It’s time for another reveal in the Mouse Trap Block of the Month Quilt Along. This month, you’ll be getting curvy with the Split Moon quilt block!
You’re on a quilty roll with your block-making, and I was so impressed with how your points were on point in your Arrow blocks! I hope you’ve taken a minute to appreciate how your piecing capabilities have improved since you first started the QAL. Just look at all you’ve already learned in the Mouse Trap BOM:
- How to piece quarter circles in the Rainbow block.
- How to trim up those adorable half-rectangle triangles in the Triangle Points block
- How to work with templates and piecing angles in the Sticks block.
- Traditional piecing in the Mosaic block.
- Learning how to line up triangle pieces with the Apex block.
- How to piece half-circles with the Half Moons Blocks.
- How to keep things nice and straight with the Flag block
- Keeping long angles nice and sharp in the Arrow block.
This month has you revisiting some techniques and leveraging the piecing accuracy you’ve been working on. Read on to find out exactly how you’ll be challenged this month😉.
Today I’m covering:
- The story behind the Split Moon quilt block
- Composition play to be had
- Quilting technique featured
- Materials required
- Top Tips
- Caution
- Monthly giveaway details
Let’s dive in!
The Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.
Story Behind the Split Moon Quilt Block
I shared my appreciation for all things space with you back in the Half Moons quilt block, and that still stands for the Split Moon block, too!
Repeating elements gave me a chance to show you that there are possibilities even with similar shapes. This time, though, I added in some skinny elements to challenge your piecing and add some eye-catching details to your composition.
Composition Play
When planning your quilt composition, one of the elements you can play with is the shapes you feature. One aspect to consider is how you combine those shapes to add interest and detail.
There’re a few elements that are combined in the Split Moon block
There’s the obvious one, which is the curves. You might recognize the shape, as they’re the same as the Half Moon blocks!
Instead of placing them with their flat edges facing up, I opted to have them face inwards towards one another. So, similar elements, just a different layout.
But to up the intrigue even more, I opted to sneak in a tiny little strip that separates the Split Moons.
This allows you to add both curvy and linear shapes to your composition, while also introducing some scale play with that tiny strip.
It’s a fun one to play with, and I’m excited to see how you use the block in your own Mouse Trap quilt composition!
Quilting Technique Featured
Well, you’re back to half-circles and straight-line piecing!
While your initial reaction may be “Um, Shannon, we’ve already tackled half circles and straight-line piecing in the Half Moon and Flag blocks, respectively, how’s this one any different?”
I’m excited to point out just how this block is going to challenge you 😊
Quilty Challenge 1
First up are the half-circles. In the Half Moons block, you had the wiggle room to not make exactly the same size curves. Since you were stacking them with their flat sides facing up, you didn’t have to worry about them being exact matches. There was enough space to trick the eye into thinking they were the same size. With the Split Moon block, you want to piece them so that their width is the exact same size.
Why?
Because you want the sides of the half-circles to align with one another and their lines to match up. This will ensure the visual of the ‘split moon’ happens. If they don’t match up, you’ll have a wonky off-kilter split moon 😉
Quilty Challenge 2
The second challenge will be the center split detail.
That’s some itty-bitty piecing that will require you to keep a steady and accurate ¼” seam allowance. There’re several of them too! Remember all the tips I shared for the Flag block; those will come in handy here!
Materials & Notions
Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to stitch up the Split Moon quilt block:
- Split Moon quilt block pattern – part of the Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern
- Mouse Trap Acrylic Ruler Set
- Fabrics in colours:
- Piecing thread
- Sewing machine
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – Use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your entire purchase at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
- Tailor’s clapper
- Spray bottle
To make the original pattern cover version, you can find the exact kit featuring the same AGF Pure Solids in this quilt kit from Sew Curated.
Get the AGF Pure Solids dupes from Sew Curated for the colours I’ll be stitching my Mouse Trap quilt in 2025.
Top Tips
Use this block as a chance to get into a curve-picking groove. Think back to what worked when you pieced your Rainbow and Half Moons blocks. Can you replicate that again here?
The more you piece curves, the more you get a feel for them, so don’t just go through the motion, but think about how the fabric behaves. Does pinning less work better for you? Maybe having the pie on top and the crust on the bottom gives you better results. Maybe going pin-free feels best to you.
Try stitching them in different ways to see what feels best to you.
The better you get, the more encouraged you’ll be to keep piecing them!
Caution
Be careful of how you press your Split Moon block.
I know, I know, I talk about pressing all the time! But it really can make or break your piecing results.
So, be mindful of not only keeping a very accurate ¼” seam allowance, but also be careful not to stretch your curves and strips when pressing.
If you’re struggling, try using a wool pressing mat paired with a fine mist spray bottle and no steam in your iron. Pop on a tailor’s clapper if your block isn’t lying as flat as you’d like.
This combo has produced some pretty killer results for me, and I hope it does for you, too!
When in doubt, you can always add some starch. Just make sure to starch and dry your fabric before getting started.
September 2025 Mouse Trap BOM Giveaway
Throughout this skill builder quilt along, I’ve been challenging your piecing accuracy. The good news is, there are some fun notions out there to help in our quilty success. This is why I reached out to Allisson from Cluck Cluck Sew, as she designed the Diagonal Seam Tape. This fun notion means you no longer have to pre-mark half-square triangles or snowballed blocks, as the tape gives you a guide to nail that perfect 1/4″ seam. I used to use washi tape for this exact purpose; it’s pretty genius. This month’s giveaway gives you the chance to win a roll of your own!
To enter the giveaway, you must:
- Be following @cluckclucksew and @shannonfraserdesigns on Instagram.
- Post a photo on Instagram of your Split Moon block between September 15, 2025, and October 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
- Instagram account must be public.
- Tag @cluckclucksew and @shannonfraserdesigns
- Include the hashtags #MouseTrapBOM #MouseTrapQuilt
This month’s giveaway is open internationally
The winner is to be announced in the October 15, 2025, Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter! Sign up here!
I’m excited to hear how this round of curve piecing goes for you, and can’t wait to see it pop up on the ‘gram or in our Facebook group. The countdown is officially on as you’ve only got 2 more blocks in the Mouse Trap Block of the Month quilt along, and then the quilty composition fun begins!!
If you haven’t already, be sure to get your Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern and sign up for the Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the quilt-along details 😊 For added help, take the optional Mouse Trap Course to see how each of the quilt blocks is made!
Happy stitching!
xo
Shannon
PS Don’t forget to share your Split Moon quilt block on the ‘gram to be entered into the giveaway!
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