Moda Blockheads 5 - Starling Block - Week 12

Hi there! For those of you that don’t know me, welcome! I am Heather Briggs, the quilt pattern and fabric designer for My Sew Quilty Life. I’m so excited to announce that I am a new Blockheads designer for Blockheads 5 and I am the block designer this week. I designed the Starling block. This is the first year I have ever participated in Blockheads and I’m jumping for joy! I don't sew star blocks often, so this is a nice change of pace. I typically design floral and whimsical blocks, but I am loving the BH5 star theme. I think my points are getting much better each week. Keep reading to see how I turned the Starling block into a flower and download your free quilt pattern. 

I was so honored when Moda asked if I would design a block for the Blockheads 5 program. The program is such a wonderful way to build your skills, meet the designers, and to be inspired. This is the 5th round of Blockheads and it has been going on for many many years. Some of you may have participated in the very first round of Blockheads–that was well before I got into quilting, but I have enjoyed looking at all the past quilts. 

The Starling block is just darling! It has been a while since I have made a star block, but I’m loving this block. Starling is a combination of a flower and star, I just had to squeeze a flower in somewhere. I love flowers! I added in something extra on the corners, so when several blocks are sewn into a quilt, you would have a fun secondary design. The possibilities are endless. Click the button below to access the Starling Block PDF pattern.

BH5 Block 12 - Starling Block

My Starling Block:

I made my Starling block 6” using my Flower Girl fabric collection. I used my favorite pink, yellow, and low volume from the collection. I just love how it turned out. I am little behind on my blocks, but I hope to catch up now that I am all moved into my new home. I am making all my BH5 blocks in the same collection and finishing them in my Star Dance Free Quilt Setting. I have shared this in a previous blog post, but to download three FREE quilt settings for the BH5 blocks, click the button below.

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Free BH5 Quilt Settings PDF

Flower Girl Fabric:

Now shipping!!! Great news, if you want to make your Moda blockheads quilt in Flower Girl fabric, now you can. The fabric is starting to ship to shops soon (March 2024). Check with your local quilt shops soon to see if you can get some Flower Girl fabric. 

Even though the block is supposed to be a star block, I couldn't help but to also make it look like a flower. The best of both worlds! What can I say? I just love flowers. If you reverse your fabric placement the block looks like a flower. See the above diagram for fabric placement.I love when you can change the color placement in a block to create a totally different block.

I have a surprise for you! I have turned the Starling block into an adorable flower quilt. All you need to create the Starling Petals quilt is to download the stem instructions and the Starling block instructions. The Stem instructions come in both 6” and 12” so you can make your quilt in different sizes. Your flower block will be either 6.5" x 12.5" or 12.5" x 24.5". You can also turn the blocks into a smaller project like a table runner, mini quilt, or pillow. The instructions only include the measurements for the quilt.

I made this Starling flower block in my new Dainty Meadow fabric collection which is now showing to shops and shipping in September 2024. I used a fun low volume for the inside of the flower.

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In order to receive the free stem and finishing setting in the Starling Petals quilt pattern that I have designed, you will need to sign up for my email list. Once you have submitted the signup, you will be redirected to my website to download the settings PDF. Already on my email list? No worries, you will not receive my emails twice. I usually send emails two or three times a month. They are packed with goodies, sneak peeks, and coupons!

Starling Petals Quilt PDF Pattern

New to Blockheads? 

Check out more information here:

Moda Fabrics Blog

Moda Fabrics Blockheads Facebook Group

Moda Fabrics

The new round of Blockheads 5 kicked off Wednesday January 3, 2024, and runs until the end of July 2024 with a total of 30 star blocks in 6” and 12” sizes. Join me and all your favorite Moda designers and Moda lovers every Wednesday for a new star-theme block. You are going to love the blocks! Join the Blockheads Facebook Group for the weekly blocks. It's never too late to join BH5. 

I hope you are enjoying BH5! I cannot wait to see your Starling Blocks.

Happy Quilting,

Heather