It’s a new week and a new block for Moda Blockheads 4 free block of the week. This week is something special – Block 14 is an appliqué block “Bird on a Branch” by Jan Patek. Be sure to head over to Jan’s blog to download the free pattern and get all her tips & tricks to make this one. If you haven’t ever done appliqué before, this is your chance to give it a shot.

Block 14

Now, not everyone is comfortable stitching appliqué, so there is an alternate block option. The Block 14 alternative is called “Sharply Dressed” by Moda Fabrics. (Thanks, Moda!) I opted for the pieced alternate this time around.

Fabrics

The block up top is made in Love Note. There are some fun layout options for this block and I loved placing the pink to look like little bow ties to connect the sections.

The second set is made in Flower Pot fabrics. This ones were pretty easy to put together, loved making them! Once I stitched the easy corners onto the blocks, I just sewed the units into rows. I alterated the pressing direction from row to row so the seams nested nicely when it came time to sew the rows together. Because I made the 4.5″ finished version, it was hard to get the seams to lie flat. I had to use lots of steam and a heavy clapper to help me.

Quilt Along

For more information about the Moda Blockheads 4 free block of the week, visit my original blog post here. I keep a running archive of the blocks released thus far for a quick and easy reference.