I couldn’t be more excited to share the setting option, Shine On, I designed for my Blockheads 6 quilt! This year, I wanted a layout that felt joyful, colorful, and flexible—something that would celebrate each block while still feeling cohesive as a whole. I came up with two options depending on how you want to sew along: one that’s simpler and more symmetrical, and one that includes all the blocks (bloth include the showstopper Folk Star in the center)!

What is Blockheads?

If you’re new to Moda Blockheads, welcome to the party. It’s a free quilt-along from Moda Fabrics where designers release a new block every Wednesday from May through November. You can download all the block patterns for free, and sew at your own pace. It’s one of the best things Moda does each year—community, creativity, and so many beautiful blocks.

You can download all current blocks here.

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Let’s Talk About Color

I’m using Bella Solids for this entire quilt, and I wanted it to feel cheerful and punchy but still a little sweet—like strawberry sorbet with a splash of lime.

Here are the Bella Solids I’m using:

• 30 – Parfait Pink
• 441 – Camellia
• 369 – Limeade
• 66 – Lilac
• 93 – Hyacinth
• 225 – Capri
• 213 – Mustard
• 98 – White Bleached

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Layout Option 1: Symmetrical + Simpler

If you’re feeling a little pressed for time—or just love a strong sense of order—this layout might be for you. It uses a repeating layout of duplicate 9″ blocks all the way around the featured center star…that means you only need to make 10 (2 each) of the 9″ blocks, and you can pick your favorites to have this setting that is grounded in its symmetry.

Here’s the fun part: you can still follow along with Blockheads and just make two of the same block each time you sew! It’s a way to keep sewing and stay in the mix without having to make a different block every week.

The result is calm, balanced, and super effective at letting your colors shine. I love how this version highlights the center star block without feeling busy.

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Layout Option 2: All Blocks Welcome!

This version is for the maximalists, the completionists, and the “I wanna make every block!” crew. This layout uses every 9″ block from the Blockheads 6 series, paired with a 27″ center block called Folk Star.

This one is definitely a bigger time investment, because you will need to make sure to make each block…but it’s also a total showstopper. The Folk Star block at the center acts like a magnetic core, and the surrounding blocks radiate out from there, full of life and movement.

You will need to select 2 blocks to duplicate. There are 18 9″ blocks in Blockheads and you need 20 for the layout. I doubled up on What a Lark! by Janet Clare and Wholehearted (Block 19–Coming Soon) by Jackie MacDonald—those two really spoke to me. You can see I placed them across from each other.

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Pattern and Finishing Instructions

If you’re sewing along with Blockheads 6 and want to recreate this star-centered stunner, here’s how to bring it all together.

This layout uses:

• One center block: the Folk Star (27″ x 27″)
• Twenty 9″ blocks: any of your Blockheads 6 favorites
• Twenty Ninth Wonder blocks: from Week 17

All blocks are set in a 7 x 7 grid layout, which finishes at 63″ x 63″ before borders.

Border Instructions

To frame your masterpiece and bring the final quilt size to 72″ x 72″, add simple 5″ borders all the way around.

What You’ll Need

• 1 yard of border fabric
• Assumes 42″ width of fabric (WOF)

Cutting Instructions

From your border fabric, cut 7 strips at 5″ x WOF.

Piecing and Attaching Borders

1. Join strips: Sew strips together end to end. Press seams open.
2. Measure and cut borders:
   • Cut two border strips to 63.5″ (for left and right sides).
   • Cut two border strips to 72″ (for top and bottom).
3. Attach borders:
   • Sew the side borders first (63.5″ strips).
   • Then sew the top and bottom borders (72″ strips).
   • I recommend pressing your seams open.

Finishing Touches

• Backing fabric: You’ll need approximately 4 2/3 yards of standard-width fabric or 2 1/4 yards of wideback.
• Binding: Cut 7 strips at 2½” x WOF for a standard double-fold binding.

Choose Your Own Adventure!

You don’t have to decide on a layout for Blockheads 6 right away. My suggestion? Start sewing the weekly blocks, use colors that make your heart skip, and see what you’re drawn to. Whether you go with a smaller variation of blocks or full sampler-style, these blocks are designed to shine—and your quilt will, too.

I’ll be sharing more of my progress (and yes, maybe even making both versions 👀) over on Instagram at @littlequiltingcloset. I’d love to see what you’re sewing, too! Feel free to tag me or use the hashtag #ModaBlockheads6 so we can cheer each other on.

Happy stitching!