I managed to put my book down and go sew last week's Block 6 of the ModaBlockheads Sew Along. This one was designed by Lisa Bongean, who is known for her multitudes of teeny tiny pieces in her blocks. I decided to go with the 8 1/2 inch size for this one, which I hoped might be a bit more forgiving. The half square triangles in this block finish at 1 inch. I did use triangle papers to help with the accuracy.
I had some issues with my block coming together perfectly in the center, but you can't really see it due to the busy medium value fabric in the pinwheel. I can live with it.
I do have a tip regarding triangle papers to share with you.
Some of you may avoid using triangle papers because it is such a pain to rip those darn papers off. It is so annoying to rip away and still be left with bits of paper stuck in the threads that you have to take the time to pick away at. I learned this great idea from Carrie Nelson in either a YouTube video or one of her Moda blog posts, I can't recall which. At any rate, here is what you can do to make the paper ripping process a breeze. Instructions are for right-handed people. Just reverse if you are a lefty.
First off, when you stitch through your triangle paper, do shorten up your stitch length. This makes the tear away process easier as well as the following technique.
Hold your triangle as shown, with your left thumbnail pinching along the seam line (through all layers), your right thumb and fingers holding just the paper. Notice thumb/finger placement is in the middle of the triangle, not on the ends. Grippping firmly with your left thumb and fingers, pull the paper sharply away with your right hand. It will come cleanly away along the stitched line. That remaining strip of paper under your left thumb comes away easily. No fussy paper bits left behind to pick off.
Again, you are not ripping the paper from top to bottom, you are giving it one sharp tug right from the middle.
Do try this. It makes tearing those papers away pretty painless.
Hope your week is off to a good start. Husband, daughter, son in law, grandchild all recovering well from the flu, albeit with lingering coughs. I am still standing and symptom-free.
27 responses to “ModaBlockheads Block 6”
Glad to hear that you’re still flu free. I recently made a quilt with Moda’s cupcake mix papers. Those pieces were so small! But following Carrie Nelson’s demo on removing the papers, they came off so easily – just as you explained.
That’s a pretty block, by the way!
Glad to hear that you’re still flu free. I recently made a quilt with Moda’s cupcake mix papers. Those pieces were so small! But following Carrie Nelson’s demo on removing the papers, they came off so easily – just as you explained.
That’s a pretty block, by the way!
Glad to hear that you’re still flu free. I recently made a quilt with Moda’s cupcake mix papers. Those pieces were so small! But following Carrie Nelson’s demo on removing the papers, they came off so easily – just as you explained.
That’s a pretty block, by the way!
Knocking on wood that you continue avoiding the flu! Your block is pretty! Carrie’s paper removal technique is right up there with so many ‘hints’ she’s given quilters over the years! ❤️ Thanks for sharing!
Knocking on wood that you continue avoiding the flu! Your block is pretty! Carrie’s paper removal technique is right up there with so many ‘hints’ she’s given quilters over the years! ❤️ Thanks for sharing!
Knocking on wood that you continue avoiding the flu! Your block is pretty! Carrie’s paper removal technique is right up there with so many ‘hints’ she’s given quilters over the years! ❤️ Thanks for sharing!
Good advice on the paper removal chore. I myself try to avoid tiny triangles. Since you mentioned Carrie, where is she? I met her in OKC at a quilt shop where she was presenting. But I don’t see her much representing Moda blog-wise. Miss her lots. Thank goodness you missed the flu. I’m thinking I got the right mix in my shot this year. Also my grandson is not so susceptible as he grows so I am not catching germs from he and his classmates. Yay!
Good advice on the paper removal chore. I myself try to avoid tiny triangles. Since you mentioned Carrie, where is she? I met her in OKC at a quilt shop where she was presenting. But I don’t see her much representing Moda blog-wise. Miss her lots. Thank goodness you missed the flu. I’m thinking I got the right mix in my shot this year. Also my grandson is not so susceptible as he grows so I am not catching germs from he and his classmates. Yay!
Good advice on the paper removal chore. I myself try to avoid tiny triangles. Since you mentioned Carrie, where is she? I met her in OKC at a quilt shop where she was presenting. But I don’t see her much representing Moda blog-wise. Miss her lots. Thank goodness you missed the flu. I’m thinking I got the right mix in my shot this year. Also my grandson is not so susceptible as he grows so I am not catching germs from he and his classmates. Yay!
Thank you! Great tip and demonstration!
Mary
Thank you! Great tip and demonstration!
Mary
Thank you! Great tip and demonstration!
Mary
OMG Such a great tip tp use with PP. The minute I saw a block as I came to your post I immediately thought that you are doing well and hopefully the rest of the family is improving. Definitely adding this tip to my notebook.
OMG Such a great tip tp use with PP. The minute I saw a block as I came to your post I immediately thought that you are doing well and hopefully the rest of the family is improving. Definitely adding this tip to my notebook.
OMG Such a great tip tp use with PP. The minute I saw a block as I came to your post I immediately thought that you are doing well and hopefully the rest of the family is improving. Definitely adding this tip to my notebook.
really lovely block!
really lovely block!
really lovely block!
what a pretty block. I learned in a class to press before you pull the paper off. It sort of sets the stitches and helps a bit. glad you are all on the mend.
what a pretty block. I learned in a class to press before you pull the paper off. It sort of sets the stitches and helps a bit. glad you are all on the mend.
what a pretty block. I learned in a class to press before you pull the paper off. It sort of sets the stitches and helps a bit. glad you are all on the mend.
Sorry to hear of so much family sickness. I hope you stay well and that the Coronavirus stays away form all of us.
Sorry to hear of so much family sickness. I hope you stay well and that the Coronavirus stays away form all of us.
Sorry to hear of so much family sickness. I hope you stay well and that the Coronavirus stays away form all of us.
I hope early spring has quieted the nasty flu viruses. Sitting in some sunshine and hearing the birds sing is good medicine no matter what ails you. Best wishes to you and your family for good health.
Your block is lovely and I always take note of your tips. I have not used papers, but I have some ready to use for an upcoming project and will be trying your method.
I hope early spring has quieted the nasty flu viruses. Sitting in some sunshine and hearing the birds sing is good medicine no matter what ails you. Best wishes to you and your family for good health.
Your block is lovely and I always take note of your tips. I have not used papers, but I have some ready to use for an upcoming project and will be trying your method.
I hope early spring has quieted the nasty flu viruses. Sitting in some sunshine and hearing the birds sing is good medicine no matter what ails you. Best wishes to you and your family for good health.
Your block is lovely and I always take note of your tips. I have not used papers, but I have some ready to use for an upcoming project and will be trying your method.