About the Modern Plus
The plus quilt is a modern favorite: crosses of color set into a grid so evenly that the background becomes a pattern of its own. The sashing and the little cornerstones are cut from the background fabric, so the spaces between the crosses read as one calm field. It's made only from squares and rectangles, and every seam is straight, so it's an easy place to start if you've never quilted. Every piece is cut from strips, and the cutting chart lists the strips first and the subcuts after, so the cutting goes quickly. It's also a good home for a fat quarter bundle you've been saving. Use one color per plus for a scrappy look, or keep them all the same for a calm, minimal one. A single border in an accent color frames the whole quilt. Quilt it with straight lines that echo the crosses, or with an allover meander for a softer finish. The same block carries from a baby quilt all the way up to a king, so you can make a small one first.
How much fabric for a Modern Plus quilt
| Fabric | Baby | Throw | Twin | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric A | ⅞ yd | 1⅞ yd | 3⅞ yd | 4¾ yd | 4¾ yd | 6⅝ yd |
| Fabric B | ½ yd | 1 yd | 2 yd | 2½ yd | 2½ yd | 3⅝ yd |
| Fabric C | ½ yd | ⅞ yd | ⅞ yd | ¾ yd | 1¼ yd | ⅞ yd |
| Backing, 42-in fabric | 2¾ yd in 2 panels | 3¾ yd in 2 panels | 6¾ yd in 3 panels | 7⅞ yd in 3 panels | 8¼ yd in 3 panels | 9¼ yd in 3 panels |
| Backing, 108-in wide | 1⅜ yd | 1⅞ yd | 2¼ yd | 2⅝ yd | 2¾ yd | — |
| Binding | ½ yd, 5 strips × 2½ in | ⅝ yd, 7 strips × 2½ in | ¾ yd, 9 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | 1 yd, 12 strips × 2½ in |
| Batting | 48½ × 48½ in | 66½ × 66½ in | 80½ × 96½ in | 94½ × 94½ in | 98½ × 98½ in | 110½ × 110½ in |
- Baby works from 2 fat quarters plus ⅞ yd background and ½ yd Fabric C for the borders.
- Throw works from 4 fat quarters plus 1⅞ yd background and ⅞ yd Fabric C for the borders.
- Twin works from 9 fat quarters plus 3⅞ yd background and ⅞ yd Fabric C for the borders.
- Full works from 11 fat quarters plus 4¾ yd background and ¾ yd Fabric C for the borders.
- Queen works from 11 fat quarters plus 4¾ yd background and 1¼ yd Fabric C for the borders.
- King works from 15 fat quarters plus 6⅝ yd background and ⅞ yd Fabric C for the borders.
Yardage includes a 10 % margin and is worked out from the cutting plan in the pattern, never estimated. 42-in fabric, 40 in usable.
Modern Plus quilt sizes
| Size | Finished | Blocks | Block | Borders | Mattress | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 40½ × 40½ in | 2 × 2 | 13½ in | 3 in Fabric C | — | — |
| Throw | 58½ × 58½ in | 3 × 3 | 13½ in | 4 in Fabric C | — | — |
| Twin | 72½ × 88½ in | 4 × 5 | 13½ in | 3 in Fabric C | 39 × 75 in | 16¾ in |
| Full | 86½ × 86½ in | 5 × 5 | 13½ in | 2 in Fabric C | 54 × 75 in | 16¼ in |
| Queen | 90½ × 90½ in | 5 × 5 | 13½ in | 4 in Fabric C | 60 × 80 in | 15¼ in |
| King | 102½ × 102½ in | 6 × 6 | 13½ in | 2 in Fabric C | 76 × 80 in | 13¼ in |
Baby · 40½ × 40½ in · a crib, stroller or play-mat quilt Throw · 58½ × 58½ in · a sofa or lap quilt Twin · 72½ × 88½ in · fits a 39 × 75 in mattress with a 16¾ in drop Full · 86½ × 86½ in · fits a 54 × 75 in mattress with a 16¼ in drop Queen · 90½ × 90½ in · fits a 60 × 80 in mattress with a 15¼ in drop King · 102½ × 102½ in · fits a 76 × 80 in mattress with a 13¼ in drop
Baby · 2 × 2 blocks · 40.5 × 40.5 in 
Throw · 3 × 3 blocks · 58.5 × 58.5 in 
Twin · 4 × 5 blocks · 72.5 × 88.5 in 
Full · 5 × 5 blocks · 86.5 × 86.5 in 
Queen · 5 × 5 blocks · 90.5 × 90.5 in 
King · 6 × 6 blocks · 102.5 × 102.5 in
What you'll piece
- Baby 4 plus blocks, 1 border
- Throw 9 plus blocks, 1 border
- Twin 20 plus blocks, 1 border
- Full 25 plus blocks, 1 border
- Queen 25 plus blocks, 1 border
- King 36 plus blocks, 1 border
The steps
- Cut strips across the width, then subcut
- Piece the plus blocks
- Join the blocks into rows
- Add the borders
- Back, quilt and bind
Step names only. Every step is drawn out in the PDF with the measurements for your size.
What's in the PDF
- Cover and fabric key
- Fabric requirements for every size in one table
- Cutting chart: strips first, then subcuts
- Block assembly with pressing directions
- Quilt assembly and borders
- Backing, batting and binding
- A coloring page to plan your fabrics
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See it in color
The same geometry in 7 fabric choices. The blank coloring page below lets you plan your own.
As drafted 
Jewel 
Sunset 
Ocean 
Pastel 
Midnight 
Garden
Plan your colors
The blank layout, free. Print it, try your fabrics with colored pencils, and buy the pattern when you like what you see.
Questions about the Modern Plus
- How many blocks for a queen Modern Plus quilt?
- 25 blocks, 5 × 5, each 13½ in finished.
- How much backing for the king?
- 9¼ yd of 42-in fabric in 3 panels.
- Can I use fat quarters?
- Yes. The throw takes 4 fat quarters plus 1⅞ yd of background and ⅞ yd of Fabric C for the borders.
- What size is the finished throw?
- 58½ × 58½ in, a sofa or lap quilt.
- Is it beginner-friendly?
- Beginner: squares and rectangles only, every seam straight.
Ready to make it?
- Sizes Baby to king
- Skill Beginner
- Format PDF, Letter + A4
