Modern Aztec Quilt Pattern | Choose your quilt adventure

She’s finally here! This pattern has been a long time in the making, and I couldn’t be more excited to share her with you!

Have you ever worked on a project that you were super fired up about, only to have to let it sit there patiently waiting for you to address other priorities before giving it your full attention?

That’s exactly what happened with the Modern Aztec quilt pattern. I designed her all the way back in the summer of 2017, but other quilting commitments kept me from being able to make her.

When I finally did, I unexpectedly changed the original design from 5-colours to 10-colours (more on that in a minute) and you loved it so much, I felt the pattern needed both options. You also showed lots of interest in the table runners, so I just kept adding to the pattern!

Hence why it took a little longer to bring her to life 😉

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Get the Modern Aztec Quilt Pattern here.

MODERN AZTEC PATTERN FEATURES & QUILT SIZES

Which brings me to the fun of sharing all the features and options available in the Modern Aztec pattern.

The pattern is structured in a way where there’s essentially 5 different patterns packaged in 1! That’s a lot of details and quilty math to get through! But my rock star pattern testers have done an amazing job helping me ensure the pattern is as clear and easy for you to navigate without losing all that information.

First up is the 5-colour quilt option. There are 7 different quilt size options to choose from, including:

Mini 24"x24"

Baby 36"x36"

Crib 36"x48"

Throw 60"x60"

Twin 72"x72"

Double 84"x84"

Queen 96"x96"

Then there’s the 10-colour quilt option with the fabric and cutting requirements for all the same sizes as the 5-colour option (i.e. mini through queen size).

There’s also a 5-colour table runner option 12"x36" and 16"x48".

A 10-colour table runner option in both the 12"x36" and 16"x48" sizing.

And there’s even a lumbar pillow!

To make the pattern easy to follow, each project is separated into its own section so you can just focus on the project you want to make without having the other projects getting in the way. Plus, you can just print the section you need so you save on paper and ink too!

Each project not only includes clear instructions, but also has step-by-step graphics so you can see what your piecing should look like.

The pattern also includes a colouring page for each of the project options. There’s even a placeholder for your fabric colour swatches to make it easy for you to plan out your own design.

The pattern includes pressing diagrams for each project and at each piecing step to make sure your seams nest for perfect points every time!

There are active hyperlinks throughout the pattern to take you to in-depth tutorials to help you if you need additional tips for your quilting success!

Plus, there are some additional colourways to inspire you even more!

Whew, that’s a lot of details and options!

MOD ROSE THROW QUILT – 5 COLOUR OPTION

The mod-rose Modern Aztec quilt is the original version I designed. And yet it was the last one I made!

The 5-colour option is perfect if you want to really focus on just a few of your favourite colour pairings. Here I went with a combination of greys and these dusty rose colours all balanced by the white background.

If you have a tough time picking fabrics, this is a great place to start. And the colouring page can help you plan it out so you can see if you like the pairings before committing to buying the fabric.

 

The design is quite bold and geometric, and you can play that up as much as you want through your fabric selection.

The pattern comes together quite quickly too!

The backing on the mod-rose quilt was an unexpected piecing journey! I entirely planned on backing it with the solid rose; however, when I started unrolling my yardage, I noticed all these spots that looked very much like oil stains – eek! I haven’t a clue how those got there. My fabric cupboard is just that – fabric – so there is no chance of anything spilling or staining my fabric.

I shared this with you on Instagram and turns out this is not a first. As I dug a little more, turns out this can happen at the manufacturing level when rolling the fabric onto the individual bolts. I’ve had dirt marks pop up in my yardage before, but usually on the edges. This was smack dab in the middle and they sporadically appeared throughout a 2-yard stretch.

Thankfully, I had just enough of the other colours left on hand to pull a backing together. There are a couple of small spots that I couldn’t avoid, so I’m hoping those come out in the wash. Otherwise, I guess I’ll get creative and add some hand stitching to cover it up 😉

Materials used in the Mod Rose Modern Aztec quilt include:

Kona Cotton Ash 

Kona Cotton Medium grey 

Kona Cotton Rose 

Kona Cotton Deep Rose 

Kona Cotton White 

White 50wt thread for piecing 

Dove 28wt thread for quilting 

Quilter’s Dream Cotton White batting 

Sew Fine Thread Gloss for conditioning my thread for hand binding 

Modern Aztec quilt pattern

In the end though, I like how it turned out. I’m almost digging the back more than the front! Especially since the quilting design really pops!

BEQUEST THROW QUILT – 10 COLOUR OPTION

I’ve shared this gorgeous Bequest Modern Aztec quilt with you before, but I wanted to share her again so you have a visual comparison of the 5-colour vs. the 10-colour option.

This was originally supposed to be a table runner, until the hubs saw the fabrics and was all “you have to go BIG”, which is how the 10-colour quilt was born!

The pattern includes all the fabric requirements and cutting instructions for the 10-colour option in its own area within the pattern, so you won’t get confused by the 5-colour instructions, as the piecing, cutting and fabric requirements are all different.

This is a great option if you would like to add more depth and interest to your final Modern Aztec quilt. If picking 10 fabrics makes you a little nervous, the 5-colour option is a great place to start. Otherwise, use the colouring page to help plan out your idea and see if you like the look before committing.

The design of the pattern is such that you really can’t go wrong, so dive in and have fun with it!

Here’s are round-up of the Bequest fabrics I used in the Modern Aztec throw quilt:

Looking Glass – Sky

Looking Glass – Lace

Tapestry – Velvet

Tapestry – Blueberry Scone (how awesome is this name?!)

Hope Chest – Blueberry Scone

Music Box – Quiet Evening

Music Box – Lace

Little Basket – Quiet Evening

Little Basket – Lace

Cup and Saucer – Sapphire

Cup and Sauce – Bluebird

Cup and Saucer – Lace

Loom – Frost

White Thread 50wt – piecing & quilting

Blue Thread 50wt - binding

Batting

Modern Aztec quilt pattern

You can read more about the Bequest Modern Aztec quilt here. 

SONATA MODERN AZTEC TABLE RUNNER – SMALL SIZE

The Sonata table runner features the 10-colour option in the smaller 12"x36" size. It’s the perfect size to fit nicely in the center of a standard dining table, without taking away too much room from your place settings.

This one comes together super quick and makes a great handmade housewarming gift too!

The table runners are fat quarter friendly, so perfect for featuring some of your favourite bundles!

Materials used in the Sonata table runner include:

Fabrics from Amy’s Sonata fabric collection, including:

• Magenta Pastoral 
• Floral No. 9 in Sharp 
• Ink in Light 
• Josephine in Poetic 
• Ink in Thunder 
• Vienna in Moonlight 
• Sinfonie in Melody 
• Ode Eidelweiss 
• Octet 
• Vienna in Rosebeam 

Pins 

Batting 

50wt white thread for piecing 

40wt pink thread for quilting 

Pearl cotton thread for big stitch hand quilting & binding

Snips (these are amazing if you have sore hands)

Thread conditioner – it’s a game changer if you haven’t tried it yet 😉

Needles 

Modern Aztec table runner pattern

You can read more about the Sonata Modern Aztec Table Runner here. 

HOLIDAY MODERN AZTEC TABLE RUNNER – LARGE SIZE

This Scandinavian inspired holiday Modern Aztec table runner is great example of using up your scrap fabrics. The Heather Rosas prints had been hanging out in my stash for years just waiting for the perfect project to use them in. The fact that they ended up being paired with these low volume prints from Art Gallery Fabrics just reminded me of how fun it can be to play!

You never know what unexpected fabric combinations are waiting for you to discover in your fabric stash!

Plus, quilted table runners are the perfect opportunity to use up those batting trimmings from your larger quilt projects. I know you have them too 😉

Materials featured in the Holiday Modern Aztec table runner include:

Here's the full list of materials featured in the Holiday Modern Aztec Quilted Table Runner:

Heather Rosas prints from her Folklore collection (sadly, no longer available)

London Red 

Coral 

Waves of Echo from Raise the Volume 

White Noise from Raise the Volume 

Boxes in Black from Camelot Fabrics Heirloom collection (no longer available), but this print would work perfectly too!

Essex Linen in Flax 

50wt Thread for piecing and quilting 

White batting 

Modern Aztec Table Runner Pattern

You can read more about the Holiday Modern Aztec Table Runner here. 

DOUBLE CHEVRON LUMBAR PILLOW

The quilted lumbar pillow was totally unplanned!

There are several leftover HSTs from the 10-colour quilt option that were hanging out on my sewing table and I just decided to play with them! So, if you make the 10-colour Modern Aztec quilt then you’re already halfway on the road to finishing your Double Chevron pillow!

Otherwise, the pattern includes the fabric requirements and cutting instructions to make the pattern from scratch.

I love a zippered pillow cover, but I know zippers can be intimidating! To help you conquer this technique, the pattern includes lots of tips and graphics to walk you through the process.

Materials featured in the Bequest Double Chevron lumbar pillow include:

Little Basket – Lace

Cup and Saucer – Sapphire

Cup and Saucer – Lace

Trellis - Midnight Breeze

Invisible zipper

White Thread 50wt – piecing

Blue Thread 50wt - quilting

Batting scraps

Unbleached cotton (for the lining) Muslim for lining (this is optional, but I highly recommend including it to prolong the longevity of your pillow and make it machine washable)

50wt Thread 

21" zipper 

Feather pillow insert – these are my fave 

Double Chevron pillow pattern

You can read more about the Double Chevron lumbar pillow here. 

MODERN AZTEC QUILTS IN THE WILD

My amazing pattern testers have outdone themselves with their takes on the Modern Aztec quilt. Just check out these beauties:

Photo courtesy of A Little Patchwork

Ange from A Little Patchwork made this fun mini 5-colour version and I just love her gender neutral fabric pull with a pop of yellow – it’s giving me all the summer vibes during this cold snap we’re experiencing in Montreal!

Photo courtesy of Penelope Handmade

Jennifer’s fabric pull for her crib Modern Aztec quilt is just so spot on and totally fits the Aztec theme! I love a good mix of prints, and she’s outdone herself with this combo. And did you notice that perfectly coordinated backing! See more of her fun makes over at Penelope Handmade. 

Photo courtesy of L.T.

L.T. made this stunning 5-colour throw version and her colours stopped me in my tracks! Seriously makes me want to bust out my florals and get stitching! 

Photo courtesy of Frieda Tong

Frieda is one of my longest pattern testers and she never ceases to amaze me with her fabric choices
and this blue and white 5-colour Modern Aztec quilt is no exception.

Photos courtesy of Kelly.

Kelly’s a Rockstar and made a 5-colour crib quilt, a 10-colour table runner and the Double Chevon pillow featuring upholstery fabrics. Did you see that gorgeous navy-blue velvet – swoon!

Photo courtesy of Kates Makes and Creates

Kate, from Kates Makes and Creates, stitched up this eye catching 5-colour table runner. Did you catch that stripe she included? Perfect detail to compliment the deep navy and floral prints.

Photo courtesy of Homemade Emily Jane

Emily’s table runner is giving me all the Valentine’s Day vibes – perfect handmade touch for celebrating at home with your loved ones 😊 Plus, who can resist Beau’s cute face! See more of Emily’s gorgeous work at Homemade Emily Jane. 

Photos courtesy of ALC Creates

And rounding out all these gorgeous makes is Angela’s spring inspired pillow. I love that light aqua paired with the orange – such a stunning combo. You can see more of Angela’s work over on her website ALC Creates. 

Be sure to check out the #modernaztecquilt, #modernaztectablerunner and #doublechevronpillow hashtags on Instagram for more inspiration.

HONEST FABRIC COMPANY

If piecing isn’t your jam and you prefer focusing on the quilting, then you’re in luck! I’ve shared several colourways over on Honest Fabric where you can print a whole cloth design and jump straight to quilting!

 

But if piecing IS your jam, then jump into the Modern Aztec quilt by grabbing your pattern here and letting me know which option you’re most excited to make 😊

Happy quilting!

xo

Shannon

PS I’m thrilled to be knocking the Mod-Rose Modern Aztec quilt off my Q1 FAL 2019 list! 

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