Moda Fabrics Desert Song Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Desert Song Quilt Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Desert Song Quilt is a downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Moda Fabrics, finishing at a generous 68" x 70". This intermediate-level quilting project is offered as a free download and features a striking star-based design that can be made with or without a fabric panel, giving quilters flexibility in how they showcase the Desert Song fabric collection.

Design Overview

The Desert Song Quilt is built around a dynamic arrangement of multi-sized star blocks, creating a layered, visually rich composition. The pattern includes stars in at least three distinct sizes — 8-inch stars, 12-inch stars, and a 24-inch large star — each constructed using classic patchwork techniques. Corner squares, filler rectangles, and background pieces frame the stars and give the overall quilt its cohesive, desert-inspired aesthetic.

Quilt Construction and Techniques

This pattern draws on several well-established quilting techniques that intermediate quilters will find both familiar and satisfying to execute:

• Half-Square Triangles (HSTs): Used extensively throughout the pattern, particularly for the Largest Star HSTs, which are cut from 12⅞" squares and then cut once on the diagonal to yield eight large triangles. HSTs are a foundational quilting unit that create the sharp, pointed star points characteristic of this design.
• Flying Geese Units: Both the 8" Star Flying Geese and 12" Star Flying Geese are constructed as part of the star block assembly. Flying Geese are rectangular units made from one larger rectangle and two smaller corner triangles, producing a triangular "goose" shape that forms the arms of each star.
• Star Corner Squares: The pattern includes dedicated 12" Star Corner Squares and 24" Star Corner Squares, cut and labeled carefully for easy piecing. These square units anchor the star blocks and contribute to the overall grid structure of the quilt top.
• Precise Cutting: The pattern emphasizes accurate cutting from Width of Fabric (WOF) strips. Key cuts include 3½" x WOF strips for background squares, 4½" x WOF strips for corner and filler units, and 1½" strips for Flying Geese components. The pattern recommends labeling pieces as they are cut to streamline the piecing process.
• Filler Rectangles: The design incorporates 7½" x 8½" filler rectangles cut from an 8½" x 42" strip, which are used to balance the composition and fill space between star blocks.
• Strip Piecing and Remainder Utilization: The cutting instructions are designed to be efficient, with remainder fabric from larger cuts reused for smaller star components, minimizing waste across the background yardage.

Block Breakdown

Large 24-Inch Star

The largest star block anchors the quilt and is constructed using the biggest HST units in the pattern. Its corner squares are trimmed to 4½" x 24½", and additional 1½" x 8½" strips are incorporated into its assembly. This block serves as a dramatic focal point within the overall layout.

12-Inch Star Blocks

The 12" star blocks use a combination of Flying Geese units cut at 1½" x 8½" and dedicated corner squares. These mid-sized stars provide visual rhythm and transition between the large central star and the smaller accent stars.

8-Inch Star Blocks

The 8" star blocks are the smallest stars in the composition, constructed from Flying Geese and background units cut from the remainder of the background WOF strips. Their smaller scale adds detail and texture to the quilt's surface.

Panel Option

One of the notable features of this pattern is its flexibility: it can be made with or without a fabric panel. This makes it an excellent choice for quilters who want to feature