Challenge Wheel Block of the Month Choice
No April Fool’s tricks here… just a brand new block of the month for April!
It’s time to head back to the Challenge Wheel, give it a spin, and see what creative twist awaits us this month. I always love this part — that little moment of anticipation before we find out what direction our fabrics (and creativity!) are going to take.
Just like in the past few months, I’ve stitched up a test block using random fabrics to walk through the construction and layout. My version this time is done in gray tones since I haven’t had a chance to dive into my official Challenge Wheel fabrics just yet — but it will still give you a really clear idea of how the block comes together.
Once the wheel decides our official challenge, I’ll be making a second version that follows the selected theme. I can’t wait to see what April has in store — and even more, how each of you interprets it in your own unique way!
I included a polka dot fabric this month – wondering if I can beat the wheel this month! Let’s see what the wheel has in mind for us. Time to give that wheel a spin.
Challenge Wheel Block of the Month
Now it is time to head to the sewing room to make the Challenge Wheel Block!
April’s Directions
The directions are posted on the main 2026 Block of the Month page, and I’ll include a direct link here as well so you don’t have to go searching. My goal is always to keep everything easy to find and simple to follow — whether you’re sewing along right away or catching up when your schedule allows. In saying that, once you get to the main page, scroll down, and you will see the link for this month’s block.
Once the spin is complete and I’ve had time to sew, I’ll update this post with my finished block using the selected colors and fabrics. That way, you’ll be able to see the entire process — from the wheel spin to the completed block — all in one place.
Block of the Month Panic Moment
Let me tell you about my moment with this block… because I know I’m not the only one this has happened to!
When I was creating the corner units, I had a full-on panic, thinking I needed to make two blocks in one orientation and two in the mirror image. So what did I do? I stopped, grabbed the seam ripper, and started undoing what I had already sewn.
All for nothing.
What I wasn’t thinking about in that moment was the simplest solution — just rotate (or “spin”) the block to get the orientation I needed. No extra piecing. No mirrored units. Just a quick turn, and everything falls right into place.
What really threw me off was the disconnect between the original diagram and what I was seeing in my hands. Sometimes those flat drawings don’t immediately translate the way we expect when we’re working with actual fabric pieces.
It was definitely one of those “ohhhhhh… well that would have been easier!” moments.
Arrow Units Tips (and a Little Real Talk)
Let’s talk about those Arrow Units — because they can be a little sneaky!
When you start them, it feels just like you’re making a Flying Geese unit… nice and familiar. But it’s that second square where things shift a bit. You really need to pay attention to the direction you’re sewing so that the diagonal stripe forms correctly. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in how the unit reads.
Lining everything up can also be a bit tricky. What helped me was pinning directly along the diagonal seam before sewing the left and right sides together. That extra step kept things from shifting and made a noticeable difference in accuracy.
Now… let’s have an honest moment.
I’m sharing my worst block with you here — and nope, I’m not redoing it. Sometimes things don’t line up perfectly, and that’s okay. In my experience, a lot of those little imperfections tend to “come out in the wash.” Once the quilt is finished, quilted, washed, and dried, those spots that once bothered me seem to soften or disappear.
I like to think my little quilt fairy takes care of it.
One important tip for this block:
Press that center seam open.
I’ll be honest — I am usually a “press to one side” quilter because I worry about stress on the seams. But for this block, pressing the center seam open really helps reduce bulk and allows everything to lie flatter and line up better. This is one of those times where it’s absolutely worth it.
So if your arrows feel a little finicky, you’re not alone. Take your time, pin when needed, and remember — perfection isn’t the goal… finished (and loved) is
Finishing up the April Block of the Month
You just have to finish creating the center Square in a Square unit, as well as the outside border. I hope you enjoy this block as much as I did. We are a quarter of the way done with our Block of the Month this year.
I can’t wait to see your blocks this month — whether you jump in right away or join in when you can. Every version brings something new to the table, and that’s what makes this challenge so much fun.
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Until next time.
