Z is for Zinnia, C is for Cosmos

Kathie Kerler is a quilter and hand embroiderer. While she creates abstract quilts and still ventures into traditional work, her niche is representational art quilts. Kathie says that her goal in creating Z is for Zinnia was to give the viewer the feeling of gazing into a lush garden. 

Z is for Zinnia, C is for Cosmos, 31.5″ x 41.5″, by Kathie Kerler (Portland, Oregon)  

As someone who began her fiber art practice with hand embroidery and a particular love of crewel work, Kathie Kerler gravitated to appliqué as her primary construction technique. She says, "This quilt brought together my skills and knowledge, beginning with the design of sylized flowers that I brought to life with hand embroidery, hand-twisted cords, and machine quilting." 

The beautiful hand embroidery adds an extra dimension and texture to the whole design. 

In addition to creating fiber art, Kathie Kerler has been judging quilts and wearables nationally since 2002 and she is certified through the National Association of Certified Judges (NACQJ). Please visit KathieKerler.com to see more of her beautiful work.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.

Spring is Magical: FREE pattern!

Enough of all the cold weather...bring on the sunshine! It's time for some warmth, flowers, and hummingbirds. Here is a sweet mini quilt by Carol Swift for Thermoweb.

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Spring is Magical, 12" x 14", free pattern by Carol Swift (CLICK for tutorial) + (CLICK for PDF download) 

Spring is Magical would make an adorable pillow, placemat, or a wall hanging for hummingbird lovers. It would also make a beautiful motif within a larger quilt. The tutorial has applique templates, plus instructions for fusible web, spray basting, and machine finishing of the appliqued edges! 

 

Image credits: photos are the property of Carol Swift for Thermoweb.  Please respect any restrictions the designer has placed on the use and distribution of this pattern; details can be found in the links provided herein. 

Vintage Nursery: FREE patterns!

Do you love Tilda's World like we do? The fabric and craft brand — founded in 1999 by Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger — has become a beloved name in quilting. Here is their Vintage Nursery, featuring charming pillow designs for the nursery! 

The appliquéd rabbits, dogs, cats and elephants can be interchanged for different looks, and there is even a customizable alphabet. Here are a few of our favorites!

Bluebell wreath pillow, ~16 x 20", free pattern by Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download) 

Flowerfield pillow, ~16" x 18", free pattern by Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download) 

The Flowerfield and Carousel pillow, below, include an appliqué alphabet, allowing you to change the letter to one of your choice to suit the recipient!  

Carousel pillow, ~16 x 18", free pattern by Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download)  

Flower Wreath Elephant pillow, ~16 x 18", free pattern by Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download) 

Image credits: Photos and patterns are copyrighted by Tilda's World.  Please respect the restrictions they have placed on the use of these patterns.  Details can be found at the provided links. 

 

Quilt Inspiration: Edyta Sitar (+ FREE pattern!)

Edyta Sitar designs innovative quilting patterns for Laundry Basket Quilts and fabric collections for Andover Fabrics. Here are two beautiful quilts inspired by her designs; also scroll down for a FREE pattern!

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

Pennsylvania by Cheryl Martin & Bonna Flake Smith, quilted by B'nae Pulve.  

Based on the published design called Pennsylvania by Edyta Sitar, this was a block-of-the-month mystery quilt pattern.  It's a beautiful pieced flower design pattern with raw edge applique. Cheryl Martin says the quilt brought her out of her comfort zone, but taught her a new skill.  

Flowers in the Ocean by Betty Jordan, quilted by The Quilting Starz.  

Inspired by Spring Sprouts by Laundry Basket Quilts, Betty Jordan explained that they sent fabric each month. She loves how the finished quilt turned out (it's beautiful!).  

Last but not least, here's a FREE pattern by Edyta Sitar including appliqued flowers and leaves:

Berry Patch quilt, 34" square, free pattern by Edyta Sitar for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: Photos of Flowers in the Ocean were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Tucson Quilters Guild show. Photos of Pennsylvania were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Quilt Arizona show.

 

Lollypop Trees!

Kim McLean has inspired hundreds of quilters with her bright, cheery designs. Featuring Kaffe Fassett fabrics, her designs make us smile. We hope you enjoy these Lollypop Tree quilts from recent shows! 

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Life in Lost City by Denise Bell, quilted by Ann Olson. 

The maority of the center four blocks are from Kim Mclean's Lollypop Trees pattern, but Denise Bell created her own border and embellishments. Denise says her version of Kim Mclean's pattern took an awkward turn after she experienced a motorcycle accident.  "Recovering, I had time to ponder my rural surroundings, which didn't include sculpted trees but did include wild grape vines, frogs, pollinators, and a wealth of wildlife that began to populate my quilt."

Check out the fussy-cut peace symbols and daisies, and the tinhy bee in the border! To the left of the bee is an appliqued snail. Hand applique, embellishment, and piecing; and machine quilting were used to create this beauty.  

Left-over Lollypop Trees, made and quilted by Pat Morris

Pat Morris based this wonderful quilt on the Lollypop Trees pattern by Kim McLean.  Pat says, "It is hand appliqued using Kaffe Fassett fabrics in my stash. I made a larger quilt and had six left over blocks." She alternated cool and warm blocks for a harmonious design.  

Lollypop Trees by Linda Jenkins, quilted by Penny Boese.  

 Linda Jenkins says she loved this pattern and chose to make it in Kaffe Fassett fabrics. She started the top in March, 2018 and finished it October 15, 2025. Winner of Exemplary Machine Quilting - Computer Guided, the outstanding quilting was done by Penny Boese.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival (Life in Lost City by Denise Bell), the 2026 Quilt Arizona show (Lollypop Trees by Linda Jenkins) and the 2024 Tucson Quilters Guild show (Leftover Lollypop Trees by Pat Morris).

Highlights of Quilt Arizona! (4)

The annual Quilt Arizona show is a highlight of spring!  Here are some great quilts from this year's show (part four of 4)!

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Baltimore Spring by Pearl Sceviour, quilted by Spools: The Workshop. 

 Winner of a Blue Ribbon for 1st Place in the Applique-Duet category, Pearl Sceviour says this is her third in this series of quilts.  it is based on the Baltimore Spring pattern by Pearl Pereira (P3Designs). "I love the technical challenge of the tiny detail in this pattern and it has been one of the most satisfying quilts I've made to date. I did a lot of the quilting within the applique motifs, as I was willing to spend the time with color changes." 

Pretty in Pink, made and quilted by Barb Tatera. 

 Winner of a 3rd place ribbon in its category, this quilt began in an AQG class on the Crimson Christmas pattern by Krista Moser.  Barb Tatera says, "I changed the largest poinsettia to pink to create a fresh, contemporary color palette.  The free-hand feathers emphasize the petals of these classic winter blooms.  I'm so glad I took the class!"

Chasing Dreams by Pamela Elliott, quilted by Jessica Jones.  

Winner of a 2nd Place ribbon in the kit quilt category, Pamela Elliott says that she loves color and paper piecing and this pattern caught her interest.  "It was a joy to work on."  It was based on the published design: Chasing Dreams by Jacqueline de Jonge.

 Unfolding, made and quilted by Claire Victor  @cvqquilts

Winner of a Blue Ribbon for 1st Place in the Modern-Small category, Claire Victor says that this quilt was designed using Procreate.  "I am trying to create dimension and motion without shading or painting.  It was constructed by English Paper Piecing (EPP) and machine quilted on a domestic Bernina machine with no stitch regulator."

 Claire Victor says, " The background quilting design is my modern tribute to crazy quilting."

  Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Quilt Arizona show.

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!

 

 

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.

100 Days of Greenery

March is the month where trees and plants start to sprout leaves. It's no wonder that green is associated with growth and renewal. Here are three quilts we admire from the US, Spain, and Taiwan.  Also scroll down for a FREE monstera leaf pattern!

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

100 Days of Greenery, made and quilted by Cassandra Beaver (Ohio, USA). 

Photographs of a wide variety of plant life at the local botanical garden inspired this hand needleturn applique quilt by Cassandra Beaver. Using AutoCAD, she translated the images into a template line drawing. She created the quilt over 100 days and completed the design with gridded quilting remniscent of observing the outdoor world through a window screen.  

Wind in the Leaves by Ekaterina Bessarabova (Valencia, Spain).  

A light wind plays beautifully in the leaves... thin branches bend gracefully and young foliage shines and shimmers with different shades in motion, obeying the flow of air. This gorgeous original design was made with hand applique, embellishment, and embroidery; and finished with machine quilting.  Photos of Wind in the Leaves were taken at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.

Blooming Flower of Happiness by Liu-Chi Yung-Yun (New Taipei City, Taiwan)  

 

 

A gorgeous original quilt made with small pieces of fabric appliqued and quilted by machine, with the following message: "Happiness is just like the flowers in bloom.  A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it.  It just blooms".

  

 

Celebrate green with this easy Plantae place mat, 18" x 15", free pattern by Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

 

Image credits: Photos of 100 Days of Greenery, Wind in the Leaves and Blooming Flower of Happiness were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.