Moda Blockheads and Color Studies

5/4/2022

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Block #7 is GAME BOARD from Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. Visit Lisa's blog for the free quilt block pattern that you can make in the 4.5" or 9" size.
Lisa Bongean blog post for GAME BOARD
Along with Lisa's blog at lisabongean.com, you can also follow her at instagram @lisabongean. I was surprised to see this block from Lisa since I usually expect a LOT of little half square triangles from her but she has delighted us this time with adorable little squares. This game board gives a center space for good play with color and twinkling checkerboards.

I realized the borders can be a single color surrounding the checkerboard or maybe they are a continuation of the rows and lines from the center blocks. Broken color bands, 4 corner quadrants or straight across horizontal bands. Keep the center it's own distinct place or let those blocks share background color to make the perimeter more flowing.
Free quilt block Moda Blockheads Game Board with Robin Pickens color studies
Two color families here with pink play in the borders and randomly placed orange squares in the center. Or split it vertically half and half by color groups. The bottom two have more controlled block arrangements in the center with the last one forming a square within a square by darker squares.
Free quilt block Moda Blockheads Game Board with Robin Pickens color studies
Thatched rainbow, light to dark and dark to light. And that last one is like a little butterfly or insect buzzing on its merry way.
Free quilt block Moda Blockheads Game Board with Robin Pickens color studies
This week my block is a 9" pink version and I chose to make my 4 corners each a different print of pinks. I also used some of my new DOTTY THATCHED from the Tulip Tango line! I am loving the little dots and how whimsical and lighthearted they feel on the Thatched texture. Tulip Tango has this Dotty Thatched on cream, washed linen, princess pink, lighter pink, cranberry, chartreuse and medium and dark gray.
Free quilt block for Moda Blockheads of Lisa Bongean's Game Boardin Robin Pickens fabrics
Ah, pink and vibrant...I love deep cranberry and that energy of fuchsia. What will next week bring? More orange, more yellow, more pink? We will have to wait and see. Until then, happy sewing!
Free quilt block for Moda Blockheads in Robin Pickens fabrics
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Free Quilt Block Pattern #6 for Moda Blockheads Quilt Sampler

4/27/2022

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 Linzee Kull McCray brings us block 6 called "Spinning into Spring" and you can find the pattern through her blog at https://linzeekullmccray.com/blog or click the bar right below:
Linzee's blog for "Spinning Into Spring"
The half square triangles on this block can be shown with light and dark sides to get that feeling of a propeller in motion. They can also mix with the background color to make larger triangles. The plus sign inside is part of the windmill, or bars on large T shapes. The four side rectangles can define space by boxing in or blending into the center.
Color Studies from Robin Pickens for Moda Blockheads block 6
The rainbow versions plus one blue/green combo. I think of these as "Spinning into the Color Wheel" and like how the center plus almost glows out in ones with all color surrounds. 
Color Studies from Robin Pickens for Moda Blockheads block 6
This week my block will live in my large pink border. I also made both of the bonus blocks we have received so far. I did turn one side of "Mix and Match" to have the bars go in opposite directions, thinking of leaves as they branch out from their center stem. 
Moda Blockheads4 Linzee's Spinning into Spring Robin Pickens block
Moda Blockheads4 Bonus blocks Robin Pickens fabrics
Here are all my block so far! Summery colors and happy vibes! It feels like a summer party. Happy sewing!
Moda Blockheads4 Robin Pickens blocks
Moda Blockheads4 Robin Pickens blocks
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Free Quilt Block "Two of Five" in Moda Blockheads with Color Studies

4/20/2022

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Week 5 and Barbara Groves of Me. & My Sister Designs brings us "Two of Five".  I think of this as a Churn Dash but like how those HST corners can give the feeling of rounded corners, leaf points, candy in a twisty wrapping, or framing for a plus sign. 
Colorstudies from Robin Pickens for Moda Blockheads
To see more of Me & My Sister Designs creativity and quilt projects (and books and cool new work space), visit instagram at https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/. And to get your copy of "Two of Five" pattern visit the MODA blog today in the resources section or click the bar below to be taken there:
Moda Resources for "Two of Five" quilt block pattern
Another small one for me this week for my smaller orange ring of blocks. Still having some fun with Abby Rose and Thatched. I think my favorite of all the Thatched oranges is still this darker Tangerine. 
Moda Blockheads quilt block 5 in Abby Rose and Thatched
Now I'm hopping back to my secret sewing. I've got a new fabric line to show next month and two new patterns so I'm deep in sewing and pattern writing. 
Till next week... happy sewing!
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Free Block and Color Study forĀ  from Moda Blockheads Quilt Sampler- "Spinner"

4/13/2022

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Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs supplies this week's block "Spinner."  Visit Anne's blog for the pattern. You can also follow her on instagram @bunnyhilldesigns. Have you seen Anne's latest applique quilt project called "The Flower Farm"? It is SO sweet and charming! This block is pieced, and not applique, but I bet the center would be a lovely place to add an applique.
Anne Sutton - Bunny Hill Designs blog
Color Study by Robin Pickens of MBH4 Spinner quilt block
You can see the spinner shape showing up with the blades around the center square in the half square triangles. I thought it might be interesting to make the outer small squares in graduated shades of a color to give that feeling of motion or try a white center (assuming a white background fabric overall) and making the emphasis on the outer ring of blocks. Then I tried my rainbow mix of sides with both white or dark center.

Another version that Moda showed on the instructions as an alternate is with 4 patchwork squares in the center vs the one large square. I used some of my above ideas with the 4 squares in center and like how a continuation of color emphasizes the blades and the additional pieces can lend nicely to a feeling of transparency.
Color Study by Robin Pickens of MBH4 Spinner quilt block
I made the 4 1/2" block so I kept my center as one piece and showed off a Bramble Rose from the Abby Rose collection in it. Oranges play in the outer pieces. This block will live in the middle small ring of blocks on my quilt.
Spinner Quilt block MNH4 in Robin Pickens' Abby Rose
MBH4 layout Robin Pickens in progress
Four weeks down! I still plan on making the bonus block from last week. It will be another one of the small sized blocks. The 4 1/2" size is quite sweet.

Thanks for visiting and sewing along!
Spinner Quilt block MNH4 in Robin Pickens' Abby Rose
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Free Block and Color Study for Quilt Sampler from Moda Blockheads- "Kouign Amann"

4/6/2022

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I didn't know what Kouign Amann was so I had to look it up. After seeing photos and reading the description (you can see one here from Food Network), my mouth is watering for the buttery sweet layered treat. So what might my color studies for this Kouign Amann free block design from Laurie Simpson of Minick & Simpson have to do with this pastry? My block is going to live in my yellow center of my quilt so I am thinking of the layers of golden pastry and all that yummy butter. Layers and yellow sound good, but first let's get that free quilt block pattern! (if you need it, the box below will take you to Laurie and the pattern).
Kouign Amann block from Laurie Simpson
Triangles of yellow and orange with a big mix of white dance in and out of the shapes for a light and sparkly look. Or try more filled in triangles to make a solid shape, like the sunshine. When making the flying geese unit and the rectangles are the same color, it starts to look like ribbons with dovetail ends. The corners around them look like excited bursts or add in more colored pieces to make those corners into ribbons as well.
Color Studies from Robin Pickens for MBH4 Laurie Simpson block 3 golds
If we start to play with the background white it brings a whole additional layer of dimension to this block. The dark midnight blue makes those warm yellows and oranges pop. Adding in a gray to some of the outer HST makes the illusion of a jumping jack and really emphasizes the 4 corners. 
Color Studies from Robin Pickens for MBH4 Laurie Simpson block 3
I love trying the color quadrants on these blocks and this one is calling my name in the Thatched colors. I need to make this. 

This block feels like it is bursting with happy energy. I love it. Thank you Laurie for giving us this new pattern.
MBH4 Robin Pickens Solana quilt block 3 from Laurie Simpson
My block will be living in my yellow center within my quilt. I think the simple sunshine is perfect for my squared off garden theme. I've used Thatched and fabrics from Solana. I love the little sunflower seeds in white against the yellow background in the outer rays. 
MBH4 Robin Pickens Solana quilt block 3
Two happy yellow sunshine/flower blocks. If you are looking for Solana, I have some bundles of blue and yellow Fat Quarters at my shop and I'll also have some precuts that should be listed by this Friday.
Happy sewing!
MBH4 Robin Pickens Solana quilt block 3
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New Free Block and Color Study for Quilt Sampler from Moda Blockheads- "Cooee"

3/30/2022

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Week 2 with a new free quilt block pattern from Jenelle Kent of Pieces to Treasure and Moda Fabrics. Be sure to visit Jenelle's blog for the pattern download. I learned something new today- what Cooee means (it's on the second page of the pattern) in Australia.
Jenelle's blog for the quilt pattern- click here!
Are you sewing with traditional fabric or only solid colored fabric? These color studies can be applied to any prints, patterned or solid fabrics. So lets take a look at this block and have some fun with color placement in this quilt block.
Moda Blockheads Cooee with Robin Pickens color studies
I started out simple with a white center and treating the top, bottom, and sides as a checkerboard of two colors. Then tried a subtle shade in two of the center rectangles to delineate the center meeting point. I also wanted to look at all yellows/gold with a glowing white center, or with an orange center, like the center of a flower.

The one with orange corners flipped the color and white on those corner HST (third row) so we notice the diamond shape and the T within it more...or is it a T? How about big "L" letters with a shaddow side.  I was thinking of using this block in my pink row so I wanted to try that next as a pink flower (thus the orange pollen center). I finished up by trying my favorite color quadrants with shades of colors in four different families in each quadrant. I love how the light and dark variations look like overlapping shading.

As I was working on these, I had a thought that the ones with the orange centers reminded me of a pastry with the edges folded over the fruit filling. (And yes, I was hungry for lunch!) So I decided to have a little fun and make one a peach galette! The one to the left reminds me of braiding hair so I'm calling that "Rapunzel's Braid".
Moda Blockhead s Cooee with Robin Pickens color studies
I DID decide to go with pinks for my own quilt and made it with Thatched in Cranberry, Fuchsia, Primrose and an Abby Rose print in the center. 
Robin Pickens Cooee Quilt Block MBH4
Robin Pickens Cooee Quilt Block MBH4
Jenelle's IG handle is @piecestotreasure where she shows all those fabulous things you can do with her beautiful toweling. Check it out!

​And for other designers blogging for Blockheads, visit:
Vanessa Goertzen – https://blog.lellaboutique.com
Corey Yoder – https://corianderquilts.com
Joanna Figueroa – https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com
Janet Clare – http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Sherri McConnell – https://www.aquiltinglife.com
Brenda Riddle – https://brendariddledesigns.com/blogs/news
Vanessa Christenson – https://vanessachristenson.com/blog/
Betsy Chutchian – http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com
Crystal Manning – https://crystalmanningart.com/blogs/blog
Chelsi Stratton – https://chelsistratton.wordpress.com 
Kate Spain – https://kdspain.com/thedrawingboard
Lisa Bongean – https://lisabongean.com
Brigitte Heitland – https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
Jackie MacDonald – https://sweetfireroad.com/blog/
Camille Roskelley – https://camilleroskelley.typepad.com
Debbie Maddy – https://www.debbiemaddy.com/blogs/musings-of-a-fiber-fanatic
Anne Sutton – https://bunnyhillblog.com
Linzee Kull McCray – https://linzeekullmccray.com/blog
Laurie Simpson – http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com
Robin Pickens – https://www.robinpickens.com
Jan Patek – http://janpatek.blogspot.com
Stacy Iest Hsu – https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
Jenelle Kent – https://www.piecestotreasure.com/blog
Lynne Hagmeier – http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com
as well as Barbara Groves, Deb Strain, Tammy Vonderschmitt and Michelle White through  
MODA - https://my.modafabrics.com/tags/blockheads-4
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    Designer of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter.

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