It’s been a while since I’ve joined a block-of-the-week quilt along. I do love making sampler quilts, especially when there are different blocks and techniques to try. But I also know how easily these projects can end up sitting unfinished when life gets busy or when I ends up with a mess of mismatched blocks (my own mistakes).
So I wasn’t really planning to start another one… (I thought so…)
Then I watched the Moda Blockheads 7 launch video, and well…the promo video is fun and good! so here we are!
I loved seeing all the Theme – Friends & Neighbors! I love a good neighborhood quilt. Before I knew it, I was already pulling out fabrics and thinking about which ones I could use.
So yes, I’ve decided to join in! And I’ve already finished my first block, which I’ll share with you below.
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What Is Moda Blockheads 7?
If you’re not familiar with Moda Blockheads, it’s a free quilt along organised by Moda Fabrics, featuring quilt blocks designed by different Moda designers.
This seventh series is called Friends & Neighbors, and it features 30 blocks from 30 different designers.
The quilt along started on October 7, 2026, with a new free block pattern released every Wednesday, continuing through April 2027.
There’s quite a variety of blocks, from traditional patchwork and stars to houses, flowers and some more interesting designs. There are also different techniques to try, including foundation paper piecing and curved piecing.
I love that kind of variety in a sampler quilt. Some weeks you get to make something familiar and relaxing, and other weeks there’s an opportunity to try something different.
And there’s something fun about knowing that other quilters around the world are working on the same blocks, each with their own fabric choices.
If you’d like to join in, you can find all the free patterns and quilt along information on Moda’s website.
Moda Blockheads 7 – Free Quilt Block Patterns
You can also read all the quilt along details here.
My Plan for Moda Blockheads 7
One thing I’ve learned from making quilts over the years is that I enjoy the process much more when I don’t put too much pressure on myself. And with everything else going on in life, I really want this to be a fun project to pick up whenever I have some sewing time. So I’m not making any promises about keeping up with every single block each week!
I might make some blocks as soon as they’re released, or I might save a few to work on together when I have a quiet afternoon in the sewing room. I haven’t decided whether I’ll make all 30 blocks, either.
One thing I really like about this quilt along is that Moda encourages us to make it our own. We can skip blocks, repeat our favourites, change the sizes or even use blocks from previous Blockheads series. I think that’s a lovely way to approach a sampler quilt.
And even if I end up with a few extra blocks that don’t make it into the final quilt, I can always turn them into something else. I’ve shared a few ideas for turning sampler quilt blocks into small projects HERE>. Nothing needs to go to waste!
My Fabric Choice – Jelly & Jam by Fig Tree for Moda Fabrics
Now, this is probably the part I’m most excited about!
For my Moda Blockheads 7 quilt, I’m using Jelly & Jam by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda Fabrics.
I love the pretty florals, little gingham prints and the mix of soft pinks, reds, greens and creamy neutrals. They have such a lovely cheerful feel, and I think they’ll work beautifully in a sampler quilt.
I have been keeping this bundle for a magical fun quilt – we all do that when it comes to a beautiful fat quarter bundle that we can’t “unbundle” right? Well, I guess this is that “magical” quilt. I’m sure it will be one magical quilt anyway with this beautiful collection.
You can find other similar collections and tone over HERE>
As for the background, I am using a white on white print that I bought a bolt of. There’s a lot of choices of white on white bolt you can grab HERE> at a discounted price.
My First Moda Blockheads 7 Block – Spring Walk
And here’s my first block!
Block 1 is called Spring Walk, designed by Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique.
I couldn’t wait to get started once I’d picked out my fabrics.
For this block, I chose the pretty coral and red prints for the flowers, with a little green floral print in the opposite corners. I also used the soft beige gingham for the striped sections. I followed close to the original colours of the quilt block made by Vanessa of Lella Boutique.
There’s just something satisfying about seeing a quilt block come together, piece by piece. And I always love how the fabrics look a little different once they’re cut into smaller pieces and sewn into a block. I’m already enjoying playing with these fabrics, and I think they’re going to make such a pretty sampler quilt.
One block down, and plenty more to look forward to!
If you’re sewing along too, you can find the first block pattern on Moda’s Blockheads 7 page.
Watch me piece this together for a little ASMR:
My Favourite Quilting Tools for Piecing Quilt Blocks
While I’m sharing my Moda Blockheads 7 progress, I thought I’d also share a few of the quilting tools I regularly use in my sewing room.
You certainly don’t need lots of fancy tools to make these blocks. A sewing machine, rotary cutter, ruler and basic quilting supplies will get you started.
But there are a few things that make the process a little easier and more enjoyable for me.
- A wooden seam roller
- My rotary cutter
- My 2.5″ quilting ruler
- Binding Clips
- My Sewing Machine: Janome Horizon QCP8200
- Oliso Iron Pro
- Oliso Iron Mini
- Large wool pressing mat — for those crisp, flat seams. Love the large size too.
- Fine glass-head pins — my point-matching best friends, these pins are so fine!
- Quality cotton piecing thread – I use Aurifil 50wt for piecing
- Rotary cutter – Get the ergonomic one. Makes a big difference to my wrist!
How Big Will My Moda Blockheads 7 Quilt Be?
The full Friends & Neighbors quilt setting finishes at approximately 102 inches.
That’s a pretty big quilt!
It uses a combination of blocks finishing at 9″, 12″, 18″ and 24″.
Moda has also suggested a smaller setting of approximately 57″ square, along with other layout possibilities.
I’m not quite sure which layout I’ll use yet.
For now, I think I’ll concentrate on making the blocks and see where it takes me. Once I have a few more blocks made, I’ll have a better idea of how I want to put them together.
I do enjoy having some flexibility with sampler quilts, especially when I haven’t quite figured out what the finished quilt will look like.
And who knows, I might change my mind along the way!
Come Sew Along With Me!
I’d love to know if you’re planning to join Moda Blockheads 7 too!
I think it’s always more fun working on these projects when there are other quilters making the same blocks, even if we’re all using different fabrics and working at our own pace.
If you’re thinking about joining, you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.
You could start by looking through your stash, pulling out a few favourite fabrics and making the first block.
You don’t even need to commit to making all 30 blocks.
If you want to put together your own fabric selection from your stash, you might enjoy my tutorial on how to make your own quilt kits with stash fabrics.
And remember, you can always join in later and work through the patterns at your own pace.
For me, I’m looking forward to having another project that I can slowly work on over the coming months.
Something I can pick up when I feel like piecing a block or two, without worrying too much about deadlines or how quickly it’s coming together.
I’ll be sharing my progress here on the blog as I go, along with my fabric choices and any little tips I pick up along the way.
For now, I’m off to enjoy my next block!
I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Are you joining Moda Blockheads 7? Which Collections are you using or are you ready to dive in for a mix of your stash for this round?
Happy quilting!
Amira
P.S. If you’ve been wanting to get back into sewing but haven’t felt like tackling a big project, maybe making a quilt block or two would be a fun way to get started again. Sometimes it’s nice to make something just for the enjoyment of it, without worrying about what needs to be finished.
