Moda Fabrics Nomad Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Nomad Quilt Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Nomad Quilt is a downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed for intermediate-level quilters. The finished quilt measures 54" x 61", making it a generous lap or throw size that works beautifully as a statement piece or a functional everyday quilt. This free pattern from Moda Fabrics combines two distinct and engaging construction techniques — template cutting and paper piecing — resulting in a design with striking geometric precision and visual complexity.

What Is Being Made

The Nomad Quilt is a pieced quilt top that incorporates bold directional design elements, most notably an arrow shaft motif set against a coordinating background. The overall composition draws on a nomadic, travel-inspired aesthetic consistent with the Moda Fabrics brand sensibility. The finished quilt is assembled from up to 31 different fabrics, allowing for rich color variation, scrappy charm, or a carefully curated palette depending on the quilter's preference.

Construction Techniques Used

Template Cutting

The majority of the quilt's pieces are cut using printed templates rather than standard rotary-cut rectangles or squares. This technique is central to achieving the Nomad Quilt's precise geometric shapes. Quilters are instructed to cut all templates on a double fold of fabric with right sides together, which efficiently yields both a left and a right mirror-image piece in a single cut. For example, cutting 2 layers yields 4 pieces — 2 left and 2 right — ensuring symmetry throughout the design. Pieces should be labeled immediately with both the fabric number and the template letter to keep the many components organized during assembly.

Paper Piecing

Certain units within the Nomad Quilt are constructed using foundation paper piecing (FPP), a technique that involves sewing fabric pieces directly onto a printed paper foundation in a specific sequence. Paper piecing is well-suited to designs that require sharp points, intricate angles, and highly accurate seam lines that would be difficult to achieve through standard piecing alone. This method is particularly common in quilt patterns that feature arrow, star, or compass-style motifs. The combination of paper piecing with template-cut pieces gives the Nomad Quilt its distinctive, polished look.

Arrow Shaft Construction

A dedicated arrow shaft element is constructed separately using strip-piecing. Fabric 1 is cut into a 1½" x width-of-fabric (WOF) strip for the arrow shaft itself, while Fabric 31 is cut into 3" x WOF strips to form the arrow shaft background. Any remaining yardage from both fabrics is then used for paper piecing and template-cut pieces, making efficient use of every inch of material.

Stitches and Sewing Basics

The Nomad Quilt is constructed entirely with a standard straight stitch on a sewing machine, consistent with traditional quilting practice. The pattern follows core quilter's basics:

• ¼" seam allowance is included throughout all instructions and must be maintained consistently for accurate piecing.
• Press as you go is emphasized, with seams pressed in one direction to reduce bulk and ensure flat, even blocks.
• Quilters are strongly encouraged to read all instructions before beginning the project, particularly given the multi-technique nature of the construction.

Binding

The quilt binding is cut from Fabric 8, which yields six 2½" x WOF strips — a standard double-fold binding preparation. Any remaining yardage from Fabric 8 is incorporated into the quilt's template-cut pieces, again maximizing fabric efficiency.

Materials Overview

Fabric

The Nomad Quilt requires up to 31 different fabrics, reflecting the pattern's rich, multi-toned design. While specific fabric collections are not named within the pattern instructions, the design is well-suited to Moda Fabrics collections given the brand origin of the pattern. Quilters may choose