MODA BLOCKHEADS 6 – BLOCK 7: BELLISSIMO STAR
Hello BLOCKHEADS!
I am sitting this year out in terms of making all of the blocks each week but have really been enjoying watching you all create some beautiful designs over the last few weeks.
Today is my official day with the block titled the BELLISSIMO STAR! Its a doozy but the pieces are nice and big so you should be all good.
The block combines half-square triangles, flying geese, and quarter-square triangles to create a design that can be created in SO MANY different ways. Each time I looked at it, I saw something a bit different.
So… I went in three different directions to show you totally different things you can do with this block.
I am sure that this does not surprise any of you :-)!
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FABRICS
We chose to create blocks in (3) of my latest fabric collections to see how it would feel:
- BUON NATALE [In stores NOW]
- AGATHA ROAD [Arriving THIS MONTH]
- ROSIE [Arriving January 2026]
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BUON NATALE
For our BUON NATALE version, the only change we made to the pattern is the block center itself. We thought this was a perfect opportunity to use an image from one of our CHRISTMAS CARD panels and added coordinating borders to make it fit the 4 1/2″ finished dimensions.
It was kind of a perfect “fussy cut” spot with a little border.
For this one, I chose color placement to mimic a Christmas wreath as much as possible. The mix of greens for those triangles really does create a wreath to my eyes!
Check out THIS BLOG POST for lots more inspiration on using our BUON NATALE CHRISTMAS CARD panels!
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AGATHA ROAD
For our AGATHA ROAD version, I kept the center quarter-square triangle [hourglass] unit and carried that same unit out to replace the (4) “half” quarter-square triangle units located at each side of the block. This helped create a circular motion to the block for added visual appeal.
Honestly this might be my favorite of the three versions!
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ROSIE
For our ROSIE version, I (once again) removed the center quarter-square triangle and opted for a single fabric print to create a bit more of a focal center square.
Although it may look quite different from the other (2) blocks, all other units are the same as the pattern instructions – it’s just the fabric placement itself that can really make a difference! I love to see how fabric placement in a block makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE don’t you think?
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PATTERN
**GRAB THE MBH 6, BLOCK 7 BLOCK PATTERN HERE!**
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PILLOW PROJECT
Although we are not sewing along with BLOCKHEADS this year, we did want to show off some lovely pillow finishes using our featured BELLISSIMO block. I love making small, quick projects in between all of the larger quilt projects and work deadlines – there’s a great sense of satisfaction in starting and completing a project in a weekend, right?!
The blocks finish at 18″, so we added a border to all sides to make the pillows measure 20″ finished, then used our STARS OF THE HARVEST pattern for pillow finishing details.
NOTE: For our BUON NATALE version, we added 6 1/2″ cut squares [sew-and-flips] to each corner to frame the star block center.
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Happy Sewing!
-Joanna
About The Author
Judy | 9th Jul 25
Oh I sure love that Agatha Road and your projects are just terrific!! Great job!! They are so pretty 😍
Lynn L Young | 13th Jul 25
Thanks, Joanna, first of all for designing this very versatile block, and for showing these color/fabric variations in your wonderful fabrics! It’s taking me longer to study all the variations of the blocks in BH6 than to make them! And your idea of pillows is great, I’m sure I’ll have extra blocks as it’s hard to resist doing several variations! My object with this quilt is to use up old scraps and fabrics, many of which are older than some of of my community of friends making BH6!!! I’ve been quilting and buying way too much fabric since 1978!