Midnight Hex Quilt Pattern & Coloring Pages
- Jen Wagner
- Sep 24
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 24
This quilt pattern was inspired by a Christmas star pendant light that still hangs above my kitchen sink. I bought it at IKEA when my kids were little—back in the late-2000s—and when the holidays ended, I went to take it down. But my kids immediately protested: “Nooo, don’t take down the star!” So it stayed. And here we are, fifteen years later, with that glowing star still lighting up our kitchen. It’s become a permanent fixture and a sweet reminder of that cozy, magical season.
Because the star itself is technically a Christmas decoration, my first thought was to design the quilt in Christmas colors. Then, as often happens, inspiration struck in the most unexpected place—Trader Joe’s. My husband came home with a box of sparkling tea, its packaging glimmering with metallic shimmer. The proportions of color—deep black with pops of red, green, and white—instantly felt like a quilt. I put the cans of tea in the fridge, took the box straight to my studio, and began sketching Midnight Hex.
Originally, I thought this would be one of my Benartex Ambassador projects in Christmas fabrics. But when I previewed the available lines, none quite matched the “Trader Joe’s tea” palette. Then I saw Spellbound by Marin Sutton and I knew: this quilt needed two colorways.
A super scrappy Halloween version using the entire Spellbound collection
A classic holiday version inspired by the shimmering tea box using Peace on Earth by Amanda Murphy and Circled Swirl Black by Peggy Collins for Benartex
The inspiration for the second star block came earlier this year, when I designed a tiny, miniature paper-pieced star for my Hexagon Earrings pattern. From the moment I stitched that little block, I knew I wanted to scale it up into something quilt-sized. Midnight Hex was the perfect way to make that idea a reality. And now that I have leftover Spellbound fabric, I could make a second pair to match!
Naming
The name Midnight Hex carries a touch of mystery and magic. The quilt is built from hexagons and the word “hex” also conjures images of spells, curses, and midnight rituals. Paired with the Spellbound fabric line, the name felt inevitable—like a whisper of witchcraft stitched into every seam. At the stroke of midnight, under a moonlit sky, the stars of this quilt seem to shimmer with a little enchantment of their own.
Construction
Midnight Hex has two foundation paper pieced (FPP) hexagon blocks. Don’t let the stars and angles scare you! Thanks to FPP, the process is straightforward and the precision it provides means every block lines up with crisp points and beautifully sharp six-point stars. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to make FPP less intimidating if it’s new to you. And if you’re ready to give it a try, I’ve got you covered with video tutorials that walk you through FPP step by step—perfect whether you’re learning it for the first time or just need a quick refresher.
At first glance, it may look like there are a lot of Y-seams (aka inset seams) but that’s only an illusion. The design comes together with half-hexagons and sashing pieced into rows—similar to a One Block Wonder—so the assembly is far more approachable than it looks.
Quilting
I rarely plan my quilting until the top is fully pieced and this quilt was no exception. As I added the border to my scrappy Spellbound version, I couldn’t help but notice the Necromancer print—adorable skulls blooming like flowers back and forth across the border. It immediately sparked an idea for the quilting design.
I enlarged the motif directly from the fabric, printed it onto cardstock, and cut it out. Using that as a template to keep the design consistent in size, I roughly traced the skull-and-leaf motif across the quilt. From there, I free-motion quilted the design, moving back and forth across the top in the same direction as the print in the borders. To make the quilting stand out, I intentionally used a light-colored thread against the solid black quilt back, creating striking contrast and letting the stitched motifs really shine. I'm so in love with both the front and the back of this quilt now!
Pattern Tester Quilts
One of my absolute favorite parts of releasing a new quilt pattern is working with my amazing team of pattern testers. They not only help me catch necessary details and make sure my instructions are clear, but they also inspire me with their creativity. Every time, they take my design and push it in directions I wouldn’t have imagined on my own — and I love them for it!
Bojana @bojana22 played with bold color pairings, mixing purples, blues, and teals with a vibrant yellow accent from the Benartex Fabrics Petal Paradise collection and some solids she had in her stash. The result is a quilt full of energy and movement, with the stars glowing against the colorful backdrop and this beauty got a golden doodle seal of approval! 🐾💛
The photos look small in the gallery, but you can click to enlarge them for a closer look!
Amanda @stitchymomma won a blue ribbon for her gorgeous Midnight Hex quilt! She used a cheerful rainbow effect, letting the blocks transition across the quilt. The striped border frames everything perfectly, with mitered corners and RAINBOW PIPING in the binding!? Even her test blocks turned out stunning! When she took her finished quilt to her guild meeting, they loved it!
She used a combination of fabrics for this one. The rainbow blocks are made from a fat quarter bundle of Glisten by Patrick Lose Studios that she WON on Instagram! The star blocks are scrappy whites from Moda, Grunge in Black Dress, and two Brother Sister Design prints. The background is a Benartex print called Alluring Butterflies by Ann Lauer.
Mary Kay @mkvquilts stitched up a stunning teal version and her attention to detail really takes it to the next level! The quilting adds incredible flow and texture, making the stars look like they’re shimmering. She used Cotton Shot by Benartex for the centers of her end blocks and the backing. I love the bold choice for her borders and binding! Eye catching!
Nancy @nlbgolfergirl made a striking table runner in navy and blue, accented with a bright yellow-green stripe and floral print. Nancy really used that stripe beautifully in her quilt. In the two blocks where it appears, she carefully placed each piece of the striped fabric so the lines match up perfectly, creating a uniform effect. The result is striking—and absolutely gorgeous.
Each of these versions highlights how different fabric choices can completely transform the look of the quilt. From bright and scrappy to modern rainbow, to monochromatic elegance, to stripe perfection, the design adapts beautifully to whatever direction you want to take it.
Ready to Make Your Own?
You can grab the Midnight Hex quilt pattern today in both PDF download (instant gratification) or printed booklet (mailed to your door). Everything you need to stitch up your own magical version is included— templates, step-by-step instructions, and tips to help even a first-time FPP quilter succeed.
Helpful Supplies
To make your Midnight Hex journey smooth, I recommend having these tools on hand:
Add-a-Quarter® Plus Ruler – for trimming foundation units with accuracy
Rotary Cutter & Fresh Blade – precision cutting makes a big difference
Quality Foundation Paper – or simple copy paper if that’s your style
Glue Stick – to hold the first fabric pieces in place
Seam Roller or Small Iron – quick pressing at your sewing station
Stiletto or Awl – for guiding those sharp points under the needle
60° Triangle Ruler & Rotating Mat – make a quick job of the final trim
Free Coloring Pages
Want to play with color before cutting into fabric? Download the free Midnight Hex coloring pages and experiment with your own palette. They’re a fun way to audition fabrics, sketch quilting motifs, or even keep kids entertained while you sew.
Designing Midnight Hex has been such a joy—from the holiday star light over my kitchen sink to the spooky sparkle of the Spellbound fabrics. I love how this quilt bridges two worlds: festive and haunting, modern and timeless. With its bold shapes, sharp points, and endless colorway possibilities, this pattern is one that will keep you coming back to explore new variations again and again.
I'd love to see what you make! Tag me @SnapdragonQuilting and share using #MidnightHexQuilt and in the Snapdragon Stitchers Facebook group!
May you find peace and comfort in the hum of your machine, the texture of your fabric, the roll of your rotary cutter, and the warmth of your iron.
Happy Quilting!
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