Welcome back to Moda Blockhead Wednesday! Are you having fun yet? I sure am! Participating in several quilt-alongs simultaneously really keeps things fun and interesting around here. Tackling multiple projects all at once has always really appealed to me, so I appreciate the idea of making only a small portion part of a quilt at a time. Doing that allows me to work on other things in between blocks – plus that way I never get tired of any particular project!

Moda Blockheads is definitely one of my favorite quilt-alongs, so the fact that I’m lucky enough to be one of the block designers makes it even that much more fun! This year my block is inspired by the ever-popular traditional game of Checkers, which of course is named after the checkerboard pattern that it’s played on. Making “Game Board“ was almost as fun as playing the actual game! Strip-piecing the center section made this checker pattern block come together in a snap.

The tiny print, gray scale fabrics I selected for this quilt are from my Urban Farmhouse Gatherings II line. Don’t they look fabulous next to the Orange Bella Solid I chose? I really like how combined together, they seem to create a movement that leads your eye around each block – just like jumping checkers! If you are still contemplating fabric choices for this quilt-along and decide you’d like to do yours like mine, you can find everything you need on our website! For Urban Farmhouse Gatherings II pre-cuts and yardage, click the button below. For Orange Bella Solid “Ochre” (#9900-79) CLICK HERE!

If your weather has been anything like ours, it’s a great time to get caught up on projects while it’s still wet, cold, and dreary outside – perfect stitching conditions! You can find everything you need to get started on “Game Board“ including both the pattern and project instructions by clicking the link below!

All the MBH4 blocks that have already been posted are available by visiting the Moda Blockheads 4 Archive. In addition, bonus blocks can be found on Moda’s Inspiration+Resources Center as well! If you’re having trouble keeping all the details straight you can also sign-up to receive Moda’s weekly Blockheads blog posts via e-mail, or by following the link.

Speaking of multiple projects – Psssst…..! I have a secret… Secret mission, that is! I have another great idea to add to our efforts in helping Hogs for Heroes raise funds, and I need your help! I know for a fact that you all love making quilt blocks, so I just have a small favor to ask. My goal for this mission is to produce and collect as many red, white, and blue flag blocks as possible. Once I gather as many flag blocks as I can, they will be used collectively to create a future project that will  generate even more money for this great cause. To learn more about Hogs for Heroes you can visit their website by clicking HERE!

To participate in my mystery mission, please send your finished piece(s) to us no later than June 15th, 2022. We’re super excited to get started on this project, so if you can get your blocks to us earlier that would be even better (June 1st, 2022 would be ideal)! All of us here at Primitive Gatherings will be helping to combine the creativity of everyone who participates together into its final form. I can’t wait to see everything finally come together! 

If you have the time and are willing to be a part of Primitive Gatherings‘ secret mission, I sure would appreciate it! I know you’re anxious for more details but “secret” means I cannot tell you anything more – you’re just going to have to trust me (isn’t this fun!? LOL)! Do you have any guesses about what I have in mind for these blocks? Tell me what you think I should do with them in the comments below! Who knows… you might just win a cool prize for your comment. You can find a printable PDF of the instructions and pattern for the Hogs for Heroes flag blocks by clicking the link below.

TO SUBMIT FINISHED BLOCKS FOR DONATION, PLEASE PACKAGE AND SEND THEM TO:

After stitching up a few flag blocks I just know you’re going to be in a patriotic mood, so why not add my “O’ Say Can You Sew“ quilt-along to your list so you can get rid of some of those beautiful red, white, and blue scraps? This quilt-along is a fun and creative way to get an awesome patriotic quilt out of simply recycling your leftovers. This is another one of mystery projects – meaning you are not going to know exactly what you’re making until it all comes together in the very end! Don’t worry, I know it’s scary to jump into a project without knowing what the final results will be, but you can trust me – I would never have you make something that I didn’t have 100% confidence in. What I WILL tell you about this quilt is that it’s a pretty good size. It will be two blocks with a scrappy sashing. If you are using all scrap pieces for this project, be prepared to use up a lot of them!

The way the “Oh Say Can You Sew Mystery Quilt-Along“ works is simple and fun. On the first Monday of every month we will release a new FREE clue (there is no specific time that I will be releasing the clue – please keep an eye on the blog throughout the day). There will be seven clues released in total. When a clue is released it will be posted both here on my blog and also on our YouTube channel, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” Each clue will be available to download as a printable PDF FREE for one month. When then next month’s clue posts, the previous clue will no longer be available for free, but can be purchased to download through our website for $5.00 each. I’m only on Clue #2 so far so you have plenty of time to get up to speed on this one. You can download Clue #2 by clicking the button below. You can also view all released clues in the O’ Say Can You Sew Clue Archive by clicking HERE!

I feel like I’ve given you plenty to do so that’s all I’ve got for you today. I know you’re going to need something to watch while you stitch so make sure not to miss “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ this Thursday at 1PM CST. I am currently in OH attending the 45th Annual Sauder Village Quilt Show with PG warehouse manager Amy, so Jess and the girls in the studio will be taking over the show! They plan to talk about some really exciting things including the arrival of Starlight Gatherings pre-cuts, my Pokémon “I spy” quilt (video tutorial out soon!), our new shop sticker for May, more about the “Oh Say Can You Sew Mystery Quilt-Along,“ the urban version of my Garden Gatherings quilt “Seedlings,” and more SO much more! Not to mention there’s always a chance to win a prize just for commenting during the show or on the blog! Set your reminder – you’re not going to want to miss any of it!!! See you all soon. ~Lisa