Welcome to Blockheads 6 – Week 13: “Toadstool Twist” by Betsy Chutchian!

Welcome back, Blockheads! This week’s pattern is Toadstool Twist, a playful variation on the traditional T-block designed by Betsy Chutchian.

You can find this week’s pattern here: BH6 – Block 13 – Toadstool Twist by Betsy Chutchian

Follow along with Betsy!

Instagram: @betsy_chutchian
betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com

If you’re new to Blockheads, here are a couple of quick things to know:

• This is a free quilt-along. No sign-ups are required. Just download the pattern and you’re ready to sew!
• The PDF patterns will be posted on the Moda blog and in the official Facebook group every Wednesday by 8:00 AM CDT.
• You can also bookmark this page: Blockheads 6 main page to find a convenient list of all the patterns as they are released.
• If you’d like to sign up for our blog newsletter to get blog posts delivered to your inbox, you can sign up here: Blog Newsletter Sign-Up 
• If you want to sew along with a virtual Blockheads community, head over to Facebook and join our official Moda Blockheads Facebook group. Our group is an active and vibrant community of 81,000 quilters and counting! It’s a great place to be inspired and share pictures of your Blockheads progress.
• If Instagram is where you prefer to hang out, be sure to follow us (@modafabrics) and the hashtags #modablockheads and #modablockheads6 to see the latest blocks from our designers and other Blockheads.

(Looking for a little more information about Blockheads? You can check out the Blockheads 6 archive HERE.)

About This Block

Toadstool Twist pairs simple basic units into a block that looks much more complex than it is. It’s a great example of the power of placement and rotation: a few well-constructed units are arranged to create that “twist” effect. Before you begin, download the free pattern (cutting specs, step-by-step directions, and the coloring sheet are included) so everything is at hand.

Center Unit — Quick Corner Squares

The block’s center unit is straightforward:

1. Start with a square and sew small corner squares to opposite corners by sewing diagonally from corner to corner.
2. Repeat for the other side and trim/press as directed.
3. Make four of these center units (one for each quadrant) and square them up before moving on.

Flying Geese — One-at-a-Time Method

The twist on this block is how the flying geese are used as edge units. Because the geese vary in orientation in this design, Lissa uses the one-geese-at-a-time stitch-and-flip method rather than the four-at-a-time shortcut:

• Cut a rectangle (pattern calls for 2" × 3½" for the goose base) and 2" squares for the sky corners.
• Draw the diagonal on each 2" square, place one square on a rectangle corner, stitch on the drawn line (or just to the right of it), press and trim the excess to square.
• Place the second 2" square on the opposite corner with its diagonal oriented the opposite direction, stitch, press and trim to finish the flying geese unit.

Lissa notes you’ll make two of one orientation and one of the other per quadrant. Have fun with color placement—this is where the “twist” and visual movement begin to appear.

Assembly and Finishing

Attach a flying-geese unit to a center unit as shown in the pattern; match seams carefully and sew the pairs together.

Make four of those combined units, then join them into rows and sew the rows together to complete the block.

Lissa recommends laying out all units before sewing to confirm orientations and to make sure your “toadstool” twist reads the way you want it.

Tips from Lissa

• Keep the coloring sheet handy—it’s a great way to plan scrappy vs. planned colorways before you cut and sew.
• Match and nest seams where possible for a flatter finish.
• Don’t stress small imperfections: a slightly blunt point or a turned unit still contributes to the overall charm of a handmade quilt.

Watch the Tutorial & Share Your Block

Be sure to watch Lissa’s full video tutorial below for close-up demonstrations of the stitch-and-flip geese, trimming, and assembly. Download the Toadstool Twist pattern from the link in the description or on the Blockheads blog, and when you’re finished, share your block in the Moda Blockheads Facebook group — we love seeing everyone’s color choices and variations!

A big thank-you to Betsy Chutchian for this delightful block. Happy sewing — see you next week!

— The Moda Team