Michael Miller Fabrics Jewels - Downloadable PDF

Michael Miller Fabrics Jewels Quilt Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF by Lisa Swenson Ruble

The Jewels pattern is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Lisa Swenson Ruble and published by Michael Miller Fabrics. It produces a stunning 48" wide by 60" tall quilt top — a generously sized throw or lap quilt ideal for showcasing bold, coordinated fabric collections. Rated as a Confident Beginner project, Jewels is accessible to quilters who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore more structured cutting and assembly techniques, including the rewarding world of paper piecing.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a quilted throw blanket measuring 48" x 60". The design features a jewel-like geometric arrangement that takes advantage of directional stripe fabrics cut on the diagonal to create dynamic, faceted shapes reminiscent of cut gemstones. The interplay of deep Aubergine tones and soft Cameo hues gives the quilt a rich, jewel-toned aesthetic. The pattern is part of the Strata collection available on the Michael Miller Fabrics website.

Techniques Used

• Paper piecing – The pattern explicitly requires knowledge of paper piecing techniques. Paper piecing (also called foundation paper piecing or FPP) involves sewing fabric pieces onto a printed paper foundation in a specific sequence, allowing for precise construction of complex or angled shapes that would be difficult to achieve with traditional piecing alone.
• Diagonal cutting at a 45° angle – Fabrics A and B are cut on the diagonal to align the directional stripe of each fabric correctly within the block. This is a key technique in the pattern, requiring careful attention to grain line and stripe orientation.
• Directional fabric alignment – Because the stripe in Fabrics A and B must run in a specific direction, the pattern instructs quilters to cut both standard diagonal pieces and reverse diagonal pieces from the same strips, ensuring the stripe flows correctly from all angles within the block.
• Strip cutting and subcutting – Multiple fabrics are cut into long strips across the width of fabric (42"), which are then subcut into precise rectangular pieces and squares to build the quilt's components efficiently.
• Half-square triangle construction – Fabric F squares (4-1/2") are cut in half diagonally to yield 80 individual triangles, which are incorporated into the block design to create the faceted jewel shapes.
• Binding application – Six 2-1/4" x 42" binding strips are cut from Fabric B to finish the quilt's edges with a clean, traditional bound border.

Stitches and Quilting Skills

• Straight stitch piecing – All quilt top assembly is done with standard straight-stitch sewing on a domestic sewing machine, joining fabric pieces along precise seam lines.
• Foundation paper piecing stitch lines – When working with the paper piecing sections, stitching is done directly through the paper foundation, typically with a slightly shortened stitch length for accuracy and easy paper removal.
• Seam pressing – While not explicitly detailed in the excerpt, accurate seam pressing is an essential quilting skill assumed throughout this type of structured block construction.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

The Jewels pattern is designed specifically around Michael Miller Fabrics prints and stripes. Seven coordinating fabrics are used in the quilt top, each identified by a specific colorway and fabric code:

• Fabric A – DCX8075 in Aubergine – 2 yards
• Fabric B – DCX8095 in Aubergine – 1¾ yards (also used for binding)
• Fabric C – DCX8493 in Aulait – ½ yard
• Fabric D – DCX8493 in Aubergine – ⅝ yard
• Fabric E – DCX8493 in Cameo –