Moda Fabrics Circa 1889 Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Circa 1889 Quilt – Downloadable PDF Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Circa 1889 Quilt is a beautifully structured intermediate-level quilting pattern designed by Howard Marcus for Moda Fabrics, available as a free downloadable PDF. This pattern is part of the Calumet Mill Book Series and carries a meaningful purpose: it is designed to benefit The Quilts of Valor Foundation, an organization dedicated to honoring and comforting military service members and veterans through the gift of quilts.

Finished Sizes and Block Dimensions

The pattern includes two finished size options, giving quilters some flexibility in their final project dimensions:

• Finished Size Option 1: 70" x 70" – a generous square quilt suitable for lap or throw use
• Finished Size Option 2: 67" x 78" – a slightly rectangular layout well-suited to bed or comfort use
• Finished Block Size: 11" x 11" – a classic, manageable block size ideal for intermediate quilters working with precise piecing

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a traditional-style pieced quilt with a structured, repeating block layout. The design draws on classic American quilting aesthetics, fitting naturally within the Circa 1889 collection's historical and heritage-inspired theme. The finished quilt is large enough to serve as a meaningful gift, a comfort quilt for a veteran, or a striking decorative piece for the home.

Fabrics and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed to work with Moda fat eighths (F8ths), making it an excellent project for quilters who enjoy working with pre-cut or coordinated fabric collections. Key fabric details include:

• 15 red fat eighths – including one red tonal fat eighth set aside separately
• 15 blue fat eighths – used in parallel cutting and piecing alongside the red fabrics
• Quilters using Moda KIT46220 can skip the cutting directions in Section One and proceed directly to Section Two, as the kit provides pre-cut pieces

The two-color palette of red and blue gives the quilt a bold, patriotic character that aligns beautifully with its purpose of honoring service members through the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Cutting Techniques

Precise cutting is a central skill required for this pattern. Each fat eighth is cut into four 1½" x 22" strips, which are then sub-cut into specific segments. Careful strip cutting is emphasized throughout, as the pattern makes use of nearly the full length of each strip — up to 21 of 22 inches — minimizing waste while requiring accuracy. The sub-cutting breakdown for each strip is as follows:

• Strip 1: One 11½" segment and one 9½" segment
• Strip 2: One 11½" segment and one 9½" segment
• Strip 3: Two 7½" segments and one 5½" segment
• Strip 4: One 5½" segment, two 3½" segments, and two 1½" segments

This systematic strip-cutting approach is a hallmark of efficient quilting construction, allowing the quilter to work through a large number of fabric pieces in an organized and repeatable manner. It is particularly well-suited to intermediate quilters who are comfortable with rotary cutting and ruler work.

Quilting Techniques and Construction

The pattern follows standard quilting construction methods appropriate for an intermediate quilter. Key techniques and guidelines include:

• ¼" seam allowance included throughout all instructions — a standard in quilting that ensures accurate block sizing
• Press as you go – seams are pressed in one direction as construction progresses, which helps maintain flat, accurate blocks and reduces bulk at intersections
• Strip piecing – the cutting and assembly of long fabric strips before sub-cutting into units is a time-efficient technique that promotes consistency across multiple blocks
• Block-based construction –