How to Master Any Curved Seam and Moda Blockheads Block 33

HERE IS AN UPDATE TO MODA BLOCKHEADS BLOCK 33

As you might have noticed, the link to the curved seams block download does no longer work and I want to explain, why that is so:

What was originally meant to be positive and supportive, unintentionally did exactly the opposite,

and I am very sorry. I apologize that this happened. 

I found a really great, cool block on Pinterest that I wanted to share with all of you through this sampler. I read the name Liz Harvatine in the Pinterest caption, but the caption didn't make it clear that this was a product for sale. To me, it seemed like it was a sewn example. My mistake was not to get to the bottom of it. 

So I submitted the block to Moda, Moda researched it according to their review procedure, determined that the original source is Laura Wheeler's Friendship Circle block, published around 1930-1940 and that this block is under the public domain, so it is not subject to copyright. And on that basis, the WALKING IN CIRCLES block was published. 

Are you interested in historical quilt stories? Here is the story behind this block, which ironically has the name FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE.

And now a small, well-meaning gesture turned into an unpleasant reversal: I named Liz Harvatine as my inspiration in my description because I wanted to say: This cool idea is not attributable to me, but I've also seen it from someone else. This hint was disastrous: Because Liz would like to sell her pattern, and she assumes that this can now hurt her business - A freebie was clumsily mentioned in the same breath as her product for sale so that she now fears that she will have to accept sales losses as a result. 

I can understand that, Moda can understand that, and so, in order to protect Liz Harvatine's business interests, we decided to take our freebie down. 

I know this is very confusing and also disappointing for some of you. And I'm sorry about that. I, therefore, ask for your understanding that we now take the alternative block that I created as the main block. You can buy a pattern for this block through Lady Harvartine.

You know what? Instead of fighting against each other with internet-shit-storms (see below), let’s start a #smilestorm. Many of you reached out to me and send me a personal note letting me know that they cherish my contribution and sharings, creativity, and ideas. Thank you so much for this kindness! I really appreciate it. Every single one of these kind gestures is my personal #smilestorm.

We have something better to bring to bear, let’s be kind to each other! Let’s rather really be a FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE!

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A Little Something for Everyone

I’m very excited to be this week’s host for Moda Blockheads 2020! And to celebrate, I wanted to offer a few things – a fun challenge, a step-by-step video tutorial made just for you, a couple of alternative choices for sewing this block, and some beautiful projects to explore using this block design. First let me say – my block, Walking In Circles may come as a bit of a challenge to some of you. Curved seams themselves are challenging, and not only does my design include curved seams but they’re pieced together from different overlapping segments. This is definitely a task for an advanced quilter, and I wanted to present this fun challenge for all of you more intermediate sewists out there.

However, I certainly don’t want to leave out our friends who are more beginner quilters! To make things easier for beginners, or those who are looking for an easier project, I have two simplifications to offer. The first is a more simple block design with straight seams for anyone who doesn’t love curved seams, and you’ll find downloadable instructions for it below.

The other simplification I have to offer is my YouTube tutorial (see below). Are you up for learning something new this week? In my tutorial, I first explain how to do a simple curved seam and I provide a downloadable template for a curved seam without segments. That way you can take curved seams for a little test drive and take some time to practice. Once you feel confident with this technique you can move on in the tutorial and make this advanced block.

For those of you who may want to create this block but in a more simple manner you can cheat a bit – just cut out the little segments without any seam allowance and glue them onto a foundation. To do this, use a fusible web on the backside of the fabric, iron it onto the foundation and stitch it on. This technique is kind of a raw-edge appliqué, and I’ve explained this in my tutorial as well. This raw-edge appliqué creates a very pleasing result, even in a tiny format like the 4-inch block I’ve created. I’ve even made one this size as a pin cushion to show you how easy it is to use this simplified technique. Do take some time with my YouTube tutorial to catch all my tips and tricks and to get all the help you’ll need to make your own advanced or simplified block!

Fun Projects to Explore With Walking In Circles

Lastly, I also created a few projects that you can sew, besides the Moda Blockheads sampler quilt you may be working on, using this block. The smallest project is the cute pincushion I just mentioned made with a 4-inch block which would make a wonderful gift for a sewing friend. The next is a black and white pillow which matches my own couch decoration in my home. It’s made from four blocks put together, each 8-inches in size. If you’d like to create your own pillow you can refer to my recent video tutorial on making a simple pillow with an envelope closure. I’ve also sewn a lap-size quilt with an on-point setting of the blocks. For this project, I used a 12-inch sized block. So with these various projects, you now have some other options aside from just creating a block to use in a quilt project. Which one will you have fun with?

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Ready to see more of this week’s block? Let’s go!

FREE QUILT ALONG BLOCKHEADS 2020
BLOCK #33
WALKING IN CIRCLES

If you’ve made it this far in this week’s post, but you’re not completely sure about what the excitement is all about with Moda Blockheads, first of all – welcome! Each week we share a free block pattern designed by a Moda designer (this week it’s my turn!), and you can create your own unique sampler quilt or come up with any number of projects like the one I’ve shared in this blog post.

If you’d like to join in the fun be sure to check out this post to find out what fabrics you’ll need to get started creating your own unique sampler quilt. You can also go back through the last few months here on the Zen Chic blog to see all the blocks that have been shared so far, or even check out Blockheads 2, our last round of Moda Blockheads.

And be sure to visit our thriving Facebook community – it’s where we get to see what everyone is working on and encourage one another and you can also catch up on all the blocks that have been shared so far. Stop by and share your blocks and projects with us, and you can also share them on Instagram using the hashtags #modablockheads and #modablockheads3. The community and friendships that form are what make Blockheads the great time that it is, so do stop by!

As I mentioned, I’ve shared my block design Walking In Circles using an advanced technique that you can learn with the YouTube tutorial I’ve created for you. And, if you’d prefer a more simple alternative with straight lines, I’ve got that for you as well! You can download instructions for either through the buttons. below.

I WANT TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE WHICH I NEVER WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IN PUBLIC

When I was considering, what to contribute to Moda Blockheads I strolled through Pinterest, to find inspiration for an interesting block. I saw one with overlapping circles, which was not that common. There were a few projects already posted, but it was not that oversaturated like a Bear Paw Block. or so. So I thought this might be a nice idea for everyone. Little did I know, that anyone would claim that block as hers.

Because - in my understanding - this is a block, which can not be kind of be owned. Let me explain that a bit more in detail: If anyone does a complicated paper pieced elephant - this is so unique, that it has obvious an owner’s right to me, without any copyright entry.

But overlapping circles are nothing else than what we know from centuries: A variation of a double wedding ring block. You have all seen classic blocks, like the Bear Paw or the Double Wedding Ring - now who does research, who came up with this for the first time and give credit to this person every time? Be honest: Noone. I once talked to a lawyer about this topic and he explained to me, that a generic geometric shape, be it a triangle, a square a circle, and variations of it, can not be owned in a form of copyright by a person. They are a mutual right to use.

So this in mind, I found this inspiring block and thought: ok, let's make my variation of it, I make the rings a bit thicker (some people do the wedding ring thicker, some do them thinner, they split them in patches, they have cornerstones, all kind of things. I made all the work myself. It was not, that I copied someone's work, copied the words or the templates. Just found, that no-one can own a halfsqaure triangle, a Bear Paw Block, a Wedding Ring block or something comparable.

Submit it to Moda, wrote my Block Post, made my Video - and got a comment: This block was once developed from Lady Havertine, who sold it in a pattern. Well so, I thought, thanks for letting me know. I even answered that mine is not identical, but slightly different. And I thought all is good. Lady Havertine contacted me myself, I stated my point of view, made on note on my Instagram post, that my inspiration came from her. Thought done.

But then something really mean happened: People started a internet shit-storm, attacking me really heavily on all my channels.

REALLY? IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WANT AS AN OUTCOME?

First I ignored it, I thought it is not worth a word. Because what it that all about if you go to a bird's view. Someone came up with an idea, someone else liked it and developed a variation to share. I was told that pattern was made for money and I would hurt her income by giving mine for free - come on! If that pattern was released already a while ago, it will have found its fans and will still find it. And if someone is clever, she can draw it even by herself. My templates are different, not copied. You buy someone's Double Wedding Ring pattern, you find other free Double Wedding ring patterns on the net, this is how things go in a Pinterest age. That doesn’t mean I STEAL anyone's income as I am accused to, I don’t earn a penny here

What I am really, really shocked about is the mean behavior some people attack me here, although it is not even their business. The only person who could complain is Ladyhavertine herself. She wrote me a direct message, I answered directly to her. Period. And so should it be. That people, who have no personal damage at all, have an attitute to get mean and try to throw shit on me publicly on all my channels is an attitude, which shows a very bad and also deplorable side of a quilting community.

We want to share, we want to give freely - and this was my intention, Moda’s intention with this Block post.

I get all kinds of commands on all channels, what I have to shut down, and how I have to excuse, and what I have to do in such a mean manner, that you bring me really to the point to address this publicly. I have ignored that all

BECAUSE I AM NOT A FAN OF ANY PUBLIC SHIT THROWING

I would probably have given freely any desired acknowledgment to Ladyhavertine. But not under any pressure. Excuse me! From my above-explained point of view, this kind of pressure is just not appropriate!

WHAT IS MY INTENTION FOR THE OUTCOME?

As I already said to Ladyhavertine: I wish her the best for her business and that she should keep up her good work and ideas!

And mostly I wish for us quilters, that we show our best strengths, which are: freely inspire, help and share with each other, giving tips and ideas generously as we all like it, that we address issues in a private place, one-o-one-, where it belongs, that we try to get along more harmonious. That we see, that we are all inspired from other ideas, from the internet, from Pinterest, you name it. And that this is ok.

I will now shut all comments down, as I did for Instagram already. I don’t want to offer my blog as a place for bad behavior. I will definitely not shut down the blog post, nor that block. In my eyes, it helped so many quilters, and I didn’t earn anything from it neither steal one cent of another person.

Period.

Free quilt along Blockheads 2020, Block 33: Walking In Circles
Fabrics used in the block are from Zen Chic by Moda, SPOTTED and MORE PAPER LOW VOLUMES.

Block 33 from Zen Chic for Moda Blockheads 2020, Walking In Circles. Fabrics used in the block are from Zen Chic by Moda, SPOTTED and MORE PAPER LOW VOLUMES.

Here is an alternative block for this week…

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Don't miss the other blockheads involved in this project:

Free quilt along Blockheads 2020, Block 33: Walking In Circles
Fabrics used in this block are from Zen Chic by Moda, SPOTTED and MORE PAPER LOW VOLUMES.

Betsy Chutchian
Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilt
Janet Clare
Jan Patek
Jen Kingwell
Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree
Jo Morton
Laurie Simpson
Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings
Lissa Alexander of Moda
Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles
Me & My Sister Designs
Robin Pickens
Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life
Stacy Iest Hsu
Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique
Carrie Nelson

Stay tuned… Each week I’ll reveal more of my layout with the next block!

Free quilt along with Moda Blockheads 2020, Block 33: Walking In Circles using the SPOTTED and MORE PAPER LOW VOLUMES fabric collections from Zen Chic.

Which block will you sew, the advanced or alternative option? Share with us in the comments below!