Straight Lines that Appear Curved: Storm-at-Sea Quilts!

Storm at Sea quilts use small changes in straight angles to create the optical illusion of curves. We love this pattern!  Here are some wonderfully colorful examples.  Plus, we've included a link to our FREE Pattern Day for Storm-at-Sea Quilts in case you want to create your own masterpiece! 

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Storm at Sea by Carol Carpenter (Arizona), quilted by Kris Neifeld

We love the contrasting color scheme of this wall quilt! Carol Carpenter say, "I've always wanted to make a Storm at Sea pattern, so this John Flynn kit was the size and color theme that interested me.This pattern required precise piecing but the result was worth all the work." 

Sailor's Delight by John Flynn (Montana)

John Flynn designs quilts and kits, and leads quilting workshops.  Here is one of his beautiful, precise Storm at Sea designs, featuring 20 blocks (4 across and 5 down). The expert coloring and shading emphasizes the wavy lines created by the design. Read about his work at Flynn Quilts.

Storm at Sea by Lauren Semple (Texas), quilted by Pam Klein

Here is a paper pieced Storm at Sea quilt with intensely colorful batiks.  Lauren Semple says, "This is a pattern I have always wanted to challenge myself with, and a challenge it proved to be! I changed the light and dark order from the more traditional method.  I designed the border pattern to complement the quilt."

Color Wave by Beth Shutty (Florida)

Beth Shutty says, "I arranged my hand dyed fabric so the color radiates out from the central point.  The placement of white patches creates diagonal waves of color which influenced the quilt's name.  The use of spiral machine quilting added an unexpected third level of movement to the quilt."

Screamer by Jean Firestine (Arizona)

Jean Firestine says, "I decided to make this block (Storm at Sea) having very little paper piecing experience.  Needless to say, it took about 3 tries to get it right." (Hence the title: "Screamer".) Fun fabrics in desert-y hues can be seen throughout this quilt.

"The bad blocks are on the back, and are a reminder that there's usually a good reason for following directions. However, no promise to follow directions, I'm an artist and it's ok to think outside the box." We love this clever use of "bad" blocks (waste not, want not!)

For FREE quilt patterns and coloring diagrams (so you can plan your own), check out our Free Pattern Day for Storm-at-Sea quilts (CLICK HERE!)  

Image credits: Original quilt photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters guild show (Screamer by Jean Firestine); the 2020 Arizona Quilters Guild show (Storm at Sea by Carol Carpenter); the 2015 World Quilt Show Florida VI  (Color Wave by Beth Shutty); and the 2013 Houston International Quilt Festival (Storm at Sea by John Flynn & Storm at Sea by Lauren Semple).