The Beauty in Cross Stitch

This post is a tribute to embroidery, to quilting, and to moms everywhere.  So many of us learned to sew and quilt from our moms and/or grandmas, and we remember their patience and love in teaching us these skills.  Happy (upcoming) Mothers Day to all!

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The Beauty in Cross Stitch by Myrt Gehring (Utah), quilted by Carole Lifferth.  

Myrt Gehring did the beautiful cross stitch and other embroidery on this quilt, which was exhibited at the 2024 Springville (Utah) quilt show. She says, "I'm dedicating this quilt to my mom! She was an awesome seamstress and taught me so much." The interlocking hearts were made with lines of red cross stitch, filled in with delicate sprigs of flowers.

Myrt says, "[My mom] taught me how to sew, crochet and embroider.  Now my passion is for quilting.  I wish she were here to see and share it with me.  I love creating from all the beautiful fabrics we have to choose from! My mother would love it, too." 

We admire the detailed borders, including a pleated pink fabric trimmed with crocheted loops.

Carole Lifferth (@quiltingloft) did some spectacular machine quilting, dividing the blocks into smaller areas to create intricate quilting designs which add so much to this lovely quilt.
 

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

Chocolate and Cherries

What to do with all those scraps? is a perennial question for avid quilters.  In keeping with Valentine's Day, here's a creative wall quilt by Karen Canada.  She cleverly used brown and red scraps to create Chocolate & Cherries.

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Chocolate & Cherries by Karen Canada, quilted by Susan Taubel  

 Karen Canada took a traditional design to a fun new level with this quilt!  Karen says, "I was stumped as to what to do with all my brown scraps until I took Brita Nelson's workshop on "Crumbs to Quilts".  Combining scraps of brown with red reminded me of chocolate covered cherries and Valentine's Day.  I then turned the resulting scrap squares and triangles into scrappy hearts."  

Susan Taubel's hand guided quilting includes even more hearts to complement the theme.

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Exemplary Hand Quilting

We admired the beautiful hand quilting and applique work on this bed-size quilt. The scalloped edges add to the traditional charm.  Hand quilting is nearly a lost art, and every time we see it we contemplate the hours of work and care that going into the tiny, regular stitches.  This quilt is also special because it is a legacy left by one of the makers.

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The Country Love Quilt, made and quilted by Janet Stevenson & Joyce Parker

Winner of the Exemplary Hand Quilting award at a recent show, Janet Stevenson says: "My best friend and I made this classic queen size quilt (plus a pillow cover) during Covid. We hand-appliqued and hand-quilted from August 2020 to December 2021. Shortly after finishing it we lost Joyce to a long cancer battle. This is Joyce's legacy." 

 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

 

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!)

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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! Folk Art quilts

Folk art and traditional quilts are the coziest quilts around !  We've assembled some wonderful FREE patterns in this post. 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 !

Cozy Flannel Yarn Dyes applique quilt, 33 x 39”, free wall quilt pattern by Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Liberty Blooms quilt, 43" square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Wild Orchid quilt, 66 x 72", free pattern by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Circa 1892 quilt, 70" square, free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flannel Fans quilt, 69" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Wallpaper and Paint quilt, ~76" square, free pattern by Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Birds on a Wire quilt, ~64" square, free pattern by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Petals traditional quilt, ~64 x 87", free pattern by Quilting Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Spice Train quilt, ~64 x 80", free pattern by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Beehive quilt, 66 x 90", free pattern by Renee Nanneman for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Courtyard quilt, ~68 x 72", free pattern by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Vin du Jour quilt, 80 x 98", free pattern by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip Time quilt, 96" square, free pattern by Project House 360 for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pashmina quilt, 77" square, free pattern by Sentimental Stitches for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) (includes embroidery design)

Valencia quilt, ~62 x 80", free pattern at Timeless Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Circling Stars quilt, 59 x 72", free pattern by Jackie Robinson for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Playground quilt, 89 x 89", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Lecien Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Cozies Flannel quilt, 84 x 98", free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Home is Best quilt (pieced and appliqued), 100 x 124”, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

A Charming Little Quilt, 17 x 21”, free mini quilt pattern by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Crazy Like Us wall hanging, ~30” square, free pattern by Sue Falkowski for The Buggy Barn / Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

Neighborly Welcome quilt, ~43 x 49", fabrics by Jo Morton, free pattern at All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Cabin Fever quilt, 66 x 82”, free pattern by Janet Houts for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Buttermilk Blossoms quilt, 68” square, free pattern by Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Embers Reds and Evergreens quilt, 54 x 64”, free pattern by Candy Hargrove for Jo Morton / Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hickory Road quilt, 72 x 72”, free pattern by Jo Morton for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Angels Among Us quilt, 68 x 68”, free pattern by The Buggy Barn for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Blessing Quilt (pieced and appliqued), 60 x 54”, free pattern by Denise Russell for Janet Nesbitt / Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Autumn Song quilt, 80 x 80”, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Believe quilt, ~62” square, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flannel Essentials quilt, 72 x 89”, free pattern by The Buggy Barn for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Folk Art Flannel quilt (patchwork and applique), 81” square, free pattern by Denise Russell for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Rustic Homestead quilt, ~60 x 62”, free pattern by Missie Carpenter for Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Shadows and Sunshine quilt, 85” square, free pattern by Janet Nesbitt for Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

Note to Self quilt 1, 48 x 57", free pattern at Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Note to Self quilt 2 (patchwork and applique), 66” square, free pattern for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Railroad Ties quilt, 80 x 96”, free pattern by Nancy Rink for Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
 

Berries and Blossoms quilt, 54 x 67", free pattern at Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ladies Album quilt, ~70 x 80", free pattern by Barbara Brackman for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Walnut Avenue quilt, 66 x 78", free pattern by Stephanie Sheridan for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Woodlands quilt, 63 x 72", free pattern by Candy Hargrove for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Merry and Bright quilt, 96” square, free pattern by Sue Falkowski for The Buggy Barn / Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Christmas Song quilt, 62" square, free pattern by Diane Nagle for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Renewed Traditions table topper, 32" square, free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Applique eBook, free patterns at Primitive Quilts and Projects (CLICK for Primitive Quilts and Projects) 

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in Free Patterns for Kim Diehl quilts (CLICK HERE!)

Image credits:  This post was updated on April 10, 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 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.