MODA BLOCKHEADS #4 ALTERNATE BLOCKS

I promised a fun alternate block to Jan’s lovely applique birdhouse block this week and I am here this morning to share the info! HERE you will find the original post with our info on the applique version.

For the alternate version, we decided to go simple and pieced. Since Jan did a birdhouse, we figured we would stay with the house theme!

We first made the 8″ size and then decided that we wanted to go a little bit smaller so made a 6″ size- I think that is my favorite one. It seems to fit a little bit better with the more intricate piecing of many of the other blocks in this sampler.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS: 8” HOUSE BLOCK

From house print: 

(3) 1 ½” x 2 ½” [a], (1) 2” x 3 ½” [b], (1) 1 ½” x 5 ½” [c], (1) 1 ½” x 8 ½” [d].

From roof print: (1) 2 ½” x 8 ½” [e] and (2) 1 ½” squares [f].

From bottom accent print: (1) 1 ½” x 8 ½” [g].

From windows/door print: (2) 1 ½” x 2 ½” [h] and (1) 2” x 3 ½” [i].

From ivory solid: (2) 2” squares [j], (2) 1 ½” x 2” [k] and (1) 1 ½” x 3 ½” [m].

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS: 6” HOUSE BLOCK

From house print: 

(1) 1 ½” x 2” [a] + (2) 1 ¼” x 2” [a1], (1) 1 ½”  x 2 ¾” [b], (1) 1 ¼” x 4 ½” [c]

and (1) 1 ½” x 6 ½” [d].

From roof print: (1) 1 ¾” x 6 ½” [e] and (2) 1 ¼” squares [f].

From bottom accent print: (1) 1 ¼” x 6 ½” [g].

From windows/door print: (2) 1 ¼” x 2” [h] and (1) 1 ½” x 2 ¾” [i].

From ivory solid:

(2) 1 ½” squares [j], (2) 1 ¼” x 1 ½” [k] and (1) 1 ¼” x 3” [m].

ASSEMBLY NOTES:

-We chose (3) different red prints for the house with enough variety to stand out against each other, a cream print for the windows and ivory solid for the background. If you are using a variety of colors in your version, then just choose 3 different colors plus something soft for the windows and a background print.

– Basic block assembly. Press out in the SEW&FLIP section and to the red for the rest of the sections.

– Note that for the 8” block, the (3) A pieces are all the same. For the 6” block the A1 pieces are slightly smaller than the A piece in between the windows.

– Use the “SEW&FLIP method” for the roof, [j] squares sewn on the diagonal and flipped out.

Assembly is the same for both size blocks.

If you have any questions, ask me in the comments below. Happy sewing friends! See you next week with Blockheads #5!

About The Author

joanna@figtreequilts.com

33 COMMENTS

  1. Patty S. | 7th Feb 20

    Thanks for the alternate block, great choice! Do you have a printable link for a .pdf version of your alternate block instrucitons?

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      Just the directions in the blog. Thanks for checking!

  2. Rose Zapel | 7th Feb 20

    I like this pieced house block a lot. I have been wanting to make a house quilt but never got started so I think I might do this. But I have been making 12″ blocks. Any chance there will be cutting instructions for that size? Otherwise, I might do a 6″ and make another of the blocks in 6″ as well. Thanks for this! I like it.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      Four 6″ houses together would make a fantastic 12″ block!

  3. patty eastman | 7th Feb 20

    Are all
    Your blocks 6”? Live your fabric and color ways.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      We are doing all of the different sizes and will put them together into a sampler in the end!

  4. Tracey Hagerbaumer | 7th Feb 20

    I love this block very much
    I am just checking for a printable version in 12 inch
    I made the birdhouse – but would like to make this beautiful house as well
    Thank you so much !!

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      We did a 6″ and an 8″ but (4) 6″ houses would be a fabulous block alternative. We don’t have a printable, just the instructions on the blog.

  5. Teresa Yeargin | 7th Feb 20

    Is there printable directions for a 12 inch block? I love this block. I’m making all my blocks 12 inches.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      If you put (4) of the 6″ blocks together that would make an absolutely beautiful 12″ block. Someone else also did the 8″ and put a 2″ border around it which looked cute! Or even the 8″ block with (4) 4 patches in the corners of the borders would be cute too.

  6. Betty Wagner | 7th Feb 20

    Couldn’t you just double the cutting sizes of the 6” blocks? I am sure that would work.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      No, with quilting you have to first remove the 1/2″ seam allowance in each piece. Then double your numbers and then add the 1/2″ back in.

  7. Judy | 7th Feb 20

    Will there be a 12 inch house block? Thank you

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      For a 12″ block, my recommendation is to do the 6″ one four times.

  8. Judy | 7th Feb 20

    I would love a pattern for a 12 inch block . Thank you

  9. Karin | 7th Feb 20

    Thank you so very much. Just what I needed. Karin

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 7th Feb 20

      You are so very welcome!

  10. Patricia Yeakley | 8th Feb 20

    Will you have a printable for any of your blocks?

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 9th Feb 20

      Since these are just alternate blocks, we will just have the directions and the diagrams here. When we do our regularly scheduled block for the Blockheads program [when it is our turn], they will be printable like all the other regular blocks. Thanks so much!

  11. Rose Jackson | 8th Feb 20

    I’m very disappointed that there isn’t directions for the. 12” block. I saw your recommendation to sew together 4 houses. I would like just a single house. My understanding was all blocks would be in all sizes. Thank you. Rose

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 9th Feb 20

      These are alternate blocks that I am offering as extras as a way of helping out those that are hoping for another type of block. If you would like to do the regular block in the program that is offered to everyone this week, Jan has offered you an applique birdhouse block. Please do that one. Thanks!

  12. Sheila Hill | 10th Feb 20

    I love the alternative options you have provided, thanks for all your hard work, it’s a lovely alternative and one I will be trying out.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 11th Feb 20

      you are so very welcome. we will have another alternate coming this week so check back if you are following along!

  13. Diana Lentz | 10th Feb 20

    I love ❤️ your blocks and fabrics! I have prepared my birdhouse block for appliqué and plan on making the cheerful house block too. What I was trying to find was the link for printing the information and photos for my notebook. Have I missed it someplace? Thank you for your wonderful work.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 11th Feb 20

      We did not do a PDF of these since they were just alternates we were providing and not in all of the sizes, etc. So sorry about that! If I figure out how to do that, we might add it later!

  14. Paige McFall | 12th Feb 20

    I’m following along, making the same sizes as you are so that I can use your setting at the end. For this week, will you be using just your 6″ block, or both the 6″ and 8″ versions? I noticed that in your picture for week 5, you show two house blocks, so I’m wondering if I need to make two?

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 12th Feb 20

      We made the 8″ first but then weren’t sure about how “chunky” it felt next to the other blocks. So changed it up to 6″. We will for sure use the 6″ and probably skip the 8″… but who knows at the end… we might need an extra block or something!

  15. Nancy | 15th Feb 20

    Thank you so much for an alternative block for Jan Patek’s applique block. I love applique but with arthritic fingers can no longer handle a needle and thread and so am so pleased that you took the time to make up this block. Again, thank you!

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 17th Feb 20

      So glad I could be of help!

  16. Rhonda | 15th Feb 20

    Thanks for creating these for everyone to use in their quilts. I appreciate your generosity.

  17. Laurie Belcher | 16th Feb 20

    Thanks for the alternate block. You are very kind to offer 2 sizes for me to choose from. And I love your fabric choices.

  18. Bridget | 17th Feb 20

    Do you have measurements for the pieces for the 6 inch block? If not, that’s fine. I appreciate your help.

    • joanna@figtreequilts.com | 17th Feb 20

      The post that you are commenting on, has both the sizes and the instructions? Perhaps I am not understanding your question?

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