Welcome to Blockheads 6 – Week 21: “Bowtie Ballet” by Vanessa Goertzen!

We’re nearing the finish line of Blockheads 6, and this week’s block brings a touch of timeless charm. Block 21: Bowtie Ballet was designed by Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique and is demonstrated by our friend Sarah Huechteman.

You can find this week’s pattern here: BH6 – Block 21 – Bowtie Ballet by Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

Follow along with Vanessa!

Instagram: @lellaboutique
lellaboutique.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 82,000 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.)

A Playful, Classic Block

Despite its elegant look, this block is built from two simple units: four patches and half-square triangles. It’s a perfect project for confident beginners and seasoned quilters alike.

Building the Four Patches

Start by downloading the pattern and gathering your fabric. Sarah uses four different bowtie colors plus a background fabric. You’ll be making eight four-patch units—each cut from 1⅝″ squares.

Lay out your pairs in alternating fabric order, sew the rows, and nest the seams for crisp intersections. Sarah pressed toward the darker fabric for nesting and then pressed the final seams open for a nice flat finish.

Making the Half-Square Triangles

The second element of the block is the half-square triangle (HST). Using 3¼″ squares, draw a diagonal line on the back of your background fabric, then sew a scant ¼″ on either side of the line. Cut apart, press to the dark side, and square up to 2¾″.

Sarah reminds us that you can make all your HSTs assembly-line style for efficiency. There’s also a linked tutorial if you need a refresher on squaring up.

Laying Out the Bowtie Units

Each corner unit of the block is made up of one four-patch and one HST, arranged so that the bowtie “ribbons” meet at the center. Consistency matters here: make sure all four-patch units are oriented the same way so the final block looks cohesive.

Once laid out, sew the top and bottom rows, press seams in opposite directions, then sew the final seam to bring the block together.

Pro Tip: Keep your four-patch units consistent. Pick one orientation for your seams and stick with it—this ensures the “bowtie” effect aligns perfectly in the final block.

Seeing It in Two Colorways

Sarah shares how strikingly different this block looks in two fabric treatments—one using prints and another using solids. The print version has a soft, chain-like effect, while the solid version is crisp and graphic. It’s a wonderful reminder that fabric choice can completely transform the look of a block.

Ready to make your own Bowtie Ballet block? Download this week’s pattern and watch our video this week for helpful tips!

A huge thank you to Vanessa Goertzen for this beautiful block design! Be sure to share your Bowtie Ballet creations with us in the Moda Blockheads Facebook group or on Instagram using #modablockheads6.

— The Moda Team