Moda Fabrics Blooming Flower Boxes Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Blooming Flower Boxes Quilt Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Blooming Flower Boxes is a downloadable PDF quilt pattern that produces a stunning finished quilt measuring 59" x 59". Designed by Moda Fabrics, this intermediate-level quilting project combines the classic art of English Paper Piecing with traditional quilt block construction and appliqué, resulting in a design that is both visually striking and technically rewarding. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible choice for quilters looking to expand their skill set without a significant financial commitment.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a square lap or throw quilt measuring 59" x 59", built around a grid of fabric "boxes" — each centered with a hand-assembled hexagon flower appliqué. The design features 25 flower blocks, each showcasing a seven-hexagon rosette flower set against a solid-colored background square. The combination of bold Bella Solids and coordinating print fabrics from the Moda Fabrics Blooming Bunch collection creates a fresh, garden-inspired aesthetic with structured geometric appeal.

Design Overview and Layout

The quilt is organized into a grid of 10" x 10" Bella Solid background squares, each featuring a centered hexie flower. These flower blocks are framed and separated by sashing strips cut from a Layer Cake, creating the "box" effect referenced in the pattern name. Small 3.5" x 3.5" squares are used as cornerstones within the sashing layout, adding additional detail and color interaction across the quilt top.

Techniques Used

• English Paper Piecing (EPP): The hexagon flowers are constructed using traditional English Paper Piecing methods. Each of the 175 one-inch hexie papers is individually basted with fabric before being whip-stitched together into seven-hexagon rosette flowers. EPP is a hand-sewing technique prized for its precision and portability, making it a popular choice for quilters who enjoy hand work.
• Hexagon Flower Assembly: Hexies are grouped into sets of seven and joined using a whip stitch, carefully avoiding sewing through the paper templates. The pattern advises leaving papers in place until the flowers are ready to be appliquéd, ensuring the shapes remain crisp and well-defined.
• Appliqué: Once assembled, each hexie flower rosette is appliquéd onto the center of a Bella Solid 10" x 10" background square. The pattern instructs quilters to finger press each background square both vertically and horizontally to establish a center guide, then pin and secure each flower before stitching. Papers are removed just before the appliqué step, and the flowers are pressed to reinforce their shape.
• Topstitching: Each appliquéd hexie flower is secured with a topstitch approximately 1/8" from the edge, a clean machine-sewing finish that anchors the hand-pieced flowers firmly to the background blocks.
• Rotary Cutting and Strip Cutting: Precise rotary cutting is used throughout, including cutting 10" x 10" squares, 10" x 3.5" sashing rectangles, and 3.5" x 3.5" cornerstone squares from both the Layer Cake and Bella Solids yardage.
• Quilt Top Assembly and Sashing: The flower blocks are assembled into a full quilt top using sashing strips and cornerstones, a classic quilting construction technique that frames individual blocks and adds visual structure to the overall layout.
• Binding: The quilt is finished with a traditional straight-cut binding, using six 2.5" x WOF (width of fabric) strips.

Stitches Used

• Whip Stitch — used to join individual hexagons together during the English Paper Piecing flower construction
• Basting Stitch — used to secure fabric around the 1" hexie paper templates before assembly
• Topstitch — machine stitch applied 1/8" from the edge of each appliquéd