Modern Fans Quilt Pattern – Video Tutorial included!
The Modern Fans quilt pattern is now available! Click here to get the instant PDF download!
Before launching into various pattern colorways and the curves video tutorial, I wanted to remind you that there will be a Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along starting September 12, 2018. You can read more about those details here.
Modern Fans vs. Propeller
Another question that has come up a few times is, "What's the difference between Modern Fans and Propeller?"
If you remember the Propeller pattern, you will have seen some close similarities to the Modern Fans design. The two key differences between the patterns are:
- Modern Fans includes 5 templates to allow you to make 4 completely unique quilt blocks. Propeller, on the other hand, included just 3 templates to make 2 blocks.
- Modern Fans includes king, queen/full, twin, throw and baby quilt sizes plus instructions on making an 18" square pillow. Propeller included throw and baby quilt sizes.
A couple months ago I retired the Propeller quilt pattern in preparation for the Modern Fans release. One thing to note, Propeller peeps, is that you can still make the Propeller quilt from the Modern Fans pattern – you just couldn't make the Modern Fans quilt from the Propeller pattern. (Below is an example of Propeller if you have no idea what I'm talking about.)
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Scared of Sewing Curves? Check out this Video Tutorial!
This video was originally filmed for the Propeller pattern (hence my boring explanation about the two patterns above). The same principles apply, however in the Modern Fans pattern I also demonstrate using pins when sewing curves.
Pins can be helpful if you are struggling to sew accurately or if you find that your sewing machine is stretching out one fabric more than another. I suggest trying out both methods and seeing which one you prefer.
In this video I also suggest using a walking foot. Some machines are better than others at feeding top and bottom fabric through at even rates. Your machine may not need the addition of a walking foot for equal tension, so test out what works for you.
Supplies:
- Modern Fans quilt pattern
- Fabric as required in the pattern (see Fabric Requirements chart below)
- Basic Quilting Supplies
- Temporary marker
Extended Supply List:
- Plastic template sheets
- 7 ½" square ruler (this is really going to help you square up your blocks)
- Starch
- Small rotary cutter (makes cutting curves easier)
- Magnetic pin bracelet (cause it's awesome)
Make A Quilted Modern Fans Pillow with Zipper
The Modern Fans quilt pattern includes fabric requirements for an 18" x 18" pillow. The size of your pillow can be adjusted, all you have to do is adjust the size of your border strips. Here's a link to a step-by-step tutorial!
Check out the end of this post to see more beautiful pillows made by my talented pattern testers.
Black & White Color Pop Throw
The original Modern Fans quilt, first debuted in QuiltCon magazine and also in the 2016 QuiltCon show. This quilt is quilted with a waving allover pattern to mimic wind (I was really trying to drive home the fans imagery.)
A kit based on the original colors is available through Cottoneer.
Fabric
- Color 1: Kona Black
- Color 2: Kona Snow
- Color 3: Kona Ice Peach
- Color 4: Cotton + Steel XOXO in Ghost
- Color 5: Timeless Treasures B&W Stripe
- Binding: Kona Ice Peach
- Backing: 8 Days a Week (this one is going to be hard to find because it's about 3 years old.)
Zen Blue Throw
The goal of this quilt was to create a subtle design while trying to make something as different from the original quilt as possible. Rather than Color 1 being the dominant color, this palette highlights Color 2.
Fabric
- Color 1: RJR Silver Lining
- Color 2: Add It Up in Bone, Netorious in Kercheif, Cotton Supreme Solid in French Vanilla
- Color 3: Cotton Supreme Solid in Meissen Blue and Sprinkles in Seltzer Gray
- Color 4: Wreath in Natural
- Color 5: Gingham in Linen
- Binding: Ring Bearer Stripes
- Backing: Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun in Chambray
Sunset Baby
You may have seen my announcement last week that my husband John and I are expecting our first baby. Well, now's as good a time as any to let you know that's it's a boy! I wanted to make my little guy a very special quilt, and since he's going to be born in February, I thought I better make it warm too.
This quilt focuses on subtle texture and earth tones which are accentuated by hand quilting. The wool batting beautifully showcases the quilting as well as having a dual purpose of making this quilt extra insulating. It will be great for chilly walks with the stroller!
If you are interested in quilting your Modern Fans quilt in a similar way as this baby quilt, here are the templates I created for myself. For the largest circle I used Template B from the pattern, I just lined up the edges of the template with the two circles I was connecting.
Fabric
- Color 1: Loominous Headlines in Orange (for the diamonds) Kona Brown (for the strips)
- Color 2: Brussels Washer linen blend in Natural and (I think) Latte Shot Cotton by Kaffe Fassett
- Color 3: Broad Stripe in Sunset
- Color 4: Solid Orange Poplin
- Color 5: No color 5 was used in this version. See Tiny Kites color mockup on page 20 of the Modern Fans pattern.
- Backing: Loominous Headlines in Orange
- Binding: Broad Stripe in Sunset
- Batting: Quilters Dream Wool Batting
Various Colorways to Get the Creative Juices Flowing
The Modern Fans quilt pattern includes a few different colorways and layout variations. Below are a few more mockups to help kickstart your creativity. The pattern includes blank coloring sheets so you can fill in your own colors to see what you like best.
For more details on the following three colorways, check out the Garden Blooms mockup on page 18 of the pattern.
These next colors ways are based on the Calm Lagoon design found on page 16 of the pattern.
Modern Fans Quilts in the Wild
Forage by Evie of EV Quilts & Co
Doing curves really threw me through a loop of “what is this” “is it good?” “I can’t even tell!!!!!” Hah!!! Good to stretch myself.
Piet Mondrian Fans by Jessica Schunke
I went into testing Modern Fans with the intention of just making a small wall hanging, but when my husband saw the finished top, he immediately claimed it for his office -- except bigger. Ha! So, I'm planning to bring it up to baby quilt size during the sew along and finish it off with lots of fun hand quilting. Love this pattern!
Farm Fresh Pillow by Elizabeth Ray
Confetti Scraps by Brittany of Lo & Behold Stitchery
Chai Latte Linen Pillow by Rachel Thomeczek
Terracotta Pillow by Christine Myers
Aqua Sparkle Pillow by Fran of Cotton + Joy
Pink Power by Caitlyn Williams
Now, I'm not saying this is the norm, but she made this yesterday. Like THE WHOLE thing in one day. Caitlyn's my hero.
Ordered my Modern Fans pattern + Campfire quilt, yeah ! Can’t wait to start.
Ooh, I had something else in the queue in my head for my next project. But now I have seen this…. never done a sew-along before and this has got me excited to finish off my current projects at the weekend and think about new fabric!!!
Oh good! I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, not to mention some great prizes!
Woooo baby boy! Congrats Suzy, pattern ordered and I can’t wait to do this sew along with you!
Yay!! And thank you 🙂
❤ Day Dreaming, Soda Shop, and Confetti Scraps. I might need to rearrange some things and do this sew along because I don’t really want to wait to get started on this pattern!
I’ll let you shop my stash 😉
Just ordered my pattern! So excited to get started! Will the fabric amounts be the same even if you use one of the variations of the pattern? I LOVE the Garden Blooms variation!
Great question! The fabric requirements will be a little bit different since there are no strips to be cut in that variation and the block requirements will change. Based on the fabric you choose, you may need to do a little math. I suggest using the coloring sheets and figuring out exactly how many blocks you need with each color of fabric (like I did with the mockups). You can then break down the blocks into templates and figure out how many of each template you need. Page 3 of the pattern shows how many of each template you can get from cut strips.
If the math starts tripping you up, post to the Suzy Quilts Patterns FB group and we can knock it out together.
Perfect! Thanks so much!
Might just be me, but no video tutorial shows – just a black box.
Try this direct link. It should work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR_ywxilZe0
I love this blog thing that you do Suzy Q! It’s always fun and I look forward to Thursdays. You are doing an excellent job!
Love all the color variations and the difference this makes. The baby quilt made for your boy is gorgeous.
Congratulations once again.
Thank you so much! We’re pretty excited 🙂
Another great pattern..can’t wait to start!…congratulations to you and John on your new addition
Thank you so so much!
Yay! I am excited for the quilt along and all ready am searching through my stash! Never have sewn curves so I will be stretching myself for sure! And baby quilts are my favorite! Congrats on your baby boy!
Wonderful pattern and so many talented pattern testers. I’m wondering about the templates? How do you make these? Template plastic?
Great question! Yes, I do recommend using plastic sheets designs for templates. I have added a supply list above with a link to the sheets I use.
Hi Suzy, I have been trying to buy this pattern all morning but there’s a problem with PayPal in Greece and I can’t find another way to checkout. 😢 Can you help? Joanna Richards. X
So sorry you’re having trouble. Shoot me an email at suzy@suzyquits.com and I’ll help you out.
Suzy, will the pattern in QuiltCon magazine work for the sewalong? Do the templates in the new pattern still have to be printed at 200%? I messaged you on IG too, so no need to answer twice. 🙂 BTW, my hubby loves your video posts as much as I do! He once rescued a possum and got bitten. He had to go to the ER for rabies shots and the docs giggled at that– first time ever!
Yes, although there have been some improvements and lots of additions to the pattern since its initial release in QuiltCon magazine, that version of the pattern will work just fine. The templates in the new PDF pattern are 100% to-scale, so there is no enlarging needed. And I can’t believe your husband got bitten! Oh my gosh that’s terrifying! If my little opossum was any bigger than I tiny baby I would have been too scared to mess with him.
i bought the pattern but haven’t gotten the download, does it take a while?
You should get an email with the link sent to you right away. If it’s not hiding in a spam folder, shoot me an email and I’ll send it to you directly.
Awwww, a baby boy ❤️❤️❤️ That’s so awesome!!! Get a raincoat for diaper changes 😂
hahaha!
HOLY COW!! The quilt in the video is absolutely STUNNING!!! I could re-create it exactly as it is. I wish I had your eye for picking fabrics. It is a challenging part of the process for me.
Suzy, congrats on your pregnancy. I bought your pattern yesterday and have been studying it ever since. I’m
Struggling to find the right fabrics for the quilt along. I want to use the Forage collection in the blues and grays. But that’s as far as i get. Do i need a color pop? Yikes this is harder than it should be.
Picking fabrics can be confusing, and sometimes even stressful. Are you a member of the Suzy Quilts Patterns Facebook group? It’s been really helpful in assisting with fabric choices and combinations. A lot of people just upload a few different options or even just a couple fabrics and ask the group, what do you think? Should I change/add anything? Group members are so sweet and encouraging and will help you decide.