Moda Bakeshop Summer Quilt Along | Center Block

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Alright campers! The center block choices have been released on the Moda Bake Shop Summer Mystery Quilt Along! Have you decided which path you are taking? Your two choices are a Path A: Dresden Plate or Path B: Star Valley.

I went with Path B: Star Valley because: a) I don’t do applique b) I love me a good star block full of half square triangles! If anything was going to convince me to try a Dresden plate though–it’s the beautiful work of Mary Andra! I’m definitely putting a Dresden plate on my quilting bucket list.

This block was a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. Color placement was surprisingly confounding, with such a limited color palette. I tried and discarded a quarter log cabin block that was a gray/blue combination. But it just looked a bit muddy, and was frankly too strong of a contrast to the rest of the block. I’m happy with the crisp look of the white background.

I was regretting the floral print in the very center after it was all sewn up. I wasn’t sure it really went with the other prints. When I was originally auditioning fabrics, I wanted a bit of a statement fabric in the center. But didn’t really revisit my center choice when I landed on all the other choices. But, with only two real colors and 24 prints–I think when it’s all together, it will be just fine.

I talk about the fabrics I’m using in this post. But, long story short, they are Color Cuts (quarter cuts) in Beach Glass and Roadtrip. I’m loving the slight variation color between the fabrics, but how they come together for quite a cohesive look.

As with all medallion quilts, accuracy is paramount! Otherwise your next row of block borders won’t fit properly. So, I encourage you to practice that scant 1/4″ seam allowance and measure your blocks as you go.

I am loving my new 1/4″ seam guide that screws right into my Juki TL-2200‘s bed. It also fits the Juki TL-2010, and I believe it also fits the Janome straight stitch machine. Before I bought that, I was a fan of placing a stack of about 8 pieces of painters tape on my machine at the 1/4″ mark. Somehow, the 1/4″ feet with a little seam guide built into them don’t work well for me. This seam guide screws in and out quickly, and is large enough to run my fabric against for an accurate seam allowance. I always run a few test patches through after I reinstall it–you want it to be just right!

Making blocks (or components of blocks) a bit oversized and then trimming them to perfection is one of my favorite ways to ensure accuracy. In my opinion, it’s totally worth the extra time it takes. BlocLoc rulers are my favorite way to trim down half square triangles. I have the 5″ ruler, so that I can use it for any HST 5″ or smaller. 

That’s it campers–back to your cabins for fun and games! Or, maybe off to the art and crafts area for a little sewing. Your choice!