Kaffe Fassett Quilts

A luminary in the world of textiles and quilting, Kaffe Fassett has inspired quiltmakers all over the world to work with color in an instinctive way.  Here are colorful quilts that feature Kaffe Fassett collective fabrics, along with some of the original quilts from his bestselling books.  Also, scroll down for the free Autumn Triangles Quilt pattern by Liza Prior Lucy and Kaffe Fassett.

Thanks, Again by Sheila Arnold (Arizona Quilters' Guild, 2015)

Sheila Arnold says, "Kaffe Fassett fabrics and a solid grey negative space bring a traditional hexagon block into the modern genre." This quilt was based on the Science Fair pattern by Julie Herman at Jaybird Quilts.  We like the way the hexagons create an asymmetrical zig-zag border.

We enjoyed the various feather and swirl quilting designs within the hexagons.  The quilt was presented to Patricia Benner, the outgoing president of the Arizona Quilters' Guild.

Targets, 59 x 78",by Jaime Watson (River City Quilters' Guild, 2014)

This brightly colored quilt was based on the "Right on Target" quilt pattern from Kaffe Fassett's Country Garden Quilts. Jaime Watson says, "I had the Targets fabric but couldn't figure out what to do with it until I saw Kaffe Fassett's design.  He saved me!"

This easy pattern alternates log cabin blocks with squares done in the focus fabric. Jaime Watson even used the focus fabric within some of the blocks, creating a see-through effect! 

Long Diamonds Quilt by Kaffe Fassett, Liza Prior Lucy, Sally Davis and Judy Stockler, quilted by Judy Irish

This easy half-rectangle quilt is a great way to feature striped fabrics. The pattern for Long Diamonds is in Kaffe Fassett Quilts: Shots and Stripes.

Prismatic Blooms, 59 x 81", by Jill Orr (Diablo Valley Quilters' Guild)

Jill Orr says, "I loved the design of this [bordered diamonds] quilt in Kaffe's Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts book.  It came together very quickly which helped me keep busy as I was waiting for fabric to come in the mail to finish another quilt!"

Jill Orr used a whole variety of large and small floral print fabrics with an emphasis on pastel hues.  The finished quilt top was free-motion quilted with a spiral design.

Fireworks at the East River, 60 x 54", by Fumiko Tanabe (Japan)

This quilt was exhibited at the 2015 World Quilt show in Florida. Fumiko Tanabe says that the inspiration for her original design came from watching the July 4th fireworks.  The unusual Kaffe Fassett border fabric really enlivens this quilt.  From a distance it looks like feathers, but upon closer inspection, we see that it is a Chard fabric from Kaffe's 2012 collection in the Autumn colorway.  As of this writing, you can find the fabric at Hannah's Quilts.

close up, Fireworks at the East River by Fumiko Tanabe

Fumiko constructed the New York Beauty blocks in a variety of polka dots and floral fabrics to express the bright colors of fireworks in the night sky.

Lady of the Lake quilt by Liza Prior Lucy and Kaffe Fassett

The Lady of the Lake quilt, made in 9 different muted hues of shot cottons, is one of the most popular designs in Kaffe Fassett Quilts: Shots and Stripes. The white half-square triangles make up the sawtooth design. The blocks are separated by a neutral gray sashing with half-square-triangle cornerstones.

On Point Handkerchief Corners quilt, 85 x 85", by Liza Prior Lucy and Kaffe Fassett

Two sizes of blocks create an interesting graphic design in this handkerchief corners quilt, which was featured in Kaffe Fassett Quilts: Shots and Stripes.  Since the stripes provide plenty of pattern, the blocks were simply quilted in the ditch.  In constructing these half-square-triangle blocks, it is necessary to line up the stripes on the diagonal.

Autumn Triangles Quilt, 72 x 84", a free pattern by Liza Prior Lucy and Kaffe Fassett at Westminster Fabrics (PDF download)

Image credits:  Original photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration. The Kaffe Fassett quilts were photographed in the Where Have All The Flowers Gone exhibit at the 2013 Houston International Quilt Festival.