Glorious Gardens

Not all of us have an actual garden, but if you're a quilter you can create your own. Here are some glorious quilted gardens you might enjoy.

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My Whimsical Garden by Debbie Cole, quilted by Rose Maynes.  

This bright and beautiful quilt was based on My Whimsical Quilt Garden by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins. Debbie Cole says, "I have looked forward to making this quilt for 5 years. While I mostly utilized the pattern design, I added a little embellishment in the form of machine embroidery. And of course, everything is better with a dog" [see the third row, center block!] 

Flowers, Frogs and Flies, made and quilted by Mimi Braniff (Texas) 

This gorgeous quilt was based on the Flora and Fauna pattern by Dawn Heese and Bonnie Sullivan. Mimi Braniff says that she altered 6 blocks to reflect the flowers, critters, and fliers where she lives, using springlike pastel colors. "I wanted to reflect the tiny animals and beautiful butterflies that reside in my habitat."  We enjoyed this beautiful wool applique; look at the frogs amidst the vines.

My Secret Garden by Sara Quigley, quilted by Athena Lynn  

My Secret Garden was based on a 2023 Block of the Month quilt by Sarah Fielke.  Sara Quigley says that the BOM took 13 months to stitch.  "It was a great learning experience. All the pieces were needleturn applique, and some blocks were machine pieced before applique. No fabrics were provided by this BOM;  the majority of fabrics were in my stash, luckily."  

 Image credits: Photos of The Secret Garden and My Whimsical Garden were taken at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.  Photos of Flowers, Frogs and Flies were taken at the 2025 Houston International quilt show. NOTE:  Quilt Inspiration is an Amazon Associate, meaning we receive a small commission from any Amazon purchase that results from a link on this page.  Thank you for your support of Quilt Inspiration!

 

 

It's Modern Quilt Month! (3)

We're celebrating Modern Quilt Month at Q.I. This is the third of FIVE posts. According to The Modern Quilt Guild, modern quilts often use bold colors and prints, high contrast, graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, and/or expansive negative space. Enjoy!

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Garden Gone Wild, made and quilted by Sherrie Spangler

Splashy colors represent an exuberant untamed flower garden, with quilting lines adding a wind blown feeling. Sherrie Spangler says, "I painted much of the fabric, including sheer silk for color depth.  Feathers, yarn and beads scattered across the surface add to the wildness." The raw edges also add to the soft look of this quilt.

 Ripples in a Crayola Sea, made by Mimi Pollow, quilted by Quality Quilterz

Mimi Pollow says, "This quilt was started on a quilting cruise. Yes, it is from a kit, but it was far from easy.  In fact, it took me almost a year to finish." Pattern source: Strippy Double Diamond by Carol Morrissey.  

 Woven Wonder, made and quilted by Jana Knutson.

What a fantastic woven-look quilt! Jana Knutson says, "Only 400 squares to match up points! One and done pattern but it was fun." Pattern source: Over and Down Under by Bonnie Sullivan (available at many sources). 

It All Comes Together by Peter Adams, quilted by Kathy Harris. 

A graphic contemporary look was achieved with this two-color quilt. Pattern source: Modern 180 (Deb Tucker's Studio).  Peter Adams says, "This quilt was created following the Modern 180 Tumbling Triangles pattern, which uses the Studio 180 V-block tool. A V-block unit contains a centered triangle.  I was intrigued that the triangles appear to be suspended and in a free-fall motion."

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2024 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Quilt Fiesta! Highlights of the Show (3)

Here are more photos from the Quilt Fiesta, the annual Tucson (Arizona) Quilters Guild show. We saw so many fabulous quilts and are sharing some highlights here.  We hope you enjoy our photos!

p.s. Please see our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns and vintage collectibles. For continuous free quilt patterns and blog updates, please visit us on Twitter.

The Glow by Christine Nelson, quilted by Lynn Simon

Christine Nelson based this quilt on a classic Lone Star pattern, and the color and fabric choices were simply beautiful.  Christine says, "I used an ombre fabric for the main part of the star.  At the center and outer points I used fussy cut pieces from the [kaleidoscope print] border fabric. Getting the pattern lined up in the center was a challenge." The solid fabric areas allowed plenty of space for Lynn Simon's gorgeous quilting. Winner of Second Place in the Two Person - Small Pieced category. 

 Ghost by Barbara Polston

We love pet-inspired quilts, and this one is a beauty. Made and quilted by Barbara Polston, who created a portrait of her grand-dog, Ghost, using lace.  Barbara says, "Ghost is a Siberian Husky belonging to my daughter and son-in-law.  [This was] a gift for their 8th wedding anniversary which may be celebrated with lace gifts."  What a clever idea!

Aviary by Suzanne McLean, quilted by Linda Cote

Made by Suzanne McLean and quilted by Linda Cote, this beautiful wool applique quilt was based on a pattern by Bonnie Sullivan and Dawn Heese. We enjoyed seeing the many beautiful details!  Suzanne says, "[The] pattern [was] modified in several places to create a soft, vintage look that's uniquely mine."  Winner of Honorable Mention in the Two Person, Primarily Appliqued category.

It features hand appliqued wool with velvet accents on a cotton background, enhanced with embellishment stitching using a variety of stitches, thread and ribbon.

The Neighborhood by Jean Biddick

The Neighborhood was made and quilted by Jean Biddick.  It won First Place in the One Person, Small, Pieced category, plus a special award for Exemplary Piecing.

Jean says, "The Quilters Market Blockbusters theme in 2018 was 'There Goes the Neighborhood'.  I reduced the 12" to 3" blocks and added a couple of extras to make the setting work. The blocks are NOT paper pieced (!) The central block was made years ago in a Judi Blaydon workshop about light sources - it was a perfect center for my 'Neighborhood'. "

Cactus Rose by Lynne Saul

This stunning quilt, made and quilted by Lynne Saul, was based on a pattern by Judy Niemeyer.  Lynne says, "The top is paper pieced which I love to do.  After it was completed, it sat for 5 years before I quilted it.  But now it's done."  We love this design, colors, and expert workmanship.  The bright batik fabrics with their spiky points really pop against the dark background.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2024 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Free pattern day! Folk Art quilts

Folk art and traditional quilts are the coziest quilts around !  We've assembled some wonderful FREE patterns in this post. Download your favorites today! To go to a pattern: Scroll down the page until you see the quilt you like, then click on the words "CLICK for PDF download" in the title above the quilt.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items ! For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Cozy Flannel Yarn Dyes applique quilt, 33 x 39”, free wall quilt pattern by Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Liberty Blooms quilt, 43" square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Wild Orchid quilt, 66 x 72", free pattern by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Circa 1892 quilt, 70" square, free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flannel Fans quilt, 69" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Wallpaper and Paint quilt, ~76" square, free pattern by Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Birds on a Wire quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Petals traditional quilt, ~64 x 87", free pattern by Quilting Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Spice Train quilt, ~64 x 80", free pattern by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Beehive quilt, 66 x 90", free pattern by Renee Nanneman for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Courtyard quilt, ~68 x 72", free pattern by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Vin du Jour quilt, 80 x 98", free pattern by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip Time quilt, 96" square, free pattern by Project House 360 for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pashmina quilt, 77" square, free pattern by Sentimental Stitches for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) (includes embroidery design)

Valencia quilt, ~62 x 80", free pattern at Timeless Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Circling Stars quilt, 59 x 72", free pattern by Jackie Robinson for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Playground quilt, 89 x 89", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Lecien Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Cozies Flannel quilt, 84 x 98", free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Home is Best quilt (pieced and appliqued), 100 x 124”, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

A Charming Little Quilt, 17 x 21”, free mini quilt pattern by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Crazy Like Us wall hanging, ~30” square, free pattern by Sue Falkowski for The Buggy Barn / Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

Neighborly Welcome quilt, ~43 x 49", fabrics by Jo Morton, free pattern at All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Cabin Fever quilt, 66 x 82”, free pattern by Janet Houts for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Buttermilk Blossoms quilt, 68” square, free pattern by Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Embers Reds and Evergreens quilt, 54 x 64”, free pattern by Candy Hargrove for Jo Morton / Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hickory Road quilt, 72 x 72”, free pattern by Jo Morton for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Angels Among Us quilt, 68 x 68”, free pattern by The Buggy Barn for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Blessing Quilt (pieced and appliqued), 60 x 54”, free pattern by Denise Russell for Janet Nesbitt / Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Autumn Song quilt, 80 x 80”, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Believe quilt, ~62” square, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flannel Essentials quilt, 72 x 89”, free pattern by The Buggy Barn for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Folk Art Flannel quilt (patchwork and applique), 81” square, free pattern by Denise Russell for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Rustic Homestead quilt, ~60 x 62”, free pattern by Missie Carpenter for Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Shadows and Sunshine quilt, 85” square, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

Note to Self quilt 1, 48 x 57", free pattern at Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Note to Self quilt 2 (patchwork and applique), 66” square, free pattern for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Railroad Ties quilt, 80 x 96”, free pattern by Nancy Rink for Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
 

Berries and Blossoms quilt, 54 x 67", free pattern at Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ladies Album quilt, ~70 x 80", free pattern by Barbara Brackman for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Walnut Avenue quilt, 66 x 78", free pattern by Stephanie Sheridan for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Woodlands quilt, 63 x 72", free pattern by Candy Hargrove for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Merry and Bright quilt, 96” square, free pattern by Sue Falkowski for The Buggy Barn / Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Christmas Song quilt, 62" square, free pattern by Diane Nagle for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Renewed Traditions table topper, 32" square, free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Applique eBook, free patterns at Primitive Quilts and Projects (CLICK for Primitive Quilts and Projects) 

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in Free Patterns for Kim Diehl quilts (CLICK HERE!)

Image credits:  This post was updated on April 10, 2025. Individual images are copyrighted by their owners. Please respect their generosity in sharing their free patterns, and the restrictions they have placed on the use of these designs; complete information can be found at the designers' websites provided in the links. The photo montage shown on this page is a derivative work that is the property of Quilt Inspiration. If any links are broken, we'd love to know so we can fix it. Please email us at QuiltInspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.