Celtic Whimsy

Celtic quilts are a unique art form. They are characteristized by flowing, curvilinear forms — spirals, scrolls, S-shapes, tendrils, and plant-like motifs, made with narrow bias strips.  In honor of March and St. Patricks' Day, here are some beautiful Celtic designs (also scroll down for some FREE celtic knot patterns!)

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

Celtic Whimsy, 2027 opportunity quilt by the Tucson Quilters Guild

Winner of Best of Show at the 2026 Quilt Fiesta, along with 1st Place in the Group Quilts category. This fabulous medallion quilt is the 2027 opportunity quilt by the Tucson Quilters Guild! The original design features machine appliqued Celtic knots and scrollwork.

Celtic Whimsy was created by Caroline Ellermann, JoAnn Hinchliffe, Karen Kelter, Chris Nelson, Stephanie Nordlin and Beverly Reiter, with binding by Helen Frost and quilting by Penny Boese.

 

Osgoode Hall by Jean Biddick & Jo Cady-Bull (2006).  

Winner of Best of Show at the 2006 Tucson Quilters Guild show, this design is based on a floor in an historic court building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  There are 4,205 pieces of fabric, 20 yeards of 1/4" bias for the Celtic applique, and 500 painted squares (each with three coats of ink to get the right color!)  The makers, Jean Biddick & Jo Cady-Bull, say: "The best memories are of working together and winning together."

You might also enjoy a previous post on Celtic quilts: 

Celtic Fox by Kathy McNeil, 2018 photo by Quilt Inspiration  

Celtic Knot wall hanging, free template by Quilters World (CLICK for PDF download) 

 

 

Celtic Knot block, 12" square, free pattern at McCalls Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Lucky Charms quilt and table runner, free pattern by Janet Houts for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Modern Celtic wall hanging, 32" square, free pattern by Tricia Lynn Maloney at Quilters World (CLICK for PDF download)

 

 

 Image credits: Photos of Celtic Whimsy and Osgoode Hall were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

TUTORIAL: Make an Irish Chain Wall Quilt or Table Topper

Irish folklore tells us that the three leaves of the shamrock symbolize faith, hope, and love. And if you happen to find a four-leaf clover, then even more luck will come to you! Here's how to make a 36" x 36"  wall quilt/ table topper in the Irish Chain pattern with a shamrock theme.

 

This quilt has only two alternating blocks. One block is a single square of fabric, and the other block is a Nine-Patch block.  

FABRIC FOR FRONT OF QUILT :

Fabrics "A" and "B" need to be fabrics with high contrast, so that you can see the criss-cross diamond-shaped lines that make the chain effect. 

Fabric A: For Fabric A, we chose 1 yard of a very bright green cotton with puppies and gold metallic sparkles.  From Fabric A, cut twelve squares, each one 6 1/2 " square. These will be the single square blocks.

Fabric A strips for nine-patch blocks: Also from Fabric A,  cut 4 strips that are 2.5" wide , cutting on the width of the fabric. These strips will be used in making the Nine-Patch blocks.

Binding strips: Also from Fabric A, cut another 4 strips that are 2.5" wide, cutting on the width of the fabric. These will be the binding strips. 

Fabric B: For Fabric B, use 1/2 yard of a pale neutral fabric to provide a sharp contrast with the bright green fabric.  Ours is white, with light gray paw prints. Check to make sure that your fabrics show a big contrast which can clearly be seen. That way, you will see the chain effect.

Cut Fabric B into 5 strips, 2.5" inches each, cutting on the width of the fabric.  These strips will be used in the Nine Patch square to make the criss-cross lines of the chain. 

 

Fabric C: Fabric C is for the border strips.  Use 1/2 yard of a coordinating fabric of your choice. We used tiny green shamrocks. Cut  4 border strips, each one 2.5" by the width of the fabric. 

FABRIC FOR BACK OF QUILT: Cut one square of fabric size 42" x 42" for the backing. We used a coordinating tone-on-tone green fabric, like a Moda Marble fabric.

PIECING INSTRUCTIONS: 

Now we'll start to make the Nine-Patch block. First we'll sew together lengthwise one Fabric A strip (green), then one Fabric B strip (pale neutral), then another Fabric A (green) strip.  These three fabrics sewn together are called a "strip set." We've shown them mocked up below:

A-B-A strip set (make one)

Next, make two strip sets of  Fabric B (white) - Fabric A (green) and- Fabric B (white). When finished, your strip sets will look like the photo below. 

B-A-B strip set (make two)

Now it's time to create the Nine-Patch block that will comprise the Irish chain!  

From the A-B-A strip set (green-white-green), slice off 13 crosswise pieces, each one 2 1/2 ". 

Make 13

 From the B-A-B strip sets (white-green-white), slice off 13 pieces from each of the strip sets to make 26 crosswise pieces altogether.  

 Using these slices, you'll build a Nine-Patch square as shown below with the actual fabric.

Make 13 nine-patch blocks as shown.

.

Next, lay out your alternating quilt blocks for the final assembly. You will have 5 rows across and 5 rows down. (25 blocks total).

Working from the left, Row 1 starts with a Nine-Patch block.

Sew the rows together using the chain piecing method of your choice. 

Add the top and bottom border strips, then the side strips. 

Add batting if you wish, then baste the quilt to the backing fabric. 

Sew on the binding strips, and you're all finished ! Enjoy your new project ! 

Image credits:  Photos and instructions are by Quilt Inspiration.  Do not duplicate without permission. quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Free pattern day! GREEN quilts

Today we're featuring quilts inspired by the color green. NOTE:  This post has been UPDATED.  For the latest freebies, please visit our Free Pattern Day for GREEN quilts (CLICK HERE!)

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.

Image credits: This post was updated on January 4, 2026. 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.

Free pattern day! Irish Chain quilts

We are pleased to introduce another fabulous Free Pattern Day (we're on a roll!) Irish Chain quilts date to the early 1800s; they are made with squares that create a crisscross design (see our step-by-step Irish Chain Quilt tutorial (CLICK HERE!) We're showing two dozen FREE patterns for single, double, and triple Irish Chain quilts, plus some modern variations on a theme.

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" (or the hyperlinked website name) in the title above the quilt.

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.

Irish Fade quilt, ~76” square, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Waterfall quilt, 98” square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Garden quilt, 72 x 89”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Nara Irish Chain quilt, ~59 x 62”, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Norway quilt, 60” square, free pattern by Edyta Sitar for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Out of the Blue quilt, 80 x 98”, free pattern by Janet Houts for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Chain Charm quilt, 78 x 84”, free pattern by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Clune quilt, ~58” square, free pattern by Max & Louise for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Country Fields quilt - Desertscapes, 54 x 66”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Country Fields quilt – Wishwell, 54 x 66”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Chain of Fools quilt, 74” square, free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Double Irish Chain quilt, 3 sizes, free pattern by Jackie Robinson for Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Simply Blue baby quilt, 31 x 38”, free pattern by Sue Daley for Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Dreams quilt, 78” square, free pattern by Corey Yoder for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download) 

Jewel Box quilt, 52 x 64”, free pattern by Jinny Beyer for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Nostalgia quilt, 68 x 76”, free pattern by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hummingbird quilt, ~72 x 90”, free pattern by Gina Gempesaw for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Star Junction quilt, 54 x 66”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Playtime baby quilt, 41 x 47”, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Postage Stamp Stars quilt, 60 x 72", free pattern by Alexia Abegg for Cotton + Steel (CLICK for PDF download)

Prairie Crossing quilt, 57 x 72”, free pattern by Julie Hendricksen for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Seaside Cottage quilt, 74” square, free pattern by Natalie Crabtree for Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Jacob’s Ladder quilt, 80 x 100", free pattern by AE Nathan (CLICK for PDF download)

City Lights quilt, 50 x 60”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Purple Stars quilt, 68 x 84”, free pattern by Cindy Carter at Carter Quilter (CLICK for PDF download)

X’s and O’s quilt, 69" square, free pattern by Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Daisy Chain – Light quilt, ~73” square, free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Daisy Chain – Dark quilt, ~73” square, free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Also see our Free Quilt Patterns for St. Patrick's Day including shamrocks!:

Image credits: This post was updated on January 26, 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 montages shown on this page are derivative works that are copyrighted by Quilt Inspiration; please do not copy images without permission. If any links are broken, we'd love to know; email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.