Tuning My Heart Quilts
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Tutorials
    • Tutorials
    • We Can Build a Snowman BOM
  • Shop
  • Free Patterns
  • Recipes
  • Library
  • Pattern Testers
  • Contact Me

Moda Blockheads:  Block 9-Ohio Star Variation

5/5/2017

 
What a fun block from Jo Morton this week.  You can find the pattern by visiting Her blog here:  ​http://jomortonquilts.com/2017/05/03/block-9-2017-moda-blockheads-bow/
There have been a lot of beautiful blocks posted on the Facebook page for this
​Block of the Week.  I hope you will come join in the fun.
Picture
For this block I have cut some of the squares larger than the directions give
in order to trim them to size.  I cut squares C and D to 3-3/4 inches.  (A and B could also be cut larger-2 inches instead of 1 1/2 inches if you want to trim these down as well.  I mention this later in the tutorial so be sure and read through first.)
I find it really helps to starch my fabrics before beginning.
Picture
​So I begin with the A and B squares.  I love making little four-patch units.
With right sides together I join an A square to a B square.  This is perfect for chain piecing.  
I have my needle in the down position so that when I add the next two pieces to be sewn together I place them right at the needle.  My stitch length is 2.1 or 12 stitches to the inch.
Picture
Picture
It feels rather like a party after stitching these together-reminds me of a row of pennants.
Picture
Time to press these little units.  First I set the seam by setting the iron on the unopened seam.  Next I open the unit up and again, set the iron on the piece to press it.  I do not slide my iron around on the fabric as this can distort the seam, instead I lift it up and down to "press."
Picture
Setting the Seam
Picture
Pressing Unit Open
Picture
It is time to put these units together to make a four patch.
Picture
The wonderful thing about this is that my seams will naturally nest together.  
​With this small unit I am not pinning at the seam.
Picture
A handy little tip: As you sew these units have the seam allowance facing up towards the needle.  This will help to push those two seams together.
Picture
Before pressing I check to see if my seams line up nicely-Yay, they do!!  
Picture
Here is a little trick I use to get these seams to lie flat.  I use my thumbs to pull the seam apart so that it goes in opposite directions.  Can you see that little four patch that appears in the middle now?
Picture
Picture
 I finger press this open before pressing with my iron on the back and front.
Picture
I want to check on the size of my unit now.  Time for a little math.
This unit needs to measure 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.  That means my center needs to be 1/2 of that, in this case 1 1/4 inches.  You can see how I have lined up the 1 1/4 inch marks on my ruler with the center of the block and the seam lines.  I trim away any extra on the right and top sides, rotate the unit and trim the remaining two sides if needed.  This method is helpful if you want to start with bigger A and B squares to be sure you get the needed 2 1/2 inch size.  (You could cut your A and B squares to 2 inches if you feel more comfortable trimming these to size.  As you can see the given cutting directions do not leave you much extra for trimming.)
Picture
Now I can set these aside and begin work on the hourglass units.  To start I draw a diagonal line down the middle of each C square.
Picture
Picture
With right sides together I join the C and D squares
​sewing 1/4 inch from each side of the drawn line.
Picture
Picture
I cut on the drawn line between the two rows of stitching
​which will give me two Half-square Triangles.
Picture
I bring these to my little pressing table and set the seam then press open.
Picture
Picture
Placing the two Half-square triangles together I match the seams.
Picture
Just like before I draw a line down the center of these units.
Picture
I sew 1/4 inch from each side of the line.  Notice I have the unit so that the seam allowance is facing towards the needle.  This will help push those two seams together.
Picture
Checking to see if my seams match up before sewing down the other side of the line.
Picture
Once I have sewn 1/4 inch from each side of the diagonal line
I cut the units apart on the drawn line, just like we did before.
Picture
These seams can also benefit from opening them up like I did with the hourglass units.  Sometimes you have to loosen up those threads at the join.
Picture
Now I just need to press them and I have my hourglass units ready to go.
Picture
Picture
Time to trim.  There are a couple of important things to do in this process.  First make sure the diagonal line on the rule is laying on top of the diagonal seam of the unit.  Second, I am using the center measurement for the 2 1/2 inch size I need so have laid the 1 1/4 inch mark of the ruler at the center intersection.  Now I can trim the first two sides.
Picture
I rotate the block and line up my ruler again before trimming the last two sides.
Picture
Okay, time to put all of the pieces together!
​First I will join the units together into rows.
Picture
Picture
I am going to press these so that the top and bottom row have seams going to the left and the center row seams will go to the right.
Picture
With my rows sewn together I can join them now too.
Picture
Before I proceed I check to see that my center squares measure the correct finished size- 2 inches across.  If not I need to make some adjustments to my scant 1/4 inch seam.
 I would rather find out now how I am doing instead of wondering
​why my finished block is the wrong size.
Picture
I prefer to put a pin in where the seams join.
​ It is also helpful to slow down as you come to the bulk of the seams.
Picture
Here is how I deal with those seams.  I slow down, and stop with my needle in the down position right as I come to the pin.  (A stitch away.)  I carefully remove the pin, make sure the edge of my fabric is still lined up with the edge of my presser foot and begin sewing-very slowly as I go over the seam right where the stitching intersects.
Picture
There it is with a butterfly in the middle and a couple of ladybugs scampering in the edges.
Picture
I have heard from so many of you how much help these tutorials have been in successfully making your blocks.  Your notes of encouragement are very sweet.  Thank you!  I enjoy seeing your blocks when you post them to our Facebook page too.
​Until next time...

Happy Quilting!!
Picture
Jean Walker
5/8/2017 07:43:04 pm

You do such a great job of showing exactly the how to, step by step process and instructions!! I love your site! This close up shots are the best!! I appreciate your work very much and look forward to putting your techniques into practice :)

Debra
5/8/2017 08:44:15 pm

Thank you so much, Jean! If you share your photos to the Facebook group be sure and tag me -Debra Davis

Cathy Beal
8/13/2020 08:38:16 am

Debra, thank you so much for keeping these tutorials on your blog! Life got in the way and I had to put the blockhead project away. But now that I am retired and we are in the time of Covid, I am picking it back up. I have learned so much from you and I refer to your blog all the time! Just wanted you to know that you are so appreciated!!!


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    New Blocks released on the 1st
    Picture
    Picture
    Welcome to the site of Debra Davis-a woman who loves the Lord and loves to quilt.

    Would you like a free copy of the Log Cabin Block I am working on?  Sign up for my newlsetter or blog updates.
    Picture
    Subscribe to my Newsletter delivered once a month.
    Click HERE

    Subscribe to Blog Updates

    * indicates required
    Email Format

    Please select how you would like to hear from Tuning My Heart Quilts.

    You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at contact@tuning-my-heart.com. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

    We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

    Join Me on Facebook

    ​

    My other blog where I share about my walk of faith:
    Sitting at His Feet

    Picture
    Wednesday Wait Loss Featured
    I design my quilts in EQ
    Picture

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies

    RSS Feed

-Shipping Policy

Privacy Policy
Contact Me

Tuning My Heart Quilts by Debra Davis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.tuning-my-heart.com.


Copyright 2010-2022 by Tuning My Heart Quilts, LLC. No part of this website can be reproduced without written permission from the author. All rights reserved.

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Tutorials
    • Tutorials
    • We Can Build a Snowman BOM
  • Shop
  • Free Patterns
  • Recipes
  • Library
  • Pattern Testers
  • Contact Me