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Moda Blockheads 3- Blooming Love

3/25/2020

44 Comments

 
 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):
bh3_11-robin-pickens-blooming-love.pdf
File Size: 729 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

BLOOMING LOVE BLOCK
Moda Blockheads 3 Blooming Love by Robin Pickens
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.
Moda Blockheads 3 Blooming Love studies
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.
Ombre Confetti used in Blooming Love block (and Thatched) by Robin Pickens
Blooming Love block with Thatched and Ombre Confetti
Once you have decided what you are doing with your arrangement, its time to get started on those pieces...
Moda Blockheads 3 Blooming Love Stitch and Flip
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. 
Stitch and flip blocks
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. ​
Bloc Loc rulers Half Square Triangles
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. 
Bloc Loc rulers for little half square triangles HST
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!
Moda Blockheads 3 Blooming Love by Robin Pickens Abby Rose
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. 
Moda Blo ckheads 3 Blooming Love by Robin Pickens Duo
Here is the Picket quilt that was my original inspiration! It was lots of fun to design!
Picket quilt by Robin Pickens
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

44 Comments
RB
3/25/2020 05:31:30 am

This is a beautiful block. Thanks for showing all the variations!

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 05:39:08 am

Thank you RB. I really enjoy trying things out on the computer and its a fun way to experiment with the possibilities.
Robin

Reply
Geneal Yardley
3/25/2020 06:56:55 am

I agree with everyone else. I really like the suggestions for different ways to very the block with color value.

Kimberly Keappler
3/25/2020 05:37:24 am

This is beautiful! I absolutely love all the examples of the color ways! I am motivated to play with many colors and fabrics. Maybe I’ll see how many I can do.

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Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 06:01:29 am

I'm going to make some more too Kimberly! I'm glad you like the examples. Have fun!
Robin

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Louise Lever
3/25/2020 05:43:16 am

Thanks.... this is a lovely block motivation for next project.

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Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 06:02:35 am

Thanks Louise! I have a few more ideas for this too. I am thinking it could be really cute as a pillow cover even.
Robin

Reply
Eileen
3/25/2020 05:52:38 am

Wow! I could see an entire quilt made of multiples of all the variations. I love it. Thanks so much for posting those!

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 06:03:27 am

Hi Eileen! You are right- that would be fun!! I just might have another project on my list now...
-Robin

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Carla Sue Webb
3/25/2020 05:54:52 am

It is amazing how many different looks this block attains simply by color choice and placement. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 06:04:22 am

Hi Carla! Glad you liked that. I love trying things out on the computer first and it is amazing how different the blocks can look!
Robin

Reply
Barb
3/25/2020 06:01:41 am

Love your block. This block will be so fun to try with different fabrics and placement of the light and darks

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:39:46 am

Thanks Barb! I'm going to play with some more too!

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Kristy Walker
3/25/2020 06:08:42 am

WOW! Thank you for this unique block AND showing all the different looks that can be achieved with simple fabric choices. I do believe this block will enter a lot of quilters "go to" blocks. Keep pushing us to try new things and take a chance.

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:41:28 am

Kristy, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I would be honored to have a "go to" block!

Reply
Jane Kimberling
3/25/2020 06:23:55 am

Sooo pretty! And such a versatile block. I love all the options! I’ve been saving all the instructions for MB3 but haven’t had the chance to start. Well, it seems I have a lot more spare time on my hands and I think I’ll try to jump in. I love your Thatched blocks, Robin. Would you have a recommendation on how many fat quarters would be needed.

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:50:11 am

Hi Jane! Its good that you can jump in whenever you want and there are no quilt police so you can make the ones you want in the way you want.

Its so hard to say how many fat quarters since there are options for different sizes. I'm doing all 8" blocks and I'd start with a fat quarter bundle or two and see how it goes. I'd have some fabrics that I know I can mix in to stretch it and a background fabric. I'm doing rows of rainbow colors so my fabrics are grouped by color family. I would estimate I'm using about 1-2 fat quarter bundles that have 30 fabrics each...just a guess.

Thanks Jane!
Robin

Reply
Jane Kimberling
3/26/2020 08:05:10 am

Thanks Robin! Btw....love the Ombré!!! WOW!

Alycia
3/25/2020 06:24:06 am

Hi Robin! Thank you for showing the illustrations of all of the variations for this block! It is amazing and I am sure there are even more possibilities. Also, thank you for the reminder to cut the HST squares a little bigger to get accurate HSTs. Love your block. Have a great day!

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:52:55 am

Hi Alycia! Yes, I'm not the most precise sewer so going a little bigger and trimming is usually a really good thing for me. I'm often just enjoying the rush of sewing and going a little too enthusiastically! When I do flying geese in a four-at-a-time method I slow down and sew more accurately.

Reply
Pat
3/25/2020 06:32:48 am

Thank you for the extra thoughts and ideas for this block I’m wishing I had more solids in my stash . Love your colors and design and the thatched fabrics line. I look forward to seeing your version of the weekly blocks. This is my first quilt along and a great project to be working on at this time

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 12:59:14 pm

Hi Pat! I think quilt alongs are so fun and such a good way to have community and interraction- certainly things that are needed now. I'm so glad you have joined in. I'm glad you are enjoying seeing my blocks- thanks so much for letting me know. As for solids, I look for fabrics with subtle prints without as much contrast within the designs when I don't have the solid I want, as a way of treating my prints more like solids. And scrappy print blocks can be SO great! Enjoy!
Robin

Reply
Vera
3/25/2020 07:01:52 am

Simple blocks beautiful block, colors combinations works so well. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

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robin
3/25/2020 12:59:46 pm

Thank you Vera!! Much appreciated!

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Betty
3/25/2020 07:14:54 am

Robin, thanks for the beautiful block! Can't wait to try the variations and experiment with colors in my fabrics. This would be a wonderful baby quilt.

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 01:01:06 pm

Hi Betty! What a great idea! I love the thought of this for a baby quilt. You could do numerous blocks or do the design as one big one. I love hearing people's ideas and learn so much from all of you and the brainstorming. Thanks!
Robin

Reply
Jacqueline Hale
3/25/2020 08:03:46 am

Thank you for the beautiful block!

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Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:59:25 am

My pleasure! Thanks Jacqueline!

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Erin French
3/25/2020 08:10:33 am

Thank you for the "love" block. During this time when we need a little extra love in our lives, due to distancing and worrying, I will plan a way to make the heart visible in my block made of yellows and blues.

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:56:07 am

Thank you Erin! Yellow and blues sounds lovely! Hearts can be in any color. I'm so glad you like this and yes, we can all use some love and connection right now.

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Joni
3/25/2020 08:46:27 am

Such a lovely design. This design is so versatile, I can't wait to play with it using some ombres. Thank you, Robin!

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/25/2020 11:54:44 am

HI Joni! I have some ombres that a friend gave me (leftovers from a whole quilt she made) and I'm going to try them out too! I love the V&Co Ombres! The colors are so yummy!

Reply
Linda Rizzardi
3/25/2020 09:30:59 am

Out of the ballpark again Robin!
Thanks so much for being such a prolific designer!
~Linda

Reply
robin
3/25/2020 01:02:03 pm

Thank you so much Linda! I love what I do and feel so blessed to work with Moda and have fun with all of you.
Thanks!
Robin

Reply
Sue singer
3/25/2020 02:44:11 pm

Love all the variations

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/26/2020 09:56:22 am

Thanks Sue!

Reply
Linda link
3/26/2020 04:49:34 am

LOVE this block, and oh my gosh the color variations are genius! And of course the fabrics are so pretty, as always.
Hope you and your family are staying well. :)

Reply
Ruth Thomann
3/26/2020 04:56:37 am

Thanks for taking the time to show us several possibilities. Seems like each week I make my block and then see someone else's idea that I wish I'd thought of trying for a layout. This week I've got several to choose from and plenty of time to do it :-)

Reply
Donna Bergeson
3/26/2020 04:12:53 pm

Thank you for doing this but I’m having trouble with the link. Can you check this please and thank you. I’m so anxious to make my block 😁

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/26/2020 05:17:38 pm

Hi Donna,
The link seems to have a problem so I uploaded it to another source. You can check again- I think I fixed it temporarily!
Robin

Reply
Linda link
3/26/2020 06:40:18 pm

Hi- I am trying to download or print block 11. I keep being sent to SCRIBD. and it wants me to sign-up for this. I really do not want to sign up for this. How can I get the block? I checked the files on the Moda Blockeheads3 Group and block 11 is not there yet. Please help. Thank you

Reply
Robin Pickens
3/27/2020 05:09:36 am

I've now added the file directly here as well. Click the BLUE "Download File". Sorry for the problems with server issues!

Reply
Pamela Klowak
3/27/2020 12:53:24 pm

Love all of the variations. It's going to be difficult to decide on one.

Reply
Laura F Roberts
3/28/2020 10:22:07 pm

Love your block...plan to do a table runner for next February. I can also vision this as being easily turned into a shamrock. Thank you so much!

Reply

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    Designer of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter.

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