Moda Fabrics Preservation Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Preservation Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Moda Fabrics Preservation Quilt is a free, downloadable PDF quilting pattern designed by Moda Fabrics as part of their Preservation 1830–1850 collection, with design credit to Howard Marcus. This is the nineteenth in a series of patterns inspired by historic quilts, making it a meaningful addition to any collector's or enthusiast's library. The finished quilt measures a generous 100" x 100", making it a full-size, statement piece suitable for a bed or display.

Historical Inspiration

This pattern draws direct inspiration from an original Medallion quilt dating to 1830, originating from England. The antique quilt is a classic example of Northumberland patchwork, a regional English quilting tradition that flourished during the first half of the nineteenth century. The defining characteristic of this style is a central, uncut pre-printed panel surrounded by a series of pieced borders — a format that was highly fashionable during the 1830–1850 period. The Preservation pattern faithfully recreates this medallion format, featuring five different pieced borders framing the central panel.

What Is Being Made

Quilters following this pattern will construct a large, 100" x 100" medallion-style quilt. The design is built around a central pre-printed fabric panel that remains uncut, preserving its full design as the focal point of the quilt. Radiating outward from this center are multiple distinct pieced borders, each adding visual complexity and historical character to the finished piece.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty. While the medallion format is a classic and well-established quilting structure, the combination of five different pieced borders and precise border-fitting techniques requires a solid foundation in quilting skills. It is best suited to quilters who are comfortable with accurate cutting, consistent seam allowances, and pressing techniques.

Techniques Used

• Medallion quilting – constructing a quilt from a central panel outward, adding successive rounds of borders
• Patchwork piecing – assembling fabric pieces into geometric units to form each of the five distinct borders
• Strip cutting and subcutting – cutting fabric into strips (such as 3½" x 22" strips) and then subcutting into individual units (such as 3½" x 3½" squares)
• Pressing as you go – pressing seams in one direction after each step to ensure flat, accurate construction
• Careful labeling of cut pieces – the pattern instructs quilters to label each piece with both its size and the round in which it is used, a best practice for managing complex multi-border projects

Stitches and Construction Details

• All piecing is done with a standard ¼" seam allowance, which is the quilting industry standard for accurate patchwork
• Seams are pressed in a single consistent direction throughout construction
• The pattern follows a structured Construction and Assembly sequence, with cutting instructions integrated into the build order for clarity

Materials – Fabric and Notions

This is a fabric and quilting pattern rather than a yarn or fiber arts project. Key materials include:

• Quilting cotton fabric from the Moda Fabrics Preservation 1830–1850 collection, designed to coordinate with the historical aesthetic of the pattern
• A pre-printed fabric panel (referred to as Fabric 2 Panel in the pattern), which serves as the uncut medallion center
• Fat quarters – the pattern references cutting from fat quarters for specific border units, such as the 3½" x 22" strips and 3½" x 3½" squares
• Standard quilting tools including a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilting ruler for accurate strip and square cutting
• WOF (Width of Fabric) measurements are used throughout, indicating yardage cuts across the full fabric width