Moda Blockheads 4 (Bonus Block 4)
Another bonus block for Moda Blockheads 4 two weeks in a row? How lucky are we?! Meet Bonus Block 4 is “Zipper” by Moda Fabrics. And speaking of luck, I’ve also got a giveaway for you today! (More about that at the end of this post.)
Bonus Block 4 “Zipper”
This block uses a simple easy corner triangle technique that is perfect for any skill level. I do have a little tip I learned recently… Typically the instructions have you sew along marked diagonal lines, trim the 1/4″ seam allowance, and press. My tip is to press the corners out first and then trim. The idea is to press the corner out and onto itself (wrong sides together). This allows you to see where the corner edges should line up – which helps keep the units in a nice rectangle shape . After the corners are pressed out, THEN trim the 1/4″ seam allowance (of the back piece of fabric). Another great tool is diagonal seam tape to save time not having to mark diagonal lines.
Fabric
The pair up top is in my new Flower Pot fabric collection. I love the light, airiness of the block with just taupe and cream. If using unidirectional prints, pay extra attention. It’s easiest if you lay all the pieces out for the whole block while you are piecing.
The sweet little block below is made in Love Note fabric. I love using the pale pink herringbone from the collection for backgrounds. Even though it is techinically unidirectional, I never mind if this one faces different directions. It adds such a great illusion of texture, don’t you think?
Quilt Along
For more information about this quilt along, check out my original Moda Blockheads 4 post here. At the bottom of the post, it includes a full archive of the Moda Blockheads 4 blocks released thusfar. Join the Moda Blockheads facebook page for more inspiration, and to share your progress.
Modern American Vintage Clapper Giveaway
Want nice, crisp looking blocks? A tailor’s clapper is a great tool. After pressing the seams of a block, I set a heavy clapper on top to help the seams stay flat. I have been using this lovely Jack William style clapper from Modern American Vintage to do the job. They have a huge assortment of beautiful, handcrafted clappers in their shop here. Someone is going to win a clapper just like mine!
TO ENTER:
- Subscribe to this Lella Boutique blog, or follow @lellaboutique on Instagram or Facebook
- Follow @modernamericanvintage on Instagram or Facebook.
- Leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite sewing tool is.
That’s it! Winner will be chosen Monday 5.16.2022. You are more than welcome to enter on the Instagram and Facebook posts as well for more chances to win. (Those posts should be up mid-morning.)
You may also remember the other gorgeous tools I got from Modern American Vintage – a set containing a handmade seam ripper, point turner, and hera marker. I love having tools that are just as beautiful as they are functional. So nice to have a matching clapper to add to the family.
Oh and here’s how to subscribe to the Lella Boutique blog to get new post notifications via email.
Good luck!
60 Comments
Hildy
May 13, 2022 at 5:07 amMy favorite sewing tool is my aqua rotary cutter
Shelly Boehnlein
May 13, 2022 at 9:46 pmI love my Magic pins!
Susan J
May 13, 2022 at 7:57 amMy favorite tool is That Purple Thang. I use it often to help guide my fabrics through my machine.
June
May 13, 2022 at 8:11 amMy favorite sewing tool is my sewing machine (haha). But seriously, my super fine pins have helped me with precision piecing.
Sarah Yoffa
May 13, 2022 at 8:32 amThanks for always providing links to the bonus blocks for us, Vanessa! My favorite sewing tool is my super fine pins also, I don’t know how I got along without them before now!
Cindy K.
May 13, 2022 at 8:33 amMy favorite sewing tool is my rotary cutter. Exact cutting improved my piecing so much I can’t imagine doing without. Jack’s going to be mad that I didn’t name him….LOL
Brenda
May 13, 2022 at 9:12 amMy favorite sewing tool is my rotary cutter! Beautiful 😍 block!
Diane Parham
May 13, 2022 at 9:36 amMy most-used tool is the Perfect Piecing Seam Guide. It is always right alongside my Featherweight. Such a multi-dimensional tool, — set seam guide, check 1/4″ seam stitching, draw lines on HSTs, small (1″x4″) ruler.
Robyn Williams
May 13, 2022 at 9:38 amMy favorite tool is actually 2. #1 is my wool pressing mat and #2 is my hand-held Oslo iron.
Beth Clements
May 13, 2022 at 9:43 amMy favorite sewing tool is my square up rulers. Plus my new ergonomic rotary cutter.
Terri Uden
May 13, 2022 at 9:46 amMy rotary cutter and various rulers that make prep for quilts easier.
Roxie Svoboda
May 13, 2022 at 9:52 amClover Fabric folding pen is my new favorite quilting tool – helps those bulky seams laynice & flat.
Would love to try a clapper!
Ruth Moore
May 13, 2022 at 10:43 amMy new favorite tool is the stripology xl ruler!
Sheri Arrigoni
May 13, 2022 at 11:07 amMy absolute favorite is the quick ripper electric seam ripper/Wahl pocket pro compact trimmer. It has saved me hours of time with Jack, the fabric doesn’t get caught at all and it makes life so much better for my hands.
Carolyn Kohut
May 13, 2022 at 11:11 amHard to choose just one, but I do my best piecing when I use a Stiletto.
Anita Hyman
May 13, 2022 at 11:20 amMy favorite quilting tool is my Martelli rotary cutter.
Chantalle
May 13, 2022 at 11:57 amI’d say my favorite sewing tool is my machine. It’s an Elna Carina purchased in 1984. Best money spent.
j sew
May 13, 2022 at 11:58 amI’ve read all of the above, I’m still newer at this. As I have had a macular hole in my for almost 10 years. So, I guess I would
say my OttLite is my favorite. I appreciate your tips here and will enjoy the journey more because of it…
Nancy B
May 13, 2022 at 12:52 pmMy newest favorite tool is the design boards I just finished!
Linda
May 13, 2022 at 1:13 pmI’ve recently discovered Quilters Select rulers. They are currently my favorite sewing tool. I am slowly replacing old rulers with these. These rulers and starching my fabric really help me with precision piecing. What a fabulous giveaway opportunity! And we get to learn what favorites others have.😀
Heather Kosbab
May 13, 2022 at 1:33 pmMy favorite sewing tool is my thimble, I use it for all hand sewing and it makes that task so much faster and easier,
Tammy Andricak
May 13, 2022 at 1:35 pmMy favorite tool is my 9 inch ruler
Claudia Weigant
May 13, 2022 at 2:53 pmI am pretty new to quilting, started two years ago. I have finished one quilt, one in progress, and the Moda Blockheads 4 QAL is my first!! I love it and learning so much about the designers. Being so new, I have to say my rotary cutter is my favorite tool. I have just recently seen Lori Holt use the clapper and it is on my wish list of quilting tools!!
Jane Werthmann
May 13, 2022 at 3:54 pmLove to learn so much from you – favorite tool 3×6. ruler
Jan Winkel
May 13, 2022 at 4:12 pmOOH favorite tool has got to be my sewing machine. I’ve been sewing on an ELNA for 45 years!
Mary E Miller
May 13, 2022 at 5:35 pmHands down my sewing machine. Nothing sews like a Bernina.
Diane Nelson
May 13, 2022 at 7:26 pmMy favorite sewing tool is my block lock ruler. It helps square up those half square triangles!
Kathy E.
May 13, 2022 at 8:43 pmI am a follower of both accounts on Instagram as _duchick_!
My favorite sewing tool is my Kai scissors. They are always sharp and very comfortable in my hand.
Sylvia
May 13, 2022 at 9:47 pmI am new to quilting. Working on getting necessary tools. My rotary cutter and rulers seems to be at the top of my short list!! Doing my first quilt along, Block heads 4. Struggling alittle but keep on trying. Learning alot.
Lynn L Young
May 13, 2022 at 11:58 pmMy new favorite sewing tool, a brand new seam ripper that is nice and sharp! My 40yr old one’s handle cracked, what a difference! It also has a playoc cap that helps remove threads!
Anne
May 14, 2022 at 2:25 amI would prefer Jack William style clapper. I am looking forward to the coming quilting designs. Love them!
Kerry E
May 14, 2022 at 4:36 amMy favorite tool aremy stripology rulers. Makes cutting super quick.
Pamela
May 14, 2022 at 5:04 amLately it seams my favorite sewing tool is my seam ripper. I did just purchase a larger block lock ruler and love it. I’m loving your blocks in Love Note (sew much sew) that I’ve started late, but using Love Note.
Deb
May 14, 2022 at 5:23 amMy favorite tool is my stiletto! So good to keep seams straight!!
Patty Jones
May 14, 2022 at 6:02 amBeautiful clapper – I love beauty and function wrapped up in one package!! It is nearly impossible to narrow down to one favorite, but I have to choose diagonal seam tape because I am not a fan of the time it takes to draw lines. : )
Karen Seitz
May 14, 2022 at 6:19 amBesides my wonderful Singer 301, my seam ripper is my most necessary and favorite tool. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Gwen Wehner
May 14, 2022 at 6:58 amQuilting tools are like the instruments in an orchestra – you need all of them to make something beautiful! I love my Quilters Select rulers for accurate cutting.
CHRISTINE C PEARL
May 14, 2022 at 7:01 amI find my stiletto is my favorite quilting tool. But, if someone invented a “SCANT quarter-inch” presser foot — that would probably become my favorite very quickly!
Cherri Kincaid
May 14, 2022 at 7:24 amMy Babylock is of course my favorite tool. But I couldn’t live without my large cutting table!
Kathi Polz
May 14, 2022 at 7:25 amMy newest favorite quilting tool is my Quilters Select rotary cutter. It has weight to it and makes cutting so much easier.
Suzanne Perry-Potts
May 14, 2022 at 7:25 amMinimizer glass. I like being able to view a quilt as a whole before I piece the blocks together.
Charlotte Brown
May 14, 2022 at 7:40 amI would say my wool mat is my favorite tool. It makes pressing so much easier.
Cheryl
May 14, 2022 at 7:42 amMy most used tool besides my wonderful Babylock Accomplish is my stash of seam rippers!
My favorite TOOL is my cordless Panasonic iron. Love. It!
Debbie Miller
May 14, 2022 at 7:52 amMy favorite sewing tool is my scissors-I LOVE scissors!
Denise Howard
May 14, 2022 at 7:54 amMy favorite tools are the block lock rulers. So easy to use and cut for accuracy. I love, love the clapper – absolutely gorgeous!
Sondra Hill
May 14, 2022 at 8:03 amMy favorite tools are Gridlock rulers.
Sondra Hill
May 14, 2022 at 8:04 amMy favorite tools are creative grid rulers
Rägi
May 14, 2022 at 8:17 amIt depends on the project and / or which is my newest! For right now, my new Quilters Select Ruler.
Julie Fromelt
May 14, 2022 at 8:34 amMy favorite tool is the Blade Saver Thread cutter. Wonderful when cutting apart pieces that I have chained stitched.
Denise Wilcox
May 14, 2022 at 8:44 amMy favorite tool is the rotary cutter but it wouldn’t work without my favorite rulers which are Creative Grids and my self healing mat. They all go together, I can’t use one without the other two. 🧵🪡
Deb E
May 14, 2022 at 9:42 amDefinitely my wool pressing mat – what a difference it makes when I’m working on quilt blocks! Thanks for the giveaway — I’ve wanted one of those clappers forever, so keeping fingers crossed. Those are a work of art!
Pam Roy
May 14, 2022 at 10:33 amMy favorite tool would be my cordless iron that I keep right next to my sewing station. So handy!
Sharon D Luedeman
May 17, 2022 at 6:54 amMy favorite sewing tool is my Karen Buckley scissors. So sharp and they have a soft grip handle on them. I also love my Panasonic cordless iron…I keep it on my wool mat on the side of my cutting table for when I trim my blocks.
lynn
May 14, 2022 at 12:32 pmI am thankful for very sharp pins, that go through fabric like it is butter. So satisfying! And, unrelated, I love your Flower Pot fabric and the blocks you are making with it : ) Thank you so much for this giveaway. I’ve been interested in trying a tailor’s clapper for a while.
Debra Grove
May 14, 2022 at 8:00 pmMy favorite sewing tool is my stiletto that was hand carved by my friend’s husband. I cannot sew without it to guide my fabric!
Maryanne Richards
May 14, 2022 at 10:10 pmMy favorite tools (supplies) are aurofil 50 thread and schmetz mitrotex machine needles. My piecing is much more accurate and the thread is wonderful for piecing and FMQ as well
Ali McDonnell
May 15, 2022 at 5:23 amThanks for this cute pattern! My favorite quilting tool is my little Rowenta travel iron that I use next to my machine. It gets nice and hot and presses my seams perfectly. Have been wanting to try a clapper to make them even better but haven’t gotten one yet.
Kim Brandt
May 15, 2022 at 6:37 pmI started quilting by tracing card board templates on to fabric then cutting them out with scissors! to me a rotary cutter is the best invention EVER! thanks for your lovely block and for the chance to win. Happy Sewing and designing!
Sharon D Luedeman
May 17, 2022 at 6:54 amMy favorite sewing tool is my Karen Buckley scissors. So sharp and they have a soft grip handle on them. I also love my Panasonic cordless iron…I keep it on my wool mat on the side of my cutting table for when I trim my blocks.
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