The Power of Quilts (and friendship)

At the recent Houton International Quilt Festival, The Power of Quilts exhibit featured the work of about 20 friends who have been working together for over 25 years.  They reinterpreted quilts of the 19th and early 20th century, using traditional techniques. Here are two gorgeous quilts by Jocelyne Picot from France.

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Intersia by Jocelyne Picot (Arvert, Nouvelle Aquitaine, France)

Using hand applique, embellishment, embroidery, piecing, and quilting, Jocelyne reproduced a quilt seen in the Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, Virginia.  This stunning appliqued quilt was entirely handmade, including wool embroidery.  The bright primary hues really stand out on the black background.

 Quilt de Guerre by Jocelyne Picot (Arvert, Nouvelle Aquitaine, France)

This wonderful folk art-style quilt with its primitive figures was inspired by an 1840-1852 quilt in the collection of Saint Fargans National History Museum in Wales.  The design is from The Retrospective of Great Britain Victorienne, as well as several biblical scenes. Jocelyne Picot created her masterpiece with hand applique, embroidery, piecing and quilting.   

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

Windham Fabrics 2025 Challenge Quilts

One of the top exhibits at the recent QuiltCon show was the Ruby+Bee fabric challenge! The featured speaker for this show, Tara Faughnan, selected six beautiful solids from the fabric collection. Quilters were instructed to use from 3 to 6 colors in the palette to create their quilt. It was so much fun to see what quilters came up with!

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Folk Bloom No. 2 by Jenn McMillan (Ontario, Canada) @jennmcmillan

Jenn McMillan says, "Based on an original drawing, and inspired by symmetrical folk floral motifs, the design was created as an ode to my love and obsession with the Evil Eye.  A charm to protect oneself from evil, ill intentions or inadvertent curses, I also see it as a reminder to be kind lest I unintentionally curse someone with my RBF." [We had to look up RBF to see what the acronym stands for... LOL!]

In this closeup photo you can see the blue stitching lines that make up the iris of the eye! This quilt was machine pieced and hand appliqued with needle-turn applique. The heart was foundation paper pieced and tied with matching thread.  Other areas were machine quilted without a frame, using a domestic machine with a walking foot. p.s.  Jenn made great use of the 6 fabrics offered in the challenge, shown below:

 

Reverb by Michaela Romesburg (California) @Michaela_G_Romesburg.  

Winner of 1st Place in the quilt challenge, this stunner is a modern twist on a classic log cabin design. Michaela Romesburg says: "My hope was to create movement through the utilization of color and pattern.  The combination of warm and cool colors create the illusion of space and depth. The added hand applique ring adds to the illusion of reverberation."

Michaela explains that Reverb was designed with harmony, balance and depth in mind. The exceptionally straight fabric lines were foundation paper pieced (FPP).  The final product was machine quilted without a frame using a domestic machine. 

Petal Blossom Fabric Challenge by Jenn Smith (Washington, USA) @Jenn B Quilts

Petal Blossom is a quilt pattern which Jenn Smith designed in the fall of 2024.  At first glance it looks familiar - an orange peel block.  But then you notice it's also a Drunkard's Path* block, with the orange peel sitting inside the Drunkard's path, creating a new block.  We love the way in which Jenn Smith used the challenge fabrics to maximize contrasts. This piece was machine pieced and longarm machine quilted.

 *If you enjoyed this post, you might also be interested in our Free Pattern Day for Drunkard's Path Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

 

Image credits:  Quilt photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 QuiltCon show in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Silent Night

Silent Night is one of our favorite Christmas carols!  Here is an award-winning quilt featuring four winter woodland scenes, done in a folk art style. The third panel shows a brightly lit church with an angel flying overhead.  

Silent Night, Holy Night. 

All is calm, all is bright.

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Silent Night, made and quilted by Luanne Wood.

This quilt shows a variety of appliqued activities that are enjoyed on winter nights and surrounds them with cozy log cabin blocks, which were machine quilted with snowflakes.  Luanne Wood was awarded a 2nd place ribbon for her expert applique and quilting. 

The gorgeous details can be seen in these closeup photos! The pattern source is Silent Night from Timeless Traditions by Norma Whaley. Luanne Wood says, "I chose to embellish the applique with beads and poms, etc. to add a bit of whimsy."  Luanne won a 2nd place award (with a red ribbon) for her achievement.

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2024 Tucson (Arizona) Quilt Fiesta.

  

Live a Thankful Life

Abundant research shows that an attitude of gratitude is the key to a happy life. Gratitude can lead to hope, life satisfaction, and healthy behaviors. Here's a beautiful quilt called Live a Thankful Life that celebrates autumn and Thanksgiving.

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Live a Thankful Life by Rhonda Montgomery (Orem, Utah)

Winner of a Judge's Choice award at the Utah show*, Rhonda Montgomery says: "My friend and I fell in love with this quilt pattern. We challenged ourselves to each make one, and then [made] a third to donate to the Festival of Trees. I had never worked with wool on a quilt before, and I found it both challenging and rewarding." Here is a closeup photo of the turkey block:

The wool appliques are fused and then hand-appliqued using blanket stitches and embroidery floss.  We enjoyed Rhonda's beautiful embroidery and quilting!  Here is a autumn tree with pumpkins at the base.

Rhonda Montgomery says that she used flannel for the background and that it was a fun quilt to make!  The motifs include a gray squirrel, below, and flower vines with oak leaves, all of which are beautifully done.

 Live a Thankful Life is a pattern designed by Lisa Bongean for Primitive Gatherings.  

*Note: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2024 Springville (Utah) quilt show.

Free pattern day! Kim Diehl quilts

Folk art quilts are the coziest quilts around! And Kim Diehl is one of everyone's favorite designers.  Her quilts emphasize traditionally-inspired patchwork designs, often combined with appliqué. 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 !

 Folk Art Dish Garden wall quilt, ~20 x 24", free pattern by Kim Diehl for Martingale & Co (CLICK for PDF download)

Blush and Blue lap quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Flowering Friendships mini quilt, 18" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Oats and Herbs quilt, ~54" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Idaho Lily wall quilt or table topper, ~28" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Harvest Hill quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download) 

Farmhouse Christmas lap quilt, ~56 x 62", free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Fiddlesticks and Fancies quilt, ~70" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

 Garden Trellis lap quilt, ~56 x 60", free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Star Baskets quilt, ~72" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Star Chain quilt, ~72" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Star Struck lap quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Liberty Legacy quilt, ~70" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Maple Leaves lap quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Midnight Blooms quilt, inspired by Late Bloomers by Kim Diehl, free pattern by All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

 Midnight Sky patchwork quilt, ~62" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Winsome quilt, ~56" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Bumper Crop wall quilt or table topper, ~30" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Scrappenstance Morning quilt, ~70" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Scrappenstance Evening quilt, ~70" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Sunday Best quilt, ~66" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Biscuits and Jam lap quilt, ~54" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Biscuits and Jam mini quilt, ~13" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Vintage Farmhouse medallion quilt [w/ printed center panel], ~68" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Farmstead Game Board mini quilt, 14.5” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Widdlytinks mini quilt, ~12 x 14", free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Simple Whatnots Sampler mini quilt, ~28” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl for Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download)

Butter Churn Berry Blossoms mini quilt,~20” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Butter Churn mini quilt, ~20” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Heritage Stars wall quilt or table topper, ~34” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Sunday Stars table topper, ~36” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Garden Grove quilt, ~60" square, free patchwork and applique pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Evening Star Quilt, 64 x 64”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Farmstead Harvest lap quilt, ~60 x 70”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Abundant Blessings patchwork quilt, ~61 x 61”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Handful of Stars quilt, ~62” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Walk in the Park table runner, ~18 x 33”, and placemats, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Liberty Star Banner, ~20 x 48”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Hearthside Seasons quilt (pieced and appliqued), ~70” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Katie’s Cupboard lap quilt, 60 x 64”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Lanterns in the Cabin quilt, 92 x 106”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Snowball Blossoms wall quilt or table topper, ~21” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Over Yonder table topper, ~39” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Vintage Farmhouse patchwork quilt, ~62” square, and table runner, ~12 x 36”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Welcome Wagon Patchwork quilt, ~58” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Blessings quilt (pieced and appliqued), ~64” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Walk in the Park quilt, ~82 x 82”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download) 

Winter Cheer quilt, ~60” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Hearthside Seasons Mini Winter Quilt, ~18 x 20”, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF Instructions) + (CLICK for PDF templates)

Hearthside Seasons Winter (snowman) quilt, 58” square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Ebony and Onyx Star Garland quilt, ~70 x 72", free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

Ebony and Onyx patchwork quilt, ~66" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl (CLICK for PDF download)

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in our Free Pattern Day for Folk Art Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

Image credits: This post was updated on October 1, 2024. 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.