Free pattern day! Storm-at-Sea quilt and block diagrams

Storm at Sea uses small changes in straight angles to create an optical illusion of rounded shapes.  here are some free storm-at-sea quilt patterns!  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. Also see the FREE downloadable storm-at-sea coloring pages at the bottom of this post.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, fabric, and vintage collectibles!
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Storm at Sea quilt,~58 x 58", designed by Karen Selken for AccuQuilt, made by Kay Gentry, free pattern at AQS (CLICK for PDF download)   

Boussole quilt blocks, free pattern by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Deep Blue Sea quilt 1 (with center panel), 61 x 73", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Deep Blue Sea quilt 2, 90 x 90", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Stormy Seas, 46 x 46", free pattern by Yolanda Fundora at Urban Amish (CLICK for PDF download)

Rainbow Waves quilt, 80 x 96", free pattern by Stacey Day for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tide Lines quilt, ~50 x 50", free pattern by Nan Baker for Timeless Treasures Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Coral Reef, 83 x 83", free pattern by Linda Swenson Ruble for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Making Waves quilt, 90 x 90", free paper piecing pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Toes in the Water quilt, 66 x 66", free pattern by McKenna Ryan for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Deep Sea Delight quilt, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Island Breeze quilt, 58 x 58", free pattern by Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Storm at Sea quilt, 65 x 80", free pattern by Janice Ryan at Better Off Thread for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Wild Style Storm at Sea quilt, 50 x 50", free pattern by Teri Lucas for Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ocean State quilt, 74 x 74",  free pattern by Heidi Pridemore at Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Fruit Salad quilt, 60 x 78", free pattern by Christine Stainbrook for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Gemstone quilt, 70 x 76", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Smooth Sailing quilt, free pattern by Anjeanette Klinder for Pellon (CLICK for PDF download)

Lost in the Storm quilt, 60 x 60", cathedral window storm-at-sea, free pattern by Shelley Swanland for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Storm at Sea block, free pattern by Eleanor Burns at Quilt in a Day (CLICK for PDF download)

Shine Bright baby quilt/play mat, ~32 x 32", free pattern by Stacey Yacula for Quilting Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

About the storm-at-sea block:  The storm-at-sea block is based on a 3x3 grid.  This works out well for a 12" block, or any other size that is divisible by three.

 

Here is the traditional block, below, which has an elongated diamond (shown as two isosceles triangles) on the left hand side and the top :

Here is what the quilt would look like if 20 blocks were placed in a 4x5 grid (below). Note that an additional vertical row of diamonds is placed along the right side of the quilt to finish it off.  

These diagrams are fun to color, and are great for teaching kids about quilting (and geometry).  See if they can find different shapes within the grid, such as flowers, hearts, ribbons, and waves.  You can even find *stars* within the single-sashing version:

In a second variation, the diamond "sashing" is placed on all four sides of the center square, as shown below:

When this "double sashing" block is replicated, it creates a double set of waves in the design, as shown below :

You can download the block diagrams here.

Image credits and links: This post was updated on May 12, 2025.  Block diagrams are by Quilt Inspiration. 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.

African Folklore Embroidery (Happy Hanukkah !)

This year, the beginning of Hanukkah gives us an opportunity to feature a truly multicultural craft form. We first came across African Folklore Embroidery when we spotted this intriguing Judaic African Collage at a 2014 quilt show.  The designs and quilt are by artist Leora Raikin, who was born in South Africa and has lived in California for more than 15 years; she was taught this creative needlecraft by her mother. 

Judaic African Collage by Leora Raikin at the 2014 Road to California quilt show

The blocks, which contain many Judaic designs, are embellished with strips of woven bead work, additional embroidery, and gold buttons.

We learned that Leora Raikin is not only the artist but also the owner of African Folklore Embroidery, a rapidly growing business offering patterns and supplies for African Folklore, animals, birds, flowers, Judaica, and more. 

At yet another quilt show, we spotted a quilt that features six beautiful African Folklore Embroidery flower designs.

A Window of Many Flowers by Christine McCollum, quilted by Kathy Harris

The African Folklore Panels were hand embroidered by Christine McCollum, who used only two types of stitches: chain stitch and French knots.  A collection of light and dark batiks join and frame the blocks in a braid pattern [Braid in a Day by Eleanor Burns.]  This quilt was exhibited at the 2014 Tucson Quilters' Guild show. You can see Christine's beautiful embroidery in the closeup photos below.

The extreme contrasts of brightly colored threads against the black fabric make these flowers both striking and beautiful.

Coming up:  The January 2015 Road to California quilt show will feature the largest exhibit of African Folklore Embroidery that the state of California has ever seen.  For more information on the show and on Leora Raikin's workshops and patterns, see the African Folklore Embroidery website.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

Vintage and Modern Valentines: Part 2

Did we mention that we love Valentine's Day? Vintage and modern hearts are so beautiful in quilts.  Also, quilts are an expression of love; the love that goes into making a quilt can be expressed in tangible form on Valentine's Day.  Here are some wonderful quilts which caught our eye.

Broken Heart, 56 x 76" by Laura Jansen at Butterfly Quilting (Vacaville, California)

Laura Jansen is a professional longarm quilter who is based in Northern California. Her beautiful "Broken Heart" quilt won First Place at the 2011 Dixon California May Fair.  The three-dimensional appearance of the hearts is due to the use of two different red fabrics; the fabric on the right hand side of the heart is slightly darker. The hearts are based on the "Love the Log Cabin" pattern from the book 25 Years and Still Stripping by Eleanor Burns.  A friend of Laura's, who taught a class on the pattern, called it the Broken Heart quilt.

Close-up, Broken Heart by Laura Jansen at Butterfly Quilting

In this close-up photo you can see the details of Laura Jansen's lovely quilting (can you also see the log cabin?)  The setting blocks are filled with hearts and feathers, which are echoed by feathers inside the red hearts.  Laura has enhanced the 3D appearance of the hearts by quilting parallel lines in the darker strips. You might not be able to tell how large the hearts are from this photo; for perspective, see a photo of Laura with the quilt at Butterfly Quilting. Also, at Laura's Flickr photostream, you can see her gallery of Broken Heart quilts.

Heart and Feather Wholecloth Quilt by Leah Day at The Free Motion Quilting Project

As you may know, Leah Day is the free-motion-quilting guru who started The Free Motion Quilting Project. Now, with over 365 designs created, the project is a resource for thousands of quilters around the world !   The stunning Heart and Feather quilt shown above was the subject of her 10th Quilt-Along, and the pattern and instructions are free at this link.  You can find all kinds of FMQ tools and supplies, along with instructional books and DVD's at the associated online shop, Day Style Designs.  Last but not least, Leah offers a Craftsy class called Free Motion Quilting a Sampler (there is currently a 50% discount if you follow the link at Day Style Designs !) 

i heart you, 57 x 57" or 108 x 108", by Vanessa Christenson

Vanessa Christenson is one of the modern quilt designers we admire, and this luscious heart is her first quilt and pattern for 2013.  The "i heart you" quilt can be made in either a baby quilt size or a large throw; the easy pattern features half-square triangles as shown below. 

The "i heart you" quilt, and the faux-pleated pillow shown in the first photo are made with Vanessa's own Simply Color ombre pink fabric for Moda. Just think: a quilt like this can be made with only a single fabric, plus a white background !  We love ombres, which are so useful for adding dimensionality; Vanessa's collection has 6 different hues including a gorgeous graphite gray.  For more information see Vanessa Christenson's post at V and Co (you can find the 'i heart you' pattern here).

Heart and Home Village, 63 x 72" by Jan Millner, 2012 River City Quilters' Guild; photo by Quilt Inspiration

This charming "Heart and Home Village" by Jan Millner has eight heart-themed houses along with tree and bunny applique blocks, surrounded by a heart-and-ribbon border. Jan says: "[This quilt was] made in a precision-piecing workshop in 2010. The next year we bought and downsized into a red townhouse in a village – coincidence?"  The quilt design and kit are by Arlene Stamper and Melissa Harris at The Quilt Company.  The close-up photo of  Jan Millner's quilt shows "The Purr-fect Heart House" block; you can even see tiny cats in the front windows.  Jan won a third-place ribbon for this quilt; in this photo you can see her expert quilting, including the scalloped roof on the house.

Theresa’s Heart Strings, 62 x 48", by Theresa Caselman (Hemet, California) as seen at PIQF 2012.  Photo by Quilt Inspiration.

We spotted this cheerful heart quilt at the 2012 Pacific International Quilt Show; this scrappy quilt was made with 219 different fabrics. Theresa Caselman says: "As an artist new to quilting, I love creating with the endless palette of colorful fabrics. This is my first quilt using hand applique and hand quilting; it took me 2 years to complete."  Theresa embellished many of the hearts with trinkets and jewels. The "strings" are made with bias strips that are curved into different shapes. We recognize this whimsical design as "Heart Strings" by Cindy Cooksey (a pattern is available at Jukebox Quilts).

Image Credits: Images of Broken Heart, Heart and Feather Wholecloth and 'i heart you' are shown with the generous permission of the artists.  The other photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

Free pattern day! Storm-at-Sea Quilts and block diagrams

Storm at Sea uses small changes in straight angles to create an optical illusion of rounded shapes.  Here are some free storm-at-sea quilt patterns!  Note: This post has been UPDATED.  For the latest free patterns, please visit our Free Pattern Day for Storm-at-Sea quilts (CLICK HERE!)

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

Image credits and links: This post was updated on May 12, 2025.  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.