Moda Fabrics Simple Chain Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Simple Chain Quilt Pattern Summary

The Simple Chain Quilt is a downloadable PDF quilting pattern designed by Moda Fabrics, finishing at a generous 66" x 78" — a versatile size suitable as a throw or a twin bed accent. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this pattern is an excellent project for quilters who are comfortable with basic strip piecing and are ready to explore classic chain-style block construction. Best of all, this pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible choice for quilters at any budget.

Design Overview

The Simple Chain design is built around the timeless visual effect of interlocking chain blocks, a traditional quilting motif that creates the illusion of continuous linked shapes across the quilt surface. The pattern cleverly combines a chain block center with a pieced border and an outer border, giving the finished quilt a polished, layered look. The cover version of the quilt features the "Simply Color" Junior Jelly Roll™ by Vanessa Christenson for Moda, showcasing how beautifully pre-cut strip collections translate into this design.

What Is Being Made

• Project type: A full-size quilt top measuring 66" x 78", complete with a chain block interior, pieced border, outer border, and binding.
• The design is well-suited for display as a throw quilt, a lap quilt, or a decorative bed topper.
• The pattern encourages quilters to make more than one Simple Chain quilt using different favorite Moda fabrics, making it a repeatable, stash-friendly project.

Techniques Used

The Simple Chain pattern is built on efficient, beginner-friendly techniques that are well within reach for intermediate quilters:

• Strip piecing: The backbone of this pattern. Pre-cut strips are sewn together into strip sets, which are then sub-cut into segments. This method dramatically reduces the number of individual pieces that need to be cut and sewn, speeding up construction considerably.
• Sub-cutting: Strip sets are sub-cut into precise segments to form the chain block units, a standard technique in quilting that ensures consistency across all blocks.
• Sashing construction: Small 2½" x 2½" squares are used as sashing elements to separate and frame the chain blocks, adding structure and visual rhythm to the quilt layout.
• Pieced border construction: Rather than a simple solid border, the pattern includes a pieced border built from reserved Jelly Roll strips and 2½" x 4½" rectangles, adding an extra layer of design detail around the quilt's perimeter.
• Outer border and binding: A final outer border frames the entire quilt, and binding completes the edges with a clean, professional finish.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight-line piecing: All block and border construction relies on straight seams, making this pattern approachable for quilters who have mastered basic machine sewing.
• Accurate ¼" seam allowances are essential throughout, as is standard in quilting, to ensure that all strip sets, sub-cut segments, sashing pieces, and border units align correctly when assembled.
• Pressing seams between steps is implied throughout the strip-piecing process to maintain flat, accurate units.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

The pattern is specifically designed to work with Jelly Roll™ pre-cut strips — a popular Moda format consisting of 2½"-wide strips cut across the width of fabric (WOF). The "Simply Color" Junior Jelly Roll™ by Vanessa Christenson is featured on the pattern cover and contains exactly the 21 strips of 2½" x WOF called for in the pattern, making it a perfect pairing.

Fabric Requirements at a Glance

• Chain and Pieced Border: 21 strips of 2½" x WOF —