An all-around charming accent for your kitchen

Whether you cook as a hobby or simply as a means to prepare the next meal, the kitchen is a special place in the home. It can be a place to gather and share time while cooking, a source of warm and inviting smells throughout the home, and or an opportunity to pour love and care into the food we prepare for our families and ourselves. It’s a wonderful thing to bring thoughtful, charming accents into this space that say “sit down, relax and stay awhile – this is a joyful place!” And, it’s even more meaningful when these accents come from your very own hands and creativity.

This potholder takes a potentially unremarkable kitchen necessity to another level with its unique round shape. It has a little pocket for your hand so you can safely have a firm grip on any hot item you want to grab hold of, and it’s backside and front give three possibilities for featuring your favorite fabrics.

This one was made by my helper Ulrike Brauns, and she quilted it with a crosshatch stitching. I think this detail gives the potholder a very cute, charming look. And, since everyone needs potholders, it would make a lovely gift for a friend who is a hobby cook or baker – or for anyone who spends time in their kitchen!

This potholder was sewn by Ulrike Brauns– find her on Instagram @ulrike_brauns

And now on to this week’s Block for our year-long sew-along… Ready?

FREE QUILT ALONG BLOCKHEADS 2020
BLOCK #18
BIRD AND URNE

It’s time for one of my favorite things – sharing the next block in our Moda Blockheads year-long quilt-along!

Brand new to Blockheads? First of all, welcome! Each week we share a free block pattern from a Moda designer. We’re 18 weeks in and we’ll be going for an entire year! One of the best parts of this adventure is seeing how people interpret the blocks as we share them in our wonderful Facebook community or on Instagram using the hashtags #modablockheads and #modablockheads3. It’s amazing to see how one design can be represented so many different ways, and the new friendships and community that take place are also so rewarding.

To catch up on all the fun we’ve had so far, go back through the last several blog posts, get caught up and join at any time. Be sure to check out this post to find out what fabrics you’ll need to create your own unique sampler quilt using free block patterns from Moda designers each week. And if you’ve been sewing along with us, be sure to share your blocks so we can cheer you on and be inspired by your creativity!

You may also want to go back and check out Blockheads 2, our last Moda Blockheads adventure. It was a fantastic time, and this year’s Blockheads experience is turning out to be just as amazing.

This week’s Blockheads host is Jan Patek. Jan is well known as one of the first designers working with Moda, and she’s been with them for more than a decade. Jan is also known as a traditional quilter and her favorite thing is to hand appliqué. My Zen Chic style is more contemporary than Jan’s, so I decided to create an alternative block for you.

The idea for the block was inspired by Jan’s, and also has a stem with three flowers. It’s partly pieced and partly appliquéd, but most of all has a more contemporary look. So, since Jan is the host today and deserves all the attention, I’ll link to her blog and block pattern in this post for the original instructions for her block. The instructions for my alternative block will be revealed in our Friday post (two days from now), so tune in then to get the template and how-to for this contemporary alternative block!

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

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!

What is your favorite thing to cook? Share with us in the comments below!