Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Modern Quilt Month 2015 (part 2)
Blockade, 31 x 47, by Martina Hilgert-Vervoort , Germany
Martina explains about her original design, "We face the world smiling; it's just a facade. We don't allow for much of our inside to show on the outside. That's self-protection-- at least, that's what we are convinced of. Sometimes, we set up barricades, which make it almost impossible to communicate with our environment. It's hard to.....overcome blockages." We admire this quilt for its superb sense of texture and its lovely monochromatic shades of blue, with contrasting yellow-orange.
Close up, Blockade by Martina Hilgert-Vervoort
Martina continues, "I constructed my quilt by integrating 3/8' narrow strips of fabric. I used mono-filament thread for quilting in order to achieve the structures I envisioned." Martina's quilt is comprised of hand-dyed cotton fabric, which was pieced and quilted on her domestic sewing machine.
Intra-Galactic Journey by Evelyn Link and Chris Lynn Kirsch
Third place winner in the Pieced Modern Quilts category in the 2014 Arizona Quilters Guild Show, this work is a collaboration quilt inspired by quilt teacher Andi Perejda's class, "Circle of Illusion." The circle, flying geese pattern, and quilting was contributed by Evelyn. The Mariner's Compass in the center and more quilting was contributed by Chris.
Intra-Galactic Journey by Evelyn Link and Chris Lynn Kirsch
Beautiful "ice-cream sherbet" colors of tangerine, apricot, peach, and lemon provide a dynamic contrast to the dark background. This design reminds us of a beam of light traveling through the night sky to an unknown world.
Intra-Galactic Journey by Evelyn Link and Chris Lynn Kirsch
We really admire the accurate piecing and workmanship which adds to the "op art" visual effect of "Intra-Galactic Journey."
Who Won in London 2012, 46 x 48", by Caroline Wilkinson, United Kingdom
Caroline notes of her original design, "My inspiration was triggered by the London Olympics in 2012. My idea was to celebrate this exciting event with a quilted piece which suggested a race to the viewer."
Close up, Who Won in London 2012 by Caroline Wilkinson
Caroline continues, "Swimming was my special interest, which influenced my choice of colors. The quilt is made with fabrics dyed at home and commercial cottons." Her work is machine pieced, machine appliqued, and machine quilted. The base layer of strips is pieced, and the the upper layer of little strips is shifted slightly to give a zig-zag movement to this intriguing pattern.
Color Explosion by Kathy Kent (Virginia)
Color Explosion received the third place award for pieced quilts in the AccuQuilt Go Challenge at the 2013 AQS Quilt Week in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The requirement for the challenge was that all the pieces had to be cut on an AccuQuilt machine. Kathy has been sewing since she was 11 years old and reports that she has compiled a huge fabric stash. She has used a great collection of light and dark values here to give a sparkling, watercolor wash effect to this eye-catching modern quilt.
Close up, Color Explosion by Kathy Kent
Kathy enthusiastically notes, "I love all of the steps to making a quilt, ......and the best part, hand quilting." She hand quilts all her creations, and this one is beautifully done in a traditional grid pattern.
Charming Chevrons, 46 x 54", by Christa Watson (Nevada)
Christa notes that she loves solid fabrics with lots of machine quilting. She was inspired by "bold and beautiful [Kona cotton] solid charm squares." This was her first attempt at making a modern quilt (in 2012) and she quilted it on an older Bernina. It was exhibited at AQS Quilt Week 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Close up, Charming Chevrons by Christa Watson
These vivid solid colors show an excellent contrast and distinction between the edges of chevrons. A PDF pattern and instructions is for sale in her ChristaQuilts Pattern Store. We recognize this design, created from half-square triangles, as the traditional Amish "Streaks of Lightning" pattern. The newest version of the quilt will be in a brand new colorway and layout designed by Christa.
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2015 World Quilt Show in Florida (Blockade and Who Won in London), the 2014 AQS Quilt Week in Phoenix (Charming Chevrons and Color Explosion) and the 2014 Arizona Quilters Guild show (Intra-Galactic Journey).
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Modern Quilt Month 2015 (part 1)
Fury in the Forest by Monika Hancock, quilted by Debbie Stanton
This great quilt is based on the Tiny Textured Trees project by Carolyn Friedlander, in Modern Baby: Easy, Fun and Fresh Quilt Designs (2013). You can see a photo of the quilt in its original colorway at Carolyn Friedlander's blog.
Close up, Fury in the Forest by Monika Hancock, quilted by Debbie Stanton
Third place winner in the Small Pieced Quilts category, Monika notes, "This is a modern quilt of the forest. The forest is on fire; below the forest ground, life is still flourishing." Debbie Stanton's longarm quilting pattern uses warm hues of thread in flame-like shapes which clearly expresses the theme conveyed by Monika.
Flying Kite Tails, 52 x 60", by Joni Morgan (Danville, Kentucky)
With Flying Kite Tails, Joni Morgan had fun with wonky flying geese and medallion quilting. This quilt was completed at Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Quilt Retreat. We love the "kite tails" that circle the center medallion.
Close up, Flying Kite Tails by Joni Morgan
A variety of fun prints were used to construct the pink, blue, green, orange and yellow rows in the center of the quilt. The gray background provides a neutral backdrop for the colorful composition.
Forbidden Fruit, Wicked Appetite Series # 6 by Sandra Branjord
Sandra says, "This is the sixth quilt in the series going back to Adam and Eve and that first forbidden fruit (apple). Machine piecing, appliue, trapunto, and quilting play out the story. "
Close up, Forbidden Fruit by Sandra Branjord
Here is a great example of Sandra's trapunto work in her original design, as she creates the vines of the Garden of Eden in an eye-catching zebra print.
The serpents are done in bold geometrics, which helps to draw the eye towards them, so that they are not lost among the large, high-contrast circular shapes.
Modern on Westcott by Donna Hilliard, quilted by Jeannie Rogers
Second place winner in the Modern Quilts category at the 2015 Arizona Quilters Guild Show, Donna writes, "I came up with the design. Jeannie came up with fabrics. We wanted something modern and a challenge to quilt." The lime green, black, arctic white, and gray comprise a clear, bright palette that is most refreshing on a hot summer day.
Modern on Westcott by Donna Hilliard, quilted by Jeannie Rogers
This close up shows the wonderful variety of pattens that longarm quilter Jeannie Rogers used on Donna's original design.
Here is another view of the creative quilting motifs used in each panel of this modern quilt.
Rainbow Quilt, 56 x 74", by Grit Kovacs (Germany)
Grit explains, "This quilt was sewn by hand and is made out of 1095 pieces, all from scraps. The pattern is made out of squares and honeycombs. The chosen colors have always been an inspiration to me and so, this time I have made a quilt out of them. So, this has turned out to be my own personal rainbow."
Close up, Rainbow Quilt by Grit Kovacs
Grit continues, "The quilting was all free-hand without any pre-designs, and it is my testimony to my love for free motion-quilting." Look at how nicely all these set-in seams turned out! The workmanship and accuracy are fabulous.
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2015 Arizona Quilters Guild Show (Fury in the Forest, Forbidden Fruit, Modern on Westcott), the 2015 World Quilt Show in Florida (Rainbow Quilt) and the2014 AQS Quilt Week in Phoenix (Flying Kite Tails).
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Free pattern day: Christmas Table Runners!
We're featuring 50 free patterns for table runners, table toppers and place mats. NOTE: This post has been UPDATED. For the latest free patterns, please go to this post: Free Patterns for Christmas Table Runners (CLICK HERE!)
Don't miss our Free Pattern Days for Christmas Quilts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), quilted Christmas Stockings and Christmas Tree Skirts. And please check out our eBay shop for great bargains on quilting items and jewelry!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Free pattern day: Christmas quilts ! (part 3)
We have dozens of FREE patterns for festive, red & green holiday quilts! Note: This post has been UPDATED. For the latest patterns, please go to our Free Patterns for Christmas Quilts (3): CLICK HERE!
p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, books, and collectibles !
Also, for continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !
Image credits: This post was updated on November 17, 2024.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Free pattern day: Christmas part 2: Gifts, Ornaments and Wreaths
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 collectibles ! For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !
Holiday Gala wall hanging, 38 x 43.5", free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Christmas Present quilt, 44 x 57", free pattern at Fabric Editions (CLICK for PDF download)
Nice Package wall quilt, ~22 x 28", free pattern by Michelle Engel Bencsko for Cloud 9 Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Christmas Presents quilt, 42 x 56", free pattern by Marinda Stewart for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Mod Ornaments quilt, 14" x 17", free pattern at Sew Kind of Wonderful (CLICK for PDF download)
Joy to the World quilt, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Twinkle Lights quilt, 58 x 72", free pattern by Ariga Wilson for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Holiday Baubles quilt, 62 x 84", free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Holly Jolly quilt, 72 x 78", free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Christmas Morning quilt, 62 x 73", free pattern by Lisa Ruble for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Merry Bright Christmas Lights quilt, 48 x 56", free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)
Wrapped Up quilt, ~59 x 67", free pattern at Paintbrush Studio (CLICK for PDF download)
Ornament quilt, 58 x 80", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Holiday Homies quilt, 42 x 42", free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Merry Berry Ornamental Quilt, 75 x 85", free pattern by Jennifer Fulton for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Winter Essentials IV quilt, 44 x 48", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Dear Santa Quilt, 64 x 68", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Wrapped Up in You, 42 x 42", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)
Christmas Morning quilt, 64 x 70", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard as seen at Ivory Spring (CLICK for PDF download)
Holiday Surprises quilt, 44 x 50", free pattern by David Walker for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Winter Wishes quilt, 45 x 45", free pattern by Project House 360 for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
All Wrapped Up quilt, ~55 x 66", free pattern by Amy Gibson for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Frosty Flakes quilt, 50 x 50", free pattern by Dana Brooks for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Tis the Season, 48 x 56", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)
Not Even a Mouse, 55 x 69", free pattern by Cary Phillips at Clothworks (CLICK for PDF download)
Peace, Joy and Love by Heidi Pridemore for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Holiday Cheer Quilt, 58 x 59", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard at Ivory Spring (CLICK for PDF download)
Dear Mr. Claus quilt, 58 x 71", free pattern by Cosmo Cricket for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
All Wrapped Up, free quilt pattern by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Candy Cane quilt, free pattern by Marian Gallian for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Holiday Celebrations quilt, 56 x 63", free pattern at Clothworks (CLICK for PDF download)
Wreaths on the Wall quilt, 44" square, free pattern at Paintbrush Studios (CLICK for PDF download)
Bows and Bells quilt, 70 x 82", free pattern by Denise Russell for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Half Yard Wreath Wall Hanging, free pattern by Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download)
Wreath Star mini quilt, 6" or 12", free pattern by Jen Daly for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)
Pear Christmas Wall Hanging, ~44"square, free pattern by Dodi Lee Poulsen (CLICK for PDF download)
Joy mini quilt, 16" square, free pattern by Frieda Anderson for We All Sew (CLICK for PDF templates)
Deer Lovely wall hanging, 31.5 x 31.5", free pattern by Linda Ambrosini for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
Christmas wreath block and quilt, 30 x 34", free pattern at Country Junktion (CLICK for PDF download)
Image credits: Note: this post was updated on November 11, 2024. 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. Some of these are tutorials while others include downloadable (.pdf) patterns; we have tried to note which is which in the titles. We update our links every 6 months as needed; however, websites may change their pages in between updates. If any links are broken we'd love to know; please email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.