Hello and happy Tuesday! I’m excited today to share the Quilting Life Block of the Month 2020 first block! I believe this is my fourth year doing a free block of the month program for my blog readers, and I absolutely love doing it! This year I’ll be offering blocks in two different sizes and will be sewing along with both options so I have two quilts at the end of the year. I’ll also share two different setting options for the blocks later in 2020.
A Quilting Life Block of the Month 2020 | January
This year’s blocks will be shared in two different sizes: 12″ finished and 18″ finished blocks. I’ll be making my 12″ finished blocks using a scrappy combination of my fabric collections. And I’ll be making my 18″ blocks using blues and creams from a variety of Minick & Simpson collections mixed with this tone on tone background fabric from our Summer Sweet collection. Blocks will all be pieced and will be from a variety of classic patterns. You should be able to make this quilt if you are a confident beginner.
January 2020 Block 12″ Finished
I finished my 12″ finished block the other day and used three different fabrics from our Summer Sweet collection along with the tone on tone background fabric from that group. You can find the fabrics I used below:
January 2020 Block 18″ Finished
My blue and cream block doesn’t look bigger in the photo, but it is indeed an 18″ finished block. I really love how it turned out. I’m using scrappy blues from my stash, but I’m also using the same background fabric I’m using for my 12″ blocks. I think this will help out a lot and save me time cutting since I can cut the background fabrics for both blocks at the same time. If you are thinking of making both versions, this is a timesaver that just might be a game-changer for you.
How to Join In
There isn’t anything you need to do to join in. The block PDF’s are free and will be posted during the first week of each month here on the blog. Be sure to drop by each month for the PDF. Later this month I’ll set up a landing page for the block information and will share that page in the February post. Click here for this month’s block, or click the button below.
Tips for the January Blocks
- I’ll have more detailed information on fabric requirements soon. But you’ll need at least 12 fat quarter for the 12″ finished blocks and 18 fat quarters for the 18″ finished blocks. You’ll also need 2 ½-3 yards of background fabric for the smaller blocks and 3 ½-4 yards of background if you’re making the 18″ finished blocks. Start thinking about sashing and borders, too. Again…I’ll have more information on this next month.
- Make Half-Square Triangles in groups. I like to have an assortment of ready-made half-square triangles to use for scrappy projects. The half-square triangles in this block could easily be made from a scrappy variety of fabrics. If you like using triangle paper for half-square triangles, you can use this size for the hst’s in the 12″ block and this size for the hst’s in the 18″ block.
- Use the Bloc Loc Flying Geese rulers to make the flying geese units a bit bigger and then trim down to the perfect size. (Use this size for the 12″ blocks and this size for the 18″ blocks).
Final Reminder for the 2019 Block/Quilt Information
If you haven’t yet downloaded all of the information from the 2019 Half Square Triangle blocks, be sure to download them before the end of this month. I will be taking them down by February first in order to set up the new landing page for this year’s blocks.
I look forward to sewing along with you! Happy quilting, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Grace says
They’re beautiful! I especially love the scrappy one. Thank you for sharing!
don flans says
thank you
Barbara D Teter says
I would like to know just HOW you get your POINTS all matching. I sometimes don’t have a point there and I RIP and RIP and it never comes out correctly. Help please!
teterbarbara70@gmail.com
sherri McConnell says
If you email me with the type of block you’re having trouble with I can send you some links that should help 🙂
Barbara D Teter says
Sherri, I seem to have a problem with any patterns that have points. I keep a 1/4″ seam but I just can’t seem to get the points correct. If you could sent me some links to help me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Barbara says
Still have not heard from you on helping me with my points???
sherri McConnell says
Please email me with your specific questions…I’m happy to help!
Joyce Carter says
Thank you so much Sherri.
Cindy says
Thank you Sherri! Can’t wait to get started! I love the 18″ block this time!
LynFack says
Sherri, what will be the finished sizes of the quilts? I know you will have more info next month but in order to decide which size blocks to plan for it would be great to know the finished sizes….I like big quilts but I also like piecing small pieces!
sherri McConnell says
Figuring that out as soon as I can!
Linda says
Love the idea of “free” plus the fact that there is NO appliqué!. This is a quilt that I will start right away. Thanks, Sherri!
Kay Welch says
You are so generous – I’m looking forward to this BOM. I’m also participating in your Scrap Challenge, which is fun and helpful. I will be using stash and scraps for this BOM, too. You’re really helping me creatively productive this year. Thanks so much!
Joanne says
I’m so excited. This will be fun and love having the option of a 12” or 18”” block.
Hildy says
Thank you Sherri I always love your BOM!
Kristi says
I love both versions of Summer Winds – your fabrics are so pretty – but the blue and white really caught my eye! I’m going to use my stash and see where it leads. Thank you, Sherri, for designing these BOMs for your fans!
Kerry says
Can’t wait, l loved last years!!
Patricia says
Thank you so much! Love it!
Nanny Nette says
I love both colourways! Thank you for providing free patterns to those like me who love to make charity quilts. You are a real blessing ?
Cindy Petersen says
Sherri, I love this!
My New Year’s goal was to finish all my UFOs before I got into anything else. I have so many small projects from subscription boxes that I haven’t even started. But when I saw your blue and white 18” block – WOW! What’s one more block per month, right! (Okay, I have two other BOMs in various stages lol.) I just love it. Thanks so much
Was there a post with fabric requirements?
Cindy Petersen says
Never mind about the fabric requirements; I didn’t read far enough. Sorry.
Judy says
I don’t have many scraps so the amount of fabric I need would be good. I do have many precuts. Thank you.
Judy says
Found it. 12 fat quarters. I’m wondering if a fat eighth of 42 might work. ❤️
Nicole says
Thank You! Really excited for this project in 20220
Gordon says
am unable to download the January 2020 block of the month. When I clock on save as, I do not get a pdf formatted download
sherri McConnell says
not sure why…perhaps try from a desktop or laptop if you’re using a phone or tablet.
Diane says
I tried to access the patterns from 2019 and Google docs telling me I don’t have access to the files even though I’m signed into my google account. Any thoughts?
sherri McConnell says
hmmm…not sure. I haven’t heard of this? Perhaps try from a desktop or laptop if you are using a phone or tablet?
Gwyn says
So excited for 18 inch blocks!
Kathryn Kelly says
Can’t wait to get started. Will all the pieces be 2 1/2″ as I have a jelly roll I’d like to use?
Odie Keith says
Hi!
Thank you so much for sharing this free pattern BOM. This is my first BOM and am very excited. I am definitely a (somewhat confident) beginner. I enjoy reading your posts and you inspire me to try new things. I love the Summer Sweet collection line, so I am anxious to get an idea of which and how much of each of the different prints in the line to get. Wish me luck
Thanks again for sharing your creativity!
Odie
Linda S. says
Made the 12″ then tried a smaller one, 9″. Both using Marti Michelle’s templates. Today made the 18″.
Also made the first block for the Block Heads 3. Love Marti Michelle’s template makes everything so precise and easy.
Nancy says
Can you please help us interpreting the Moda Block Heads 3 directions.? I love your clear and precise videos. Maybe Moda will let you do one video to help new quilters. I have bought all the supplies but really have trouble doing this for the first time. Thanks!
Kelly says
Hello! One 12″ block completed! Do you want these posted I Instagram and if sew, is there a hashtag you would like used? Thank you.
sherri McConnell says
you can use #aquiltinglife and I should see it! Thank you!
Anna says
Will you be using the same background fabric across all your scrappy blocks?
sherri McConnell says
yes, I think I will…it will make it so much easier!