Moda Fabrics Jelly Bean Trees Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Jelly Bean Trees Quilt Pattern Summary

The Jelly Bean Trees Quilt by Moda Fabrics is a stunning intermediate-level quilting project that produces a finished quilt measuring 64" x 72". This downloadable PDF pattern guides quilters through the construction of a design built entirely around curved piecing, resulting in a visually dynamic, tree-inspired composition. The pattern is available as a free download, making it an excellent choice for quilters looking to develop or refine their curved-seam skills without a financial commitment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a full-sized bed or lap quilt measuring 64 inches wide by 72 inches tall, constructed from 52 curved blocks, each finishing at 8" x 8" (cut at 8½" x 8½" unfinished). The blocks are arranged to create the impression of stylized, rounded trees, a look that is achieved through the careful orientation and assembly of curved template pieces. The design also incorporates several larger background pieces that frame the block arrangement and contribute to the overall tree-like silhouette of the finished quilt.

Techniques Used

The defining technique in this pattern is curved piecing, which is the process of sewing together two fabric pieces that have opposing curved edges — one convex and one concave — to create a smooth, rounded seam. This is considered one of the more challenging fundamental skills in quilting, and the pattern is rated intermediate difficulty as a result. Curved piecing requires careful preparation, pinning, and slow, controlled sewing to avoid puckers or misaligned edges.

• Template cutting: Both Template A and Template B pieces are cut using provided templates. Template A pieces are cut from background fabric, while Template B pieces are cut from an assortment of print fabrics. Careful rotation of the template by 180° after each cut is recommended to minimize fabric waste.
• Center-matching and end-aligning: Before sewing, quilters crease the center of each template piece and align these creased centers when pinning Template A to Template B. Both ends of the templates are also pinned so they form a straight edge, ensuring accurate block construction.
• Controlled curved sewing: Stitchers are instructed to shorten their stitch length slightly and begin with the needle in the down position. Template B is placed on top while sewing. Fingers are used to smooth and align the fabric edges continuously as the seam progresses, preventing puckers and ensuring a clean ¼" seam allowance throughout the curve.
• Strategic pressing: Seams are deliberately not pressed immediately after sewing each block. Instead, pressing is reserved for the quilt assembly stage so that seams can be nested properly, resulting in flatter, more precise intersections.
• Directional print planning: The pattern draws attention to the orientation of directional prints, offering guidance on how to adjust cutting so that printed motifs remain upright or consistently oriented within the finished quilt. Quilters are directed to reference the quilt assembly diagrams for block orientation before cutting.
• Large background piecing: In addition to the curved blocks, the pattern involves cutting and incorporating several larger background rectangles and squares — including a 16½" x 32½" strip, a 16½" x 24½" strip, a 16½" square, and a 16½" x 8½" strip — which are integrated into the overall quilt layout.

Stitches Used

• Straight stitch: All piecing in this quilt is done with a standard straight stitch on a sewing machine. A slightly shortened stitch length is specifically recommended for the curved seams to provide greater control and a more secure, smooth join along the curves.
• ¼" seam allowance: A precise quarter-inch seam is used throughout the entire pattern, which is the quilting standard and critical for ensuring that all blocks measure correctly and the quilt top lies flat.

Materials Referenced

This is a quilting project worked on a sewing machine rather than by hand, so the primary tools and materials are fabric-based rather than yarn or needles in the knitting sense.

• Print fabrics: A total of 13 print fabrics are used, each requiring approximately ¼ yard or one fat quarter. From these, 52 Template B pieces are cut in an assortment of prints, creating the colorful, tree-canopy effect