Free pattern day! Storm-at-Sea Quilts and block diagrams

Storm at Sea uses small changes in straight angles to create an optical illusion of rounded shapes.  here are some free storm-at-sea quilt patterns!  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. Also see the FREE downloadable storm-at-sea coloring pages at the bottom of this post.

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Boussole quilt blocks, free pattern by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Deep Blue Sea quilt 1 (with center panel), 61 x 73", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Deep Blue Sea quilt 2, 90 x 90", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Stormy Seas, 46 x 46", free pattern by Yolanda Fundora at Urban Amish (CLICK for PDF download)

Rainbow Waves quilt, 80 x 96", free pattern by Stacey Day for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Sail Away quilt, ~48" square, free pattern by Debby Kratovil for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tide Lines quilt, ~50 x 50", free pattern by Nan Baker for Timeless Treasures Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Coral Reef, 83 x 83", free pattern by Linda Swenson Ruble for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Making Waves quilt, 90 x 90", free paper piecing pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Toes in the Water quilt, 66 x 66", free pattern by McKenna Ryan for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Storm at Sea quilt,~58 x 58", designed by Karen Selken for AccuQuilt, made by Kay Gentry, free pattern at AQS (CLICK for PDF download)

Deep Sea Delight quilt, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Island Breeze quilt, 58 x 58", free pattern by Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Storm at Sea quilt, 65 x 80", free pattern by Janice Ryan at Better Off Thread for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Wild Style Storm at Sea quilt, 50 x 50", free pattern by Teri Lucas for Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ocean State quilt, 74 x 74",  free pattern by Heidi Pridemore at Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Fruit Salad quilt, 60 x 78", free pattern by Christine Stainbrook for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Gemstone quilt, 70 x 76", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Smooth Sailing quilt, free pattern by Anjeanette Klinder for Pellon (CLICK for PDF download)

Lost in the Storm quilt, 60 x 60", cathedral window storm-at-sea, free pattern by Shelley Swanland for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Storm at Sea block, free pattern by Eleanor Burns at Quilt in a Day (CLICK for PDF download)

Shine Bright baby quilt/play mat, ~32 x 32", free pattern by Stacey Yacula for Quilting Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

About the storm-at-sea block:  The storm-at-sea block is based on a 3x3 grid.  This works out well for a 12" block, or any other size that is divisible by three.

 

Here is the traditional block, below, which has an elongated diamond (shown as two isosceles triangles) on the left hand side and the top :

Here is what the quilt would look like if 20 blocks were placed in a 4x5 grid (below). Note that an additional vertical row of diamonds is placed along the right side of the quilt to finish it off.  

These diagrams are fun to color, and are great for teaching kids about quilting (and geometry).  See if they can find different shapes within the grid, such as flowers, hearts, ribbons, and waves.  You can even find *stars* within the single-sashing version:

In a second variation, the diamond "sashing" is placed on all four sides of the center square, as shown below:

When this "double sashing" block is replicated, it creates a double set of waves in the design, as shown below :

You can download the block diagrams here.

For more storm-at-sea quilt inspiration, see Storm at Sea Quilts; Straight piecing patterns that appear curved; Can you believe it's a storm-at-sea;  Delft Storm; and Albers at Sea.

Image credits and links: This post was updated on July 13, 2024.  Block diagrams are by Quilt Inspiration. 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.