Lucy Makes a Quilt

Cats and quilts just seem to go together! Curious cats love to sit on quilts and examine the blocks.Today's original quilt by Helen Frost celebrates the real-life antics of her cat, Lucy.  (Scroll down for a photo of Lucy herself!)

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on craft jewelry, quilt supplies, and vintage clothing!
For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on X (Twitter).       

Lucy Makes a Quilt by Helen Frost   

Renowned quilter, designer and author Helen Frost says: "My cat Lucy loves to get in the way when I am working on a quilt. This is an accurate portrayal of her antics.  I had fun finding the perfect fabrics, including the three Australian prints used to create this naughty kitty."

We got carried away admiring each of the blocks.  Here are some closeup photos:

To show her real-life inspiration for the quilt, Helen provided a photo of Lucy sitting on the work in progress:

 For more Cat Quilt Inspiration, don't miss our Free Pattern Day for Cat & Dog quilts (CLICK HERE!) 

 

 Image credits: Photos of Lucy Makes a Quilt were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona.  The quilt won a 2nd Place ribbon at the show.

Native American Quilts: Jennifer Emerson Tsosie

A brilliant selection of Native American quilts was displayed at the 2025 Modern Quilt Guild show.* From a collection at Michigan State University, their bold colors and graphic designs feel like a precursor to many of the elements we see in modern quilts today.  Today's quilts feature designs inspired by Navajo rugs.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on craft jewelry, quilt supplies, and collectibles!
For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on X (Twitter).      

Ganado Red by Jennifer Emerson Tsosie (Navajo) c. 1989 

This beautiful quilt, resembling a Navajo rug, was featured in the 1997 book titled To Honor and Comfort: Native Quilting Traditions.  

As the book describes, "Ganado-style Navajo rugs, highly regarded for their stark graphic designs, were originally made for sale at the trading post in Ganado, New Mexico. Jennifer Emerson-Tsosie uses crosses or plus designs in her Ganado Red Quilt to convey the conflict in her life between Christianity and the Native American religion."  This red-on-black quilt was made from polyester & cotton, machine pieced and quilted.

Chief's Blanket by Jennifer Emerson Tsosie (1998) (Flagstaff, Arizona)  

In Navajo arts, a Chief's Blanket is a type of woven textile known for its intricate patterns and cultural significance. These blankets feature bold geometric designsusing natural dyes in colors like red, black, white, and indigo. These beautiful deep hues and geometric designs of this quilt echo the Navajo rug-weaving tradition. 

Navajo Designs Quilt by Jennifer Emerson Tsosie (1996)  

In this one-of-a-kind black and white quilt, Tsosie replicates a different Navajo rug design in each block.  Stunning and graphic in its black-and-white simplicity, this quilt is pieced, machine appliqued, and hand quilted.

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

Free quilt pattern! Liberated Log Cabin

Improvisational quilts are SO much fun to make, allowing for unlimited creativity. Here's a FREE pattern by Gwen Marston! This quilt consists of 6 rows of free-pieced ("liberated") log cabin blocks and 3 rows of half square triangles. Download the PDF instructions today!

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

Sampler in Solids, free pattern by Gwen Marston for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 

A Peek Through the Window

A sampler quilt in an attic windows setting... what a clever idea! "Attic Windows" is a classic optical illusion in quilting. We love this fun setting, which really makes the blocks stand out! Linear quilting in the window "frames" helps heighten the illusion.

Also check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on beaded jewelry, patterns, and collectibles!
For more Quilt Inspiration, and continuous free quilt patterns, please follow us on Twitter.

A Peek Through the Window by Barbara Polston, quilted by Maria Melendez

 

 

Barbara Polston says this is "My first Attic Windows [quilt]... why did I wait so long?" A Peek Through the Window was based on a block-of-the-month program designed to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Quilt Alliance.  However, Barbara Polston customized her project by selecting these fabrics and setting. This project was professionally quilted by Maria Melendez.  

For more Quilt Inspiration, please see our Free Pattern Day for Attic Windows Quilts (CLICK HERE) and our Free Pattern Day for Sampler Quilts (CLICK HERE)!

 

 

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

A Pajama Quilt (why not?)

Throughout history, quilters have incorporated used clothing into their quilts. The blocks in today's award-winning quilt are from Christmas pajamas! The quilter turned the scraps into pajama-wearing dolls, each one with its own unique personality.

Note: Please check out our eBay shop for great bargains on gorgeous beaded jewelry, patterns, and collectibles! 

PJ Quilt #1 (2021), made and quilted by Mary Anne Ciccotelli (Provo, UT).  

Winner of a Judge's Choice award at the 2024 Springville (Utah) quilt show, Mary Anne Cicotelli explains that the blocks in this quilt are from Christmas pajamas and other items she sewed through the years. "I collected the scraps and planned to make a quilt.  In 2019, I decided it was time to either make the quilt or get rid of the scraps. My daughter suggested making blocks with a simple pajama top."  

 

Mary Anne personalized the hair colors and styles, and added buttons to some of the pajamas. This doll shown below even has its own tiny nine-patch quilt as a coverlet! 

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

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (4)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 4.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

Four Little Cowpokes, made and quilted by Lisa Fryxell

Lisa Fryxell says, "Thanks to my friend, Lynn Rubel, for allowing me to make a quilt featuring her mom (in red) and uncle, with their cousins from Illinois at Arivaca Ranch in 1935. The original photo was black and white."

Lisa Fryxell is known for her paper-piecing patterns, and it's impressive to see the photo-realism she achieved in this original portrait quilt.  

Echoes of the Past by Kay Walen, quilted by Laura Farnham 

Each feature appliqued block is surrounded by small blocks, many of which are pieced, adding to the extraordinary detail in this quilt. Kay Walen says, "This quilt pattern reminded me of prehistoric art - prevalent in the Southwest.  I decided to hone my blanket stitch applique technique and enjoyed the process." (Pattern source: Echoes of the Past by Elizabeth Anne.)

(Note: The printed card next to this quilt said "quilted by Laura Faenham"; we are assuming this is a typo, so have tentatively corrected the spelling to Laura Farnham.)

Beach Boards and Balls, made and quilted by Nancy Zeller

This small improvisational art piece really captured our attention with its energy and sense of movement.  It was inspired by the fibert art of Sue Benner, a member of SAQA.  Nancy Zeller says, "This piece was created for a monthly challenge in our Art Quilt Group to emulate the artist drawn (selected) for that month."  We loved the end result.

Remembering Nancy, made and quilted by Tami Graeber

Winner of a blue ribbon for 1st place in the applique category, Tami Graeber says: "This original design was made in remembrance of Nancy Arsenault, my friend and mentor. Machine applique was her favorite technique." Some of the beautiful details can be seen in the closeup photos.

The quilt was "inspired by a Victorian tile I own. Heavy background quilting [was used] to make the design pop." Fancy double prairie point edges add to the piece, shown below.

African Art by Janet Chumbley, quilted by Quality Quilterz

We loved this quilt, which was made with random African fabric pieces with occasional thin strips of black fabric to set off the blocks.  Janet Chumbley says,"Over the years, I had collected several different pieces of African fabric.  Eventually I had to figure out a use for them. I tried to just use yellows, reds and black." Her choice and expert arrangement of the fabrics makes for a fabulous composition.

Note: If you enjoyed this post you might also be interested in our Free Pattern Day for Africa Inspired Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

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

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (2)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 2.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

We Chose Arizona by Maine-ly Quilting Sisters (Karen Chrisman, Betty Jordan, Mary Lucas, Katherine Kenwood & Susan Baxter); quilted by Betty Jordan & Katherine Kenwood.

This incredible landscape quilt was constructed in parts, then assembled.  Each part was made with Seminole piecing. The description says, "Our group began practicing Seminole piecing together. Betty, Katherine & Mary are from Maine; Susan is from Oregon and Karen is from Arizona. We live in this beautiful state by choice. The work shows our skills and our bond as quilters."

 Queen of the Night by Trish Hastings-Sargent  

This is a framed work of art, representing a relatively new category called Rigid Finished Art Quilts (RFAQ).  They are supported by a frame, stretcher bars or other means rather than a sleeve.  When art quilts are stretched onto a rigid frame, or matted and put into a decorative frame, they resemble a fine-art piece.

We were captivated by the translucent quality of these flower petals and the embroidery representing the pistil and stamen in the center. Trish Hastings-Sargent says, "Once a year in June, the night-blooming Cereus (cactus) turns into a stunning display of fragrant white blossoms! The show begins just after dusk and is usually over by midnight. By morning, the blooms are all gone."

Tucson Five-O by the Tucson Quilters Guild Quilt Fiesta Committee, quilted by Athena Taylor.  

 Pattern source: Inspiration from TQG opportunity quilt blocks over the years.  In 2026 the Tucson Quilters Guild will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. This quilt was created with this milestone in mind (hence the name, Five-O).  It will be the guild's 2026 opportunity quilt (wow!)  The quilt center showcases the stately saguaro cactus of the Sonoran desert, along with an ocotillo and prickly pear, highlighted against the mountains and the colorful sky.

Various local birds can be seen including an owl, hummingbird, and a Gambel's quail (below). 

Sonoran Baltimore by Judy Tenen, quilted by Linda Cote 

This gorgeous Baltimore album-style quilt was designed by Nancy Landon.  Judy Tenen says, "As always, I enjoy making quilts that Nancy Landon designed.  I modified her pattern slightly and enjoy the elements that represent Tucson while still being a traditional "album" style quilt.  Linda Cote furthered the desert theme with her custom quilting. Thanks to both Nancy and Linda!"

The historic San Xavier Del Bac mission is shown in the closeup photo above. Sitting just south of Tucson, the mission is not to be missed if you are visiting the area. It is Arizona’s oldest European structure and a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture, completed in 1797.  

Beautiful applique work can be seen throughout this quilt, including the doves, squirrels, and vines in this photo.

Happiness by Sandra Schuster, quilted by Rick at Sunset Quilting

Sandra Schuster won a blue ribbon for her brightly colored beauty.  She says, "It pulses - from small to big, from thin to thick, with such saturated colors, and OH! Those feathers that are quilted on it! Brought together they equal happiness."  Pattern source: Prismatic by Gina at Gem Hill Quilts. 

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

Free pattern day! Red and White quilts (part 1)

Today we're featuring free patterns for sparkling Red and White quilts!  (For Part 2 of this series, CLICK HERE.) 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. 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 !

Coonawarra Red quilt, ~60 x 60", free pattern by Helen Stubbings for Red Rooster Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flurry mini quilt, 15"square, by Gudrun Erla for Aurifil (CLICK for PDF download)

Pointed Possibilities Quilt in 6 sizes, free pattern by Gina Tell for Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download)  

Stitch Pink Quilt Along, 30 free block patterns at Moda Fabrics; photo by Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for pattern page)

Graphic Red quilt, free pattern for bed size quilt at McCall's Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Heirloom Red quilt, 63" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Churn It Up quilt, 52 x 52", free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Scandi Quilt 2018, 60 x 75", free pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Friendship quilt, 78 x 78", free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter Garden quilt, free pattern by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Slumber Party quilt, 69 x 83", free pattern at Connecting Threads (CLICK for tutorial) 

Tear Drops quilt, ~40 x 40", free pattern at Exclusively Quilters (CLICK for PDF download)

It's Hip to Be Square, 42 x 54", free pattern by Marinda Stewart for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Diamond Day quilt, 70 x 90", free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Gallery in Red, 85 x 85", free pattern by Jean Ann Wright for Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Jolene Quilt, 56 x 76", free pattern at Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Flurry pillow, free pattern at Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits:  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; please email us at Quilt Inspiration, quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.