Out of the Blue: Outstanding Blue-and-White Quilts

Quilters have long used the color blue to symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. These new and antique blue-and-white quilts revisit the chosen gems that celebrated the 45th anniversary of the International Quilt Festival. 

p.s. Please see our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns and vintage collectibles. For continuous free quilt patterns and blog updates, please visit us on Twitter.

Blue Hawaii, IQF Corporate Collection. 

Blue Hawaii was hand appliquéd and machine quilted. The quilt top was donated to the Texas Quilt Museum in 2015 by Karen K. Buckley. The unknown hand appliquér was clearly an expert in her craft; check out the tiny, even stitches in the closeup photo, below.

The top was quilted by local Houston longarm quilter Ellen Happe Phillips. Echo quilting was selected to complete the quilt in the traditional Hawaiian method.

Early Indigo Trapunto, IQF Corporate Collection. 

This quilt is circa 1876, the 100th Anniversary of the American Independence. It was hand pieced and hand quilted. It is pieced in such a way that it looks more like a woven blanket than a quilt. The intricate hand piecing and outstanding hand quilting shows just what an expert needle artist the maker was. 

 

Carpenter’s Square, IQF Corporate Collection.

The indigo and white Carpenter’s Square is distinguished by an unusual diagonal block. Constructed by hand and machine, the quilt features double-line hand quilting in a windowpane pattern.

Indigo Sunburst, IQF Corporate Collection. 

This quilt block design is known by various names – Sunburst, Sunflower, Compass Rose, Mariner’s Compass, etc. The research shows that this 14-block point is unusual because of the number of points. Indigo Sunburst was hand pieced, hand appliquéd, and hand quilted. 

T-block variation, IQF Corporate Collection. 

This T-block variation is hand pieced, appliquéd, and quilted. The setting for this quilt is “T” blocks with an appliqué border. The appliquéd border is 11 inches wide with four cornerstones; we love the frilly motifs, which soften the angular shapes of the blocks. The appliqué motifs are a combination of a modified tulip or pomegranate with cutouts in the center of two large leaves. 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Free pattern day! Irish Chain quilts

We are pleased to introduce another fabulous Free Pattern Day (we're on a roll!) Irish Chain quilts date to the early 1800s; they are made with squares that create a crisscross design (see our step-by-step Irish Chain Quilt tutorial (CLICK HERE!) We're showing two dozen FREE patterns for single, double, and triple Irish Chain quilts, plus some modern variations on a theme.

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. Please see our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns and vintage collectibles. For continuous free quilt patterns and blog updates, please visit us on Twitter.

Irish Fade quilt, ~76” square, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Waterfall quilt, 98” square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Garden quilt, 72 x 89”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Nara Irish Chain quilt, ~59 x 62”, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Norway quilt, 60” square, free pattern by Edyta Sitar for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Out of the Blue quilt, 80 x 98”, free pattern by Janet Houts for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Chain Charm quilt, 78 x 84”, free pattern by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Clune quilt, ~58” square, free pattern by Max & Louise for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Country Fields quilt - Desertscapes, 54 x 66”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Country Fields quilt – Wishwell, 54 x 66”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Chain of Fools quilt, 74” square, free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Double Irish Chain quilt, 3 sizes, free pattern by Jackie Robinson for Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Simply Blue baby quilt, 31 x 38”, free pattern by Sue Daley for Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Irish Dreams quilt, 78” square, free pattern by Corey Yoder for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download) 

Jewel Box quilt, 52 x 64”, free pattern by Jinny Beyer for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Nostalgia quilt, 68 x 76”, free pattern by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hummingbird quilt, ~72 x 90”, free pattern by Gina Gempesaw for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Star Junction quilt, 54 x 66”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Playtime baby quilt, 41 x 47”, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Postage Stamp Stars quilt, 60 x 72", free pattern by Alexia Abegg for Cotton + Steel (CLICK for PDF download)

Prairie Crossing quilt, 57 x 72”, free pattern by Julie Hendricksen for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Seaside Cottage quilt, 74” square, free pattern by Natalie Crabtree for Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Jacob’s Ladder quilt, 80 x 100", free pattern by AE Nathan (CLICK for PDF download)

City Lights quilt, 50 x 60”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Purple Stars quilt, 68 x 84”, free pattern by Cindy Carter at Carter Quilter (CLICK for PDF download)

X’s and O’s quilt, 69" square, free pattern by Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Daisy Chain – Light quilt, ~73” square, free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Daisy Chain – Dark quilt, ~73” square, free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Also see our Free Quilt Patterns for St. Patrick's Day including shamrocks!:

Image credits: This post was updated on October 9, 2023. 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 montages shown on this page are derivative works that are copyrighted by Quilt Inspiration; please do not copy images without permission. If any links are broken, we'd love to know; email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Free pattern day! Trip Around the World quilts

We are pleased to introduce another Free Pattern Day! Trip Around the World quilts are one-block quilts made with squares. Sunshine and Shadow, for example, is a traditional Amish pattern in which the design is made with small squares of fabric that are arranged by color to form concentric rings.  

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. 

Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns and vintage collectibles. For continuous free quilt patterns and blog updates, please visit us on Twitter.

Vintage View – Mennonite Mosaic quilt, ~80" square, free pattern by Elizabeth Musser Weber for McCalls Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Woven Fragments quilt, 60” square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Soleil quilt, ~60” square, free pattern by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Pick Up Sticks quilt, 60” square, free pattern by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Occasion placemats, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Amplify quilt, 65” square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Beauty Sheen quilt, 74 x 56”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Bullseye quilt, 68” square, free pattern by Ruby Star Society for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Celebration quilt, 78” square, Valori Wells, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Checkmate quilt, 69 x 81", free pattern at Wilmington Prints (CLICK for PDF download)

Classic Large Throw Quilt, 66 x 72", free pattern at Wilmington Prints (CLICK for PDF download)

Diamant Quilt, 75 x 87”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

English Countryside quilt, 60 x 72", free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Flaunt quilt, 85” square, free pattern by Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Flowers from France quilt, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Garden Path quilt, 94” square, free pattern at RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Girlfriends quilt, 52 x 54”, free pattern by Marsha Evans Moore (CLICK for PDF download)

Happy Garden quilt, 82 x 98”, free pattern by Kona Bay Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Let’s Dance quilt, 82 x 92”, free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

May Meadows quilt, 75 x 87”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Nightfall Quilt, 61 x 66”, free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download) 

Pollen and Petals quilt, 74” square, free pattern by Sarah Campbell for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Quietude quilt, 60" square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Rainbow Flight quilt, 66 x 72", free pattern at Wilmington Prints (CLICK for PDF download)

Scrappy Trip quilt, ~58” square, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Spontaneous quilt, 90 x 99”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Sweet Balance quilt, 87 x 99”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Trip Around France quilt or table topper, 39" square, free pattern by Janet Page Kessler for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Trip Around the Rainbow mini quilt, ~16 x 19”, free pattern at McCalls Quilting (CLICK for PDF download) 

Trip around the World baby quilt, 40 x 46", free pattern by Susan Emory for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Trip Around the World quilt, 57" square or 81" square, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Trip Around the World quilt, 80" square, free vintage quilt pattern by RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Tropical Swing quilt, 54 x 68", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Baltimore Square quilt, ~80” square, free pattern by Debra Finan for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Vintage View – Philadelphia Pavement quilt, 86” square, free pattern at McCalls Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

What a Trip quilt, 55” square, free pattern at APQS (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: Note:  This post was updated on September 29, 2024.  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.