Moda Fabrics Halfway Around the World Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Halfway Around the World Quilt Pattern – Downloadable PDF Summary

The Halfway Around the World quilt pattern, designed by Debbie Maddy of Tiori Designs and published under Calico Carriage Quilt Designs®, is a free downloadable PDF from Moda Fabrics. This intermediate-level quilting project produces a striking 54" x 63" scrappy quilt built entirely from half square triangles (HSTs), making it a wonderfully approachable project for quilters who are comfortable with basic patchwork techniques but want a visually dynamic result.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a lap-sized quilt measuring 54 inches by 63 inches. The design achieves its eye-catching, "around the world" visual effect through the strategic arrangement of half square triangle blocks, creating a scrappy, colorful layout that draws the eye across the quilt surface. Despite its impressive appearance, the construction method is described as very simple to make, relying on a single, repeatable block unit throughout.

Techniques Used

• Half Square Triangle (HST) construction: The entire quilt is composed of half square triangle units. HSTs are one of the most fundamental building blocks in quilting, created by sewing two contrasting fabric squares together diagonally and pressing open to form a square unit with a diagonal seam.
• Cutting oversize and squaring up: The designer specifically recommends cutting fabric squares oversize before sewing, then trimming each finished HST unit down to the precise measurement using a specialty ruler. This technique improves accuracy and ensures all blocks are uniform in size.
• Ruler-based squaring up: The pattern references the use of a Bloc Loc 5½" Half Square Triangle ruler to square up completed HST units. This tool uses a groove that locks onto the diagonal seam, allowing for precise and consistent trimming. Alternative square-up rulers may also be used.
• Scrappy quilt layout: The use of multiple panel colorways alongside a neutral background creates a scrappy, varied aesthetic without requiring extensive fabric planning.

Stitches and Quilting Skills Involved

• Straight-line sewing: All construction seams are straight, making this accessible on any standard sewing machine.
• Diagonal seaming: Sewing across the diagonal of paired squares to form HST units is the core technique repeated throughout the quilt top.
• Pressing and squaring: Careful pressing of seam allowances and precise trimming are essential to achieving flat, accurate blocks.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

This pattern is specifically designed to showcase the Tochi fabric panels by Debbie Maddy for Tiori Designs. The required fabrics are as follows:

• Tochi Panel Blue – 1 full panel
• Tochi Panel Gold – 1 full panel
• Tochi Panel Grey – ½ panel
• Background fabric – 2⅛ yards; suggested options include Bella Solids White (9900-98) or Bella Solids Black (9900-99) by Moda Fabrics
• Binding – ⅝ yard
• Backing – 4 yards

The use of Moda Bella Solids as the background fabric provides a clean, high-contrast foundation that allows the colorful Tochi panel prints to take center stage. The Tochi panels themselves feature the distinctive prints associated with Debbie Maddy's design aesthetic, and the combination of blue, gold, and grey colorways creates a rich, multi-toned scrappy effect across the finished quilt.

Pattern Format and Designer Information

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, designed at an intermediate difficulty level. It was created by Debbie Maddy of Tiori Designs and published under her Calico Carriage Quilt Designs® label in 2020