Moda Fabrics Murmuration Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Murmuration Quilt Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Murmuration Quilt is a downloadable PDF quilting pattern designed to create a stunning 50" x 60" finished quilt featuring an on-point block layout with sashing, cornerstones, and setting triangles. This intermediate-level project is offered as a free download from Moda Fabrics and is designed to showcase the Murmuration fabric collection. The quilt's name evokes the sweeping, coordinated movement of starling flocks, and the design reflects that sense of flowing visual rhythm through its carefully arranged blocks and contrasting fabric values.

Finished Dimensions and Materials Overview

The completed quilt measures 50 inches wide by 60 inches tall, making it an ideal lap quilt or throw size. Each pieced block finishes at 8" x 8". The pattern requires the following materials:

• Lulu Layer Cake (33580LC) — one full Layer Cake (a pre-cut bundle of 10" squares) serves as the primary fabric source, providing both the dark print (blue) and light print (cream) squares needed for the blocks, cornerstones, and setting triangles
• Binding fabric (33586 14) — one half yard is required, cut into six 2¼" x WOF strips for a traditional double-fold binding
• Backing fabric — 3½ yards required to cover the quilt back
• Batting — a 58" x 68" piece of batting is needed, allowing for several inches of overhang on all sides during the quilting process

Techniques Used

This pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, meaning it is best suited for quilters who are comfortable with basic patchwork and are ready to explore more involved construction methods. The key techniques employed throughout the Murmuration Quilt include:

• Half Square Triangles (HST) — created by cutting 6½" squares once diagonally, these units are used specifically as corner setting triangles to complete the on-point layout at each corner of the quilt
• Quarter Square Triangles (QST) — formed by cutting squares twice diagonally, these units serve as side setting triangles along the edges of the on-point layout; the pattern notes that 16 QST are made for the sides, with 2 remaining unused
• On-point block setting — the 8" finished blocks are rotated 45 degrees and set diagonally, a technique that adds visual energy and movement to the overall quilt design, requiring the use of both HST and QST setting triangles to fill in the edges and corners
• Sashing and cornerstones — the blocks are separated by sashing strips cut to 2½" x 6½" rectangles (22 total), with 2½" cornerstone squares (32 total) cut from assorted dark print blue Layer Cake squares to create a grid-like framework between the blocks
• Borders — seven 2½" x WOF strips are cut and added to frame the finished quilt center

Block Construction

The central design unit is the 8" x 8" finished block, assembled from the assorted print squares within the Lulu Layer Cake (33580LC). The pattern directs quilters to separate the Layer Cake squares by value — dark print (blue) squares and light print (cream) squares — and use them in specific roles throughout the quilt. This value contrast is essential to making the block design read clearly and creating the visual movement characteristic of the Murmuration aesthetic.

Cutting from the Layer Cake

• From dark print (blue) 10" Layer Cake squares: cut 32 squares at 2½" for use as cornerstones in the sashing layout
• From light print (cream) 10" Layer Cake squares: subcut pieces as directed for block assembly and setting triangle construction
• Two 6½" squares are each cut once diagonally to yield four HST corner setting triangles
• Enough squares are cut twice diagonally to