Modern Mountain Quilt {Tutorial}

I had an absolute blast designing and finishing the Out of the Woods quilt. It is such a fun, graphic design! I received a request for information on how I put the quilt top together, and so I thought I would make a tutorial to share. This tutorial has instructions for both a lap and baby size quilt top. All directions are first given for the lap size quilt with the baby size noted beside it in (parenthesis). For example, an instruction might call to trim a half-square triangle to 7.5-inches (4.5-inches). If you are making the lap size quilt, trim to 7.5-inches. If you are making the baby size quilt, trim to 4.5-inches. Please feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you have any questions about these directions, and I hope you enjoy making the Modern Mountain Quilt!

***UPDATED*** I realize that is a pretty long tutorial for a web page! If you are really interested in making the quilt, you may download the 14-page PDF of the Modern Mountain Quilt Tutorial for the low price of $2 from my Quilting Jetgirl Payhip store, my Quilting Jetgirl Etsy store, or my Quilting Jetgirl Craftsy store.

As an interesting data point, this tutorial took me about 10 hours to put together! If you like these instructions, this is how I present all of my quilt patterns, and you can see patterns that I have for sale in my Payhip, Etsy, or Craftsy stores.

Fabric Requirements

The Lap Size quilt finishes at 71.5-inches wide by 80.5-inches long and the Baby Size quilt finishes at 40.5-inches wide by 46.5-inches long.

I assume that the usable fabric width is 41-inches for these instructions.

• Yellow Fabric = 1 yard (1/4 yard)
• Blue Fabric = 3 yards (1-1/2 yard)
• Dark Green Fabric = 1-1/2 yards (1 yard)
• Light Green Fabric = 1 yard (1/2 yard)
• Border Fabric = 1 yard (1/2 yard)
• Binding Fabric = 3/4 yard (1/2 yard)
• Backing Fabric = 4-1/2 yards (1-1/2 yards)

Cutting Instructions

WOF = Width of Fabric

Yellow Fabric

• Cut (1) 14.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 8.5-inch by WOF strip]
  • Subcut (1) 14.5-inch by 14.5-inch square [(1) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch square]
• Cut (1) 8.5-inch by WOF strip (from the remaining 8.5-inch strip, subcut (1) 5.5-inch wide strip)
  • Subcut (4) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch squares [(4) 5.5-inch by 5.5-inch squares]

Blue Fabric

1. Cut (3) 8.5-inch by WOF strips [(2) 5.5-inch by WOF strips]
   • Subcut into (9) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch squares [(9) 5.5-inch by 5.5-inch squares]
2. Cut (1) 30.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 18.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (1) 30.5-inch by 33.5-inch rectangle [(1) 18.5-inch by 18.5-inch square]
   • Subcut (3) 7.5-inch wide strips from the remaining fabric [Subcut (2) 4.5-inch wide strips from the remaining fabric]
     • Subcut (3) 7.5-inch wide by 7.5-inch wide squares [Subcut (2) 4.5-inch wide by 8.5-inch long rectangles and (4) 4.5-inch wide by 4.5-inch wide squares]
3. Cut (1) 21.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 12.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (1) 21.5-inch by 21.5-inch square [(1) 12.5-inch by 12.5-inch square]
   • Subcut (2) 7.5-inch wide strips from the remaining fabric [(2) 4.5-inch wide strips from the remaining fabric]
     • Subcut (4) 7.5-inch wide by 7.5-inch long squares [(3) 4.5-inch wide by 4.5-inch long squares]
4. Cut (2) 2.5-inch by WOF strips [(1) 2.5-inch by WOF strip]
5. Cut (1) 7.5-inch by WOF strip <= Lap Size Quilt Only
   • Subcut (2) 7.5-inch wide by 14.5-inch long rectangles. <= Lap Size Quilt Only

Dark Green Fabric

1. Cut (2) 8.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 5.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (5) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch squares [(5) 5.5-inch by 5.5-inch squares]
2. Cut (1) 21.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 12.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (1) 21.5-inch by 28.5 inch rectangle [(1) 12.5-inch by 16.5-inch rectangle]
3. Cut (2) 7.5-inch by WOF strips [(1) 4.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (2) 7.5-inch by 21.5-inch rectangles [(2) 4.5-inch by 12.5-inch rectangles]
   • Subcut (1) 7.5-inch by 14.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 8.5-inch rectangle]
   • Subcut (1) 7.5-inch by 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch by 4.5-inch square]

Light Green Fabric

1. Cut (1) 8.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 5.5-inch by WOF strop]
   • Subcut (3) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch squares [(3) 5.5-inch by 5.5-inch squares]
2. Cut (1) 14.5-inch by WOF strip [(1) 8.5-inch by WOF strip]
   • Subcut (1) 14.4-inch by 14.5-inch square [(1) 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch square]
   • Subcut (1) 7.5-inch wide strip from the remaining fabric [(1) 4.5-inch wide strip from the remaining fabric]
     • Subcut (2) 7.5-inch by 7.5-inch squares [(2) 4.5-inch by 4.5-inch squares]

Border Fabric

• Cut (6) 4.5-inch by WOF strips [(4) 2.5-inch by WOF strips]

Binding Fabric

• Cut (8) 2.5-inch by WOF strips [(5) 2.5-inch by WOF strips]

Half-Square Triangles

There are several different methods to make HSTs, and I prefer to create oversize units and trim them back to their exact unfinished size. I have found this allows me much higher piecing accuracy during block construction. The method I am going to describe creates 2 HSTs of one color combination at once and is the basis for the cutting instructions in this pattern.

HST Step 1

Place (2) 8.5-inch squares [(2) 5.5-inch squares] right sides together with the lightest fabric on top. On the wrong side of the lightest fabric, mark one diagonal line from corner to corner.

HST Step 2

Sew a quarter inch seam allowance on either side of the marked diagonal line.

Tip: Check to see if moving your needle all the way to the right and sewing with the marked line centered creates a scant quarter inch seam allowance.

HST Step 3

Cut into (2) triangles along the marked diagonal line.

Tip: Iron the blocks to set your seams prior to Step 3.

HST Step 4

Press the HST seams open. Trim to 7.5-inches square (4.5-inches square).

Tip: Use a square grid ruler with 1/2″ grid increments to make trimming HSTs to size quick and easy.

Piecing Instructions

Following the HST instructions above:

1. Use (4) yellow and (4) blue 8.5-inch squares [(4) each 5.5-inch squares] to make (8) yellow and blue HSTs
2. Use (3) blue and (3) dark green 8.5-inch squares [(3) each 5.5-inch squares] to make (6) blue and dark green HSTs
3. Use (1) blue and (1) light green 8.5-inch square [(1) each 5.5-inch square] to make (2) blue and light green HSTs
4. Use (1) dark green and (1) light green 8.5-inch square [(1) each 5.5-inch square] to make (2) dark green and light green HSTs.

Quarter-Square Triangle (QST)

Using (1) blue 8.5-inch square [(1) 5.5-inch square], (1) dark green 8.5-inch square [(1) 5.5-inch square], and (1) light green 8.5-inch square [5.5-inch square], make (1) 7.5-inch square (4.5-inch square) Quarter-Square Triangle (QST).

QST Step 1

Place the blue and dark green 8.5-inch squares (5.5-inch squares) right sides together and mark one diagonal line from corner to corner of the wrong side of the blue fabric. (Refer to HST Step 1 figure.)

QST Step 2

Sew a quarter inch seam allowance on either side of the marked diagonal line. (Refer to HST Step 2 figure.)

QST Step 3

Cut into (2) triangles along the marked diagonal line. (Refer to HST Step 3 figure.)

QST Step 4

Press (1) HST seam open. DO NOT trim. (Refer to HST Step 4 figure.)

QST Step 5

On the wrong side of the light green 8.5-inch square (5.5-inch square), mark one diagonal line from corner to corner. Right sides together, stack the light green square on top of the blue and dark green HST with the diagonal lines rotated 90-degrees from each other.

QST Step 6

Sew a quarter inch seam allowance on either side of the marked diagonal line. (Refer to HST Step 2 figure.)

QST Step 7

Cut into (2) triangles along the marked diagonal line. (Refer to HST Step 3 figure.)

QST Step 8

Press the QST seams open. Trim to 7.5-inches square (4.5-inches square). The QST block you need for the quilt top should look like the image below.

Quilt Top Assembly

Step 1

• Pieces needed:
  1. (8) Yellow and Blue 7.5-inch square HSTs [(8) 4.5-inch square HSTs]
  2. (4) Blue 7.5-inch squares [(4) 4.5-inch squares]
  3. (1) Yellow 14.5-inch square [(1) 8.5-inch square]

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces to create the sun.
2. Sew the HSTs together. Add (1) Blue square to the sides of the top and bottom HSTs. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 1.
3. Sew the side HSTs to the large yellow square. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 2.
4. Sew the top and bottom rows. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 3.
5. The completed sun block should measure 28.5-inches square (16.5-inches square). Refer to Assembly 4.

Step 2

• Pieces needed:
  1. Sun block from Step 1
  2. (2) 2.5-inch wide by WOF strips [(1) 2.5-inch wide by WOF strip]
  3. (1) 30.5-inch by 33.5-inch rectangle [(1) 18.5-inch square]

1. Use the figure(s) below for reference.
2. Sew a 2.5-inch wide strip to the left hand side of the sun. Press seam open and trim to height of sun block. Refer to Assembly 5.
3. Sew a 2.5-inch wide strip to the top of the sun. Press seam open and trim to the width of the sun block. Refer to Assembly 6.
4. Sew the 30.5-inch by 33.5-inch rectangle (18.5-inch square) to the right side of the sun. Press seam open. Refer to Assembly 7.
5. The completed sky rectangle should measure 30.5-inches tall by 63.5-inches wide (18.5-inches tall by 36.5-inches wide). Refer to Assembly 8.

Step 3

• Pieces needed:
  1. (1) Blue 21.5-inch square [(1) 12.5-inch square]
  2. (2) Blue and Light Green 7.5-inch square HSTs [(2) 4.5-inch square HSTs]
  3. (1) 7.5-inch (4.5-inch) Quarter Square Triangle (QST)
  4. (1) Blue 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch square]
  5. (1) Light Green 14.5-inch square [(1) 8.5-inch square]

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces.
2. Sew the row consisting of the small blue square, blue and light green HST, and QST together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 9.
3. Sew the column consisting of the blue and light green HST and small green square together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 9.
4. Sew the column to the right side of the large green square. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 10.
5. Sew the rows together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 11.
6. The completed left hand mountain block should measure 42.5-inches tall by 21.5-inches wide (24.5-inches tall by 12.5 inches wide). Refer to Assembly 12.

Step 4

• Pieces needed:
  1. (1) Blue 7.5-inch by 14.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 8.5-inch rectangle]
  2. (1) Blue 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch square]
  3. (2) Blue and Dark Green 7.5-inch square HSTs [(2) 4.5-inch square HSTs]
  4. (2) Dark Green and Light Green 7.5-inch square HSTs [(2) 4.5-inch square HSTs]
  5. (1) Dark Green 7.5-inch by 21.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 12.5-inch rectangle]
  6. (1) Dark Green 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch square]
  7. (1) Light Green 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch square]

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces.
2. Sew the column pieces together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 13.
3. Sew the columns together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 14.
4. The completed middle mountain block should measure 42.5-inches tall by 14.5-inches wide (24.5-inches tall by 8.5 inches wide). Refer to Assembly 15.

Step 5

• Pieces needed:
  1. (1) Blue 7.5-inch by 14.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 8.5-inch rectangle]
  2. (1) Blue 7.5-inch square [(1) 4.5-inch square]
  3. (4) Blue and Dark Green 7.5-inch square HSTs [(2) 4.5-inch square HSTs]
  4. (1) Dark Green 21.5-inch by 28.5-inch rectangle [(1) 12.5-inch by 16.5-inch rectangle]
  5. (1) Dark Green 7.5-inch by 21.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 12.5-inch rectangle]
  6. (1) Dark Green 7.5-inch by 14.5-inch rectangle [(1) 4.5-inch by 8.5-inch rectangle]

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces.
2. Sew the row pieces together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 16.
3. Sew the rows together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 17.
4. The completed right hand mountain block should measure 42.5-inches tall by 28.5-inches wide (24.5-inches tall by 16.5 inches wide). Refer to Assembly 18.

Step 6

• Pieces needed:
  1. The sky rectangle from Step 2.
  2. The left hand mountain block from Step 3.
  3. The middle mountain block from Step 4.
  4. The right hand mountain block from Step 5.

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces.
2. Sew the mountain blocks together. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 19.
3. Sew the sky to the mountains. Refer to Assembly 20.
4. The completed top (without borders) should measure 63.5-inches wide by 72.5-inches tall (36.5-inches wide by 42.5 inches wide). Refer to Assembly 21.

Step 7

• Pieces needed:
  1. The block from Step 6
  2. (6) 4.5-inch wide by WOF [(4) 2.5-inch wide by WOF] border strips

1. Use the figure(s) below to arrange the pieces.
2. Piece together border strips as necessary, and sew the left and right side borders onto the quilt. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 22.
3. Piece together border strips as necessary, and sew the top and bottom borders onto the quilt. Press seams open. Refer to Assembly 23.
4. The completed quilt top should measure 71.5-inches wide by 80.5-inches tall (40.5-inches wide by 46.5 inches wide). Refer to the Modern Mountin Quilt image.

Quilt Construction

Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing. Baste and quilt as desired. I created a fun forest on the large mountain on my Out of the Woods quilt, and you can use the FMQ tree tutorial to replicate the look if you would like! Form the binding by chain sewing together the pre-cut binding strips. Bind and enjoy your quilt!

Congratulations! You have completed a Modern Mountain quilt! I would love to see what you create. If you are on Instagram, tag me (@QuiltingJetgirl) and any images of your quilt using #ModernMountainQuilt. Or send an email to [jetgirl8(at)gmail(dot)com] with a photograph or link to a blog post about your quilt!

 

I realize that is a pretty long tutorial for a web page! If you are really interested in making the quilt, you may download a PDF of the Modern Mountain Quilt Tutorial for free from my Quilting Jetgirl Payhip store (tips greatly appreciated!).

Linking up to Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays @ Late Night Quilter.