Take Your Time With Those Points With This Block of the Month
It’s time for another month of our 2026 Challenge Wheel Block of the Month, and this month’s block brings together several familiar units we’ve already used throughout the year.
The smaller units within this block should feel pretty comfortable by now. We’ve practiced many of these techniques in previous blocks, so you’ll have a chance to put those skills to work again. However, there is one area of this block that may require a little extra patience: the point-to-point sections.
Take Your Time With the Points
The most challenging part of this block is getting those points to meet where the seams come together. This is one of those times when slowing down and taking your time can make a big difference.
My sample block is far from perfect when it comes to those points. And you know what? That’s okay!
Once I reveal the fabric chosen by the Challenge Wheel, I’ll have another opportunity to make this block again. I may even take what I learned from my first attempt and see if I can improve those tricky points the second time around.
That’s one of the things I love about quilting. Every block teaches us something!
When you’re sewing your units together, pay close attention to the areas where points need to meet. Pin if that helps you, use a stiletto or awl to carefully guide your fabric, and consider slowing your machine down as you approach those intersections. A little extra time here can help you achieve better results.
And remember—don’t expect perfection! Even experienced quilters have blocks where every point doesn’t line up exactly as planned. The important thing is to keep learning and enjoy the process.
A Tip About Pressing Your Seams
This month’s block also gives us a good opportunity to talk about something that can make a big difference when assembling your units: which direction you press your seams.
There are often recommended pressing directions included in quilt patterns, and sometimes those directions are intended to help seams nest together. That’s great when it works for your particular block.
But here’s my advice:
Press your seams in the direction that gives you the best results.
Sometimes following the suggested pressing direction will make your seams nest perfectly. Other times, especially with a complicated block, you may find that pressing a seam in the opposite direction makes the units fit together better or helps reduce bulk. And, even though I don’t usually press mine open, sometimes it is the best choice.
Don’t be afraid to change the pressing direction if it improves your block!
I also recommend laying your units out before sewing them together. Take a moment to look at where your seams will meet and decide which direction will work best. A little planning before you sew can save you from having to rip out seams later.
Keep Going!
This block may challenge you a little, but that’s part of the fun of our Challenge Wheel project! We’re building our skills one block at a time, and every month gives us an opportunity to try something new—or revisit a technique we’ve used before.
So take your time, especially when working on those point-to-point areas. Don’t rush the assembly, and remember that your block doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
And, of course, we need to reveal the fabric challenge for this month.
Happy quilting, and have fun with the August Challenge Wheel block! I need to go pull some fabrics to find the perfect geometric fabric for the August block.
If you need ideas for patterns, check out the Scrap Quilts page or the Quilt Block page. You can also sign up for my Facebook group to see the updates.
Happy quilting until next time.
Tamara
Quilting With Tamara