Welcome to Blockheads 6 – Week 17: “Ninth Wonder” by Jessica Rose!

Welcome back, Blockheads! This week we’re stitching up Block 17: Ninth Wonder, designed by Jessica Rose of Quiltd Studios. Moda Friend Sarah Huechteman walks us through this classic yet versatile block, showing how simple piecing can create a design that’s both charming on its own and a perfect filler in larger quilt settings.

You can find this week’s pattern here: BH6 – Block 17 – Ninth Wonder by Jessica Rose of Quiltd Studios

Follow along with Jessica!

Instagram: @quiltdstudios
quiltdstudios.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.)

Gather Your Pieces

Before you begin, be sure to download and print the free block pattern from our blog or Facebook group. For one block, you’ll need a mix of squares in different sizes—most importantly, small pieces for a tidy little nine patch and larger strips to frame it. Sarah reminds us that if you’re making one of the larger settings (like My Favorite Color is Moda), the pattern provides both single-block and multi-block cutting instructions.

Building the Nine Patch

The star of this block is the nine patch center. Arrange your 1½″ squares in a simple 3x3 grid, taking care with placement if you’re mixing colors or using directional prints. Sew your rows together, then join the rows into a finished nine patch.

For smooth results, press your seams carefully. Sarah suggests pressing toward the darker fabric, alternating directions by row so that seams nest neatly when joined. For the final seams, she pressed open to reduce bulk and achieve a nice flat finish.

Pro Tip: Scrappy nine patches shine when you mix light, medium, and dark fabrics. Lay out all your squares before sewing to balance colors and avoid unpicking later.

Assembling the Block

Once your nine patch is complete, it’s time to bring the block together. With just a few more seams, you’ll frame the center square and complete your Ninth Wonder. The beauty of this design is its flexibility—it’s a great way to showcase tiny scraps or add a playful pop of color to your quilt layout.

Ready to make your Ninth Wonder blocks? Be sure to check out this week’s video for all the details!

Thanks to Jessica Rose!

A big thank you to Jessica Rose for contributing this simple yet delightful block to the Blockheads 6 series! Whether you use it as a standalone feature or as a filler block in your setting, Ninth Wonder is a versatile addition to your quilt.

Don’t forget to share your finished block with us! Post in the Moda Blockheads Facebook group (where over 82,000 quilters are sewing along!) or tag your photos with #modablockheads6 on Instagram.

— The Moda Team