Michael Miller Fabrics Paradiso Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Michael Miller Fabrics Paradiso Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Marinda Stewart

The Paradiso Quilt is a stunning 40" x 58" quilted throw designed by Marinda Stewart and published by Michael Miller Fabrics as a free downloadable PDF pattern. Rated Confident Beginner, this project is an excellent choice for quilters who have mastered basic piecing and are ready to explore decorative surface embellishment through appliqué. The finished quilt combines a bold, colorful central panel with coordinating borders, binding, and a lush free-form floral appliqué arrangement that gives the piece its vibrant, garden-inspired character.

What Is Being Made

The Paradiso Quilt is a lap-sized quilted throw measuring approximately 40 inches wide by 58 inches tall. It features a large central fabric panel as its focal point, framed by pieced borders and finished with a coordinating binding. The surface of the quilt is further embellished with a free-form floral and leaf appliqué design, making it as much a decorative textile art piece as a functional blanket or throw. The pattern is designed to be approachable for confident beginners while producing a result that looks rich and complex.

Techniques Used

• Quilting and piecing: The quilt is constructed using standard quilting techniques, including cutting fabric to precise measurements and assembling borders around a central panel.
• Fussy cutting: The DDC8430 Multi Paradiso fabric is used for both the central panel and for fussy cutting individual floral and leaf motifs for the appliqué. Fussy cutting involves carefully selecting and cutting specific printed motifs from a fabric to use intentionally in a design, and the pattern notes that all of the remaining fabric is used for this purpose.
• Free-form appliqué: The flowers and leaves cut from DDC8430 Multi Paradiso are arranged in a loose, organic, free-form composition. The pattern explicitly encourages quilters to use the provided photo as inspiration rather than attempting an exact replica, making this a wonderfully creative and expressive step. Leaves are cut in both large and small sizes and fitted freely to the available space.
• Hand or machine appliqué finishing: The pattern offers the flexibility of finishing the appliqué by hand or by machine, making it adaptable to different skill sets and preferences.

Stitches Used

• Buttonhole stitch (blanket stitch): Used specifically for the appliquéd stems, this classic hand or machine embroidery stitch creates a neat, defined edge and adds a charming handcrafted quality to the floral design.
• Satin stitch: Used for all remaining appliqué elements, including the flowers and leaves. Satin stitch involves closely spaced parallel stitches that completely fill a shape, creating a smooth, solid, and polished surface. It is ideal for securing fabric appliqué pieces while adding a decorative, embroidered finish.

Fabrics and Materials

The Paradiso Quilt is built around a carefully curated selection of Michael Miller Fabrics prints and solids, each contributing to the quilt's bright, botanical palette. The following fabrics are specified in the pattern:

• DDC8430 Multi – Paradiso: 1 yard, used for the central panel (cut to 23½" W x 41½" H) and for fussy-cutting appliqué flowers and leaves.
• PC6500 Multi – Flower Fields: 1 yard, used for the border strips (cut at 1½" W x 36" H) and the binding strips (cut at 2½" W x 36" H).
• K4287 Luna – Krystal: 7/8 yard, used for border pieces cut at 5½" x 40½".
• K4058 Kiwi – Krystal: Used in the quilt construction; also listed as an optional backing fabric requiring 1¾ yards.
• SC5333 Asparagus – Cotton Couture: Fat quarter.
• CX6574 Grape – Little Stripe: Fat eighth.
• CX6574 Candy – Little Stripe: Fat eighth.