Moda Fabrics Gardenvale Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Gardenvale Quilt Pattern – Downloadable PDF Summary

The Moda Fabrics Gardenvale Quilt is a stunning 80" x 80" square quilt pattern designed by Moda Fabrics and available as a free downloadable PDF. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this quilting project is ideal for sewists who are comfortable with rotary cutting tools and curved piecing techniques. The finished quilt makes a bold decorative statement through the use of classic Dresden Plate blocks arranged across the quilt top, combined with coordinating striped fabrics for the center circles.

What Is Being Made

The Gardenvale Quilt is a full-size, 80-inch by 80-inch quilt featuring a repeating Dresden Plate design. Dresden Plate blocks are a beloved traditional quilt motif made up of multiple fabric wedges sewn together in a circular or fan arrangement, then appliquéd onto a background fabric. In this pattern, 28 complete Dresden Plate blocks are constructed, each made from 20 matching wedges, giving the finished quilt a rich, coordinated look. Striped fabrics are specifically selected for the center circles of each Dresden Plate, adding a graphic, contemporary element to a classic block style.

Techniques Used

• Dresden Plate construction: Each plate is assembled from 20 individual fabric wedges cut using a specialty ruler, then joined to form the full circular or fan block.
• Rotary cutting with a specialty ruler: The pattern specifically calls for the EZ Dresden ruler, a tool designed to cut accurate, evenly angled wedge shapes. The ruler is aligned on the 2½" line along a dashed guide on the fabric strip, then rotated alternately to cut each successive wedge efficiently from the strip.
• Precise seam allowances: All construction uses a consistent ¼" seam allowance throughout, which is standard in quilting for accuracy and flat, well-matched seams.
• Directional pressing: The pattern instructs quilters to press seams in the direction of the arrows as indicated in the instructions, a technique that reduces bulk and helps seams nest together neatly when blocks are joined.
• Appliqué (center circles): Striped fabric is cut specifically for the center circles of the Dresden Plates, which are typically appliquéd over the center of the assembled wedge ring to finish the block cleanly.
• Strip cutting and batch cutting: Fabric is cut into 5" x length-of-fabric strips and then wedges are cut in batches — 20 wedges per strip — to maximize efficiency across the 28 plate sets.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight stitch piecing: Wedges are sewn together along their long edges using a straight machine stitch with a ¼" seam to form each Dresden Plate unit.
• Appliqué stitch: Center circles are applied to the assembled plates, typically using either a hand appliqué stitch or a machine appliqué method depending on the quilter's preference.

Materials Referenced

While the pattern does not specify a single fabric collection by name in the provided content, it is a Moda Fabrics design and is intended to be made using quilting cotton fabrics. Key material requirements include:

• Striped fabrics: Two striped quilting cotton fabrics are used — one 18" x width-of-fabric strip is cut from each for the center circles, with the remainder of each fabric cut into 7 strips of 5" x length of fabric for the wedges, yielding 14 strips total from the two striped fabrics combined.
• Assorted coordinating fabrics: A total of 28 sets of 20 matching wedges are required, implying a generous variety of fabrics to achieve the coordinated plate sets across the quilt.
• Specialty cutting tool: The EZ Dresden ruler is a required notions tool for accurately cutting the wedge shapes as directed in the pattern.
• Standard quilting supplies: A rotary cutter, cutting mat, quil