Star Garden Quilt

Spring is here, and it's time to enjoy the longer days and emerging flowers.  Here's a gorgeous quilt that brings the season to life, all year round.  Can you find the birds, bunny, and butterflies?

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

Nana's Star Garden by Susan Foster, quilted by Jessica Jones. 

Based on a published design (Star Garden by Minick and Simpson, previously published in Quiltmania magazine,) Nana's Star Garden plan included a larger design area for a free flowing natural garden. Susan Foster says, "I used some of the basic design elements, but added a strawberry thief bird, a variety of flowers, cherries, etc.  She also added broderie perse butterflies, "as no pretty flower garden is complete without them."

Here are a few closeup photos showing Jessica Jones' beautiful flower and feather quilting, which lends the finishing touch to this beautifully made quilt.

 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Arizona Quilters Guild show.  This quilt won a red ribbon (second place) in the Applique-Solo category.

Free pattern day! Patriotic and flag quilts

Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day are just around the corner!  Here are 50 free patterns for red, white and blue quilts, wall hangings, flags, pillows and table toppers. NOTE:  This post has been UPDATED.  For the latest patterns, please visit our Free Pattern Day for Patriotic & Flag quilts (CLICK HERE!)

p.s. check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, fabric, and vintage jewelry!
For more free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter.

Image credits:  This post was updated on May 22, 2025. All 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.  If any links are broken, we'd love to know; email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Q.I. classics: Free Pattern Day ! Patriotic Quilts

'Tis the season for red, white and blue ! Memorial Day, Flag Day, and America's Independence Day are just around the corner.  This post was recently updated... please link over to our latest Free Pattern Day for Patriotic Quilts !

Image credits:  All images are copyrighted by their owners. Please see the latest Free Pattern Day post for links to the original websites for these images.

Free Pattern Day: Patriotic Quilts

'Tis the season for red, white and blue ! We've been collecting patriotic quilt patterns (aka Stars and Stripes, Old Glory) and we came up with some great free patterns from all around the country.  Note: This post has been updated; please see the latest patriotic Free Pattern Day.

Uncle Sam's Quilt by Andie Johnson for Moda Bakeshop

A Tribute to Sacagawea

The Kansas City Star’s gorgeous Block of the Month for 2012 honors the American heroine, Sacagawea, the only woman to travel with Lewis and Clark’s expedition.  The young mother, who carried her infant son on her back throughout the arduous journey, was a symbol of peace to other Native Americans. Her contributions were many, her bravery and fearless heart outstanding. Laurie Simpson, of Simpson and Minick, designed, stitched and quilted this quilt that commemorates Sacagawea’s spirit and courage. We're captivated by the folk art imagery in this quilt!

Spirit of Sacagawea, 66 x 84", by Laurie Simpson at Minick and Simpson

This beautiful quilt was made from Laurie Simpson's scrap basket with all the red, white, and blue scraps of Minick and Simpson collections. The quilt is a combination of pieced and applique work; six blocks are pieced and the rest are appliqued.  The block-of-the-month set includes all 12 patterns plus the finishing instructions.

About Laurie Simpson:  Laurie Simpson has delighted others with her quilts for over 30 years. Drawn to traditional themes and techniques, she piece, appliques, and quilts by hand. Laurie is the co-author of "Folk Art Friends; Hooked Rugs and Coordinating Quilts" and "Everyday Folk Art; Hooked Rugs and Quilts to Make" with her sister Polly Minick. Laurie is also a Moda Fabric designer and will be included in the new book "Designer Quilts: Great Projects from Moda's Best Fabric Artists."

Image credits:  The image is shown with the generous permission of Laurie Simpson.  For more information including patterns, kits and books please visit the Minick and Simpson website.