Moda Fabrics Sunshine Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Sunshine Quilt Pattern Summary

The Moda Fabrics Sunshine Quilt is a downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Moda Fabrics as part of their Collection for a Cause series — specifically the 20th in the series. This intermediate-level quilting project produces a finished quilt measuring 68" x 70", making it a generous lap or throw size. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, offering excellent value for quilters looking to expand their skills with a structured, multi-fabric project.

About the Sunshine Quilt Design

The Sunshine Quilt is a pieced quilt pattern that incorporates a shirt block design as its central repeating motif. The layout features individual blocks set together with a structured sashing and border system, giving the finished quilt a clean, organized appearance with strong visual rhythm. The combination of precise piecing within the blocks and the framing effect of the sashing creates a quilt that is both visually appealing and technically rewarding to construct.

This is an intermediate difficulty pattern, meaning it is best suited to quilters who are comfortable with accurate cutting, consistent seam allowances, and pressing techniques. Beginners who have completed a few simpler projects may also find this an achievable and satisfying challenge.

Techniques Used

• Precision rotary cutting — multiple fabric pieces are cut to exact measurements from width-of-fabric (WOF) strips, requiring careful labeling as pieces are cut
• Strip cutting and sub-cutting — strips are cut first, then sub-cut into rectangles and smaller strips of specific dimensions
• Pieced block construction — the shirt block is assembled from multiple labeled fabric pieces (A, C, D, E and others), requiring careful organization
• Sashing construction — both horizontal sashing strips (2½" x 14½") and vertical sashing strips (2½" x 11¾") are used to frame and separate the individual blocks
• Border application — an outer border is added using strips cut at 3½" x WOF, finishing the quilt with a clean, structured edge
• Pressing techniques — seams are pressed as you go and in one direction, which is essential for flat, accurate piecing throughout the quilt

Quilt Block Details

The central design element is the shirt block, which is constructed from several precisely cut fabric pieces. Quilters are instructed to label all pieces as they are cut and to refer to the shirt block diagram included in the pattern. The block uses the following labeled components:

• Piece A — 2¾" x 6" rectangles cut from Fabric 2 (44 total)
• Piece C — 1¼" x 3¾" rectangles cut from Fabric 2 (23 total)
• Piece D — 1¼" x 13" strips cut from Fabric 1 (22 total)
• Piece E — 1¼" x 11¾" strips cut from Fabric 1 (44 total across two cutting sessions)

The careful labeling system built into the pattern helps intermediate quilters keep track of the many small components that come together to form each shirt block, reducing the risk of piecing errors during assembly.

Fabric and Materials

The Sunshine Quilt pattern is designed for quilting cotton fabric, consistent with the Moda Fabrics brand and their Collection for a Cause fabric lines. The pattern references at minimum two distinct fabrics:

• Fabric 1 — serves as the background, sashing, and border fabric, requiring cuts at multiple widths including 14½", 13", 11¾", and border strips
• Fabric 2 — used for the block piecing elements, cut into rectangles and strips at 6", 3¾", and 3½" widths

As with all quilting projects, recommended materials include a rotary cutter