Lunar Luxe – A Quilt Born of Glamour, Geometry, and Moonlight

Jen Wagner
18 hours ago
4 min read

It started with colored pencils. My daughter (now 21 years old) was visiting and we sat down at the table to color together — no agenda, no pressure. Just paper and possibility. Somewhere between conversation and creativity, a sketch began to emerge. And Lunar Luxe quietly came to life.

Just days earlier, my local guild had hosted our annual retreat — fully embracing a Roaring 20’s theme. Fringe, feathers, sparkle… we committed. This photo of the vendors says it all — we were absolutely hamming it up 🤣

Then, shortly after, my husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary at the The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The architecture. The symmetry. The gilded detailing. I couldn’t take my eyes off the walls.

Art Deco had officially taken hold of my imagination.

When I sketch, I intentionally let go of construction. I don’t think about seam allowances or technique. I let the design become what it wants to be. Structure can come later. First — the soul.

And this design? It wanted drama. Geometry. Glamour.

A Perfect Moment to Bring It to Life

At the same time, Benartex was preparing to celebrate the release of 44 new colors in their Superior Solids line. They're featuring the entire expanded collection in their booth at QuiltCon — and asked if I would design a quilt for the display. It was the perfect alignment.

I paired the rich Superior Solids with Precious Metals – Gold Rush by Benartex — a metallic that shimmers with just the right amount of glow. The gold detailing needed to feel regal. Intentional. Luxurious.

And metallic was non-negotiable.

The Art Deco Influence

Art Deco blossomed in the early 1920s, shortly after the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The world became captivated by ancient Egyptian symbolism — a wave often called Egyptomania. Geometry, radiating motifs, metallic embellishments — they appeared everywhere, from skyscrapers to jewelry.

The moon, in particular, carried deep symbolic meaning in Egyptian mythology. The moon god Khonsu represented light in darkness and the rhythm of time.

If you’ve followed my work, you know the moon already speaks deeply to me (Many Moons, Broken Moons, and Mini Moons 💛). The connection between celestial cycles and feminine cycles is something I return to again and again in my design process.

Lunar Luxe was born right out of that intersection: Ancient symbolism. Deco elegance. Boldly modern.

Seven circles run down the center — an intentional nod to lunar phases and rhythmic repetition. The fine gold lines framing the quilt echo gilded architectural trim of the era.

“All Those Curves and Skinny Gold Lines… What Was I Thinking?”

I’ll admit it — once the sketch was done and reality set in, I had a moment. Curves. Skinny gold detailing. Precision everywhere.

But here’s the thing: I never design something without making sure it’s achievable. Foundation paper piecing and reverse appliqué are the secret weapons in Lunar Luxe. They create accuracy without stress. This is not a beginner pattern — but if you’re an intermediate quilter? You absolutely have this.

And honestly? The techniques make it fun.

The Quilting — And a First for Both of Us

Now let’s talk about that quilting.

My dear friend and award-winning longarmer Vicki Ruebel of Orchid Owl Quilts took this quilt to a level I could never have imagined.

This was a first for both of us. She has only ever collaborated on show quilts with her mom. I have never had anyone else quilt one of my show quilts.

We both stepped into something new.

Vicki mapped the entire quilting plan on the coloring page (you can download it free at the end of this post!) and executed it completely with ruler work — no free motion.

She pushed herself. I trusted fully.

And what she created in that negative space is breathtaking. She told me this quilt stretched her creatively in ways she hadn’t experienced before. There’s something beautiful about that.

We can do new and challenging things.

Pattern Tester Versions (Because You Know I Love This Part)

Seeing what my testers create is one of my favorite parts of any launch. Each version reveals a different personality within the design.

Amanda (@stitchymomma) — works in a Texas fabric store, so her pulls are always a surprise. This time? A winter print — turning the center motifs into glowing snow globes. Genius.

Aurora (@auroraa1714 ) — bold and saturated. Her colors absolutely sing and like Amanda, she used black for the detailing, making the design pop.

Cath (@cathlmaker) — such a strong, graphic interpretation with the cool colors against the gold detailing.

Laura (@stitch_n_stuff_by_lala) used Jumpstart by Northcott Fabric — the palette brings such softness to the geometry. The citrus color really catches my eye and I can't wait to see this one as it continues coming together.

MaryKay (@mkvquilts ) used Fungi Fantasy by Benartex as her hero print. And the black background? With Art Deco roots often grounded in black, I was thrilled to see how dramatically it pops.

Suzi (@redwinequilter) took the most beautiful soft, romantic approach — proof that Lunar Luxe can whisper just as elegantly as it can shout.

Ready to Create Your Own Lunar Luxe?

Lunar Luxe is officially here — and I cannot wait to see your version come to life. Whether you lean bold and dramatic or soft and luminous, this design transforms beautifully in every palette.

You can choose the format that works best for you:

✨ Physical Pattern – A professionally printed, full-color pattern with detailed diagrams and clear step-by-step instructions.

✨ Digital Download – Instant access so you can start planning (or sewing!) right away.

✨ Lunar Luxe Heavy-Duty Freezer Paper Templates – Pre-cut and ready to use for accurate, smooth reverse appliqué curves. (Because having the right tool makes all the difference.)

And as promised…

🎨 The coloring sheet to test color combinations, plan your quilting (just like Vicki did!), or simply enjoy playing with the design. It’s such a helpful way to see your vision before you cut into fabric.

If you make a Lunar Luxe quilt, be sure to tag me @Snapdragon Quilting and use #LunarLuxeQuilt — seeing your interpretations is truly my favorite part of releasing a new pattern.

Here’s to bold design, gilded details, and sewing something that feels a little luxurious. ✨