The CIRCLES quilt challenge (1)

We love quilt challenges!  One of the best we've seen recently was the national CIRCLES challenge, which has been traveling the country. Initiated by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the challenge was to create an original piece (up to 20") using the provided yellow and blue fabric cut into circles. There were so many creative entries. Which are your favorites?

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In Tandem by Kathie Eubank (Urbandale, IA)

Whimsical and artistic come to mind when viewing this portrait quilt.  Kathi Eubank says that In Tandem reflects the right brain/left brain dichotomy. As she explains, the right side seeks creativity and is free-spirited.  The left side represents logic,and searches for precision and accuracy.  Both sides must work in tandem when judging quilts to evaluate design versus workmanship."

Is 62 Enough by Linda McCuean (New Galilee, PA)

This dynamic piece gives off great vibes! Linda McCuean says, "I had to think awhile to come up with a little quilt that screamed "circles"!  Designed from the center out, I just kept adding more circles until it told me "enough".

Phases by Mary Zesiger (Chandlersville, OH)

This simple yet elegant piece highlights the circle shapes against the black-and-white half-square triangles. The various prints add further interest. Rhis piece was well designed and well made.

Total Eclipse by Karen Kendo (Harleyville, SC)

Karen Kendo says, "My inspiration came from the solar eclipse that occurred on April 8 of 2024, along with the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler.  I struggled with the design layout until I saw a meme on social media that illustrated the interaction of the sun and moon during a solar eclipse with Oreo cookies!" As shown below, embroidered flames emanate from the heart at the center of this quilt.

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Arizona show.

 

Star Garden Quilt

Spring is here, and it's time to enjoy the longer days and emerging flowers.  Here's a gorgeous quilt that brings the season to life, all year round.  Can you find the birds, bunny, and butterflies?

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Nana's Star Garden by Susan Foster, quilted by Jessica Jones. 

Based on a published design (Star Garden by Minick and Simpson, previously published in Quiltmania magazine,) Nana's Star Garden plan included a larger design area for a free flowing natural garden. Susan Foster says, "I used some of the basic design elements, but added a strawberry thief bird, a variety of flowers, cherries, etc.  She also added broderie perse butterflies, "as no pretty flower garden is complete without them."

Here are a few closeup photos showing Jessica Jones' beautiful flower and feather quilting, which lends the finishing touch to this beautifully made quilt.

 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Arizona Quilters Guild show.  This quilt won a red ribbon (second place) in the Applique-Solo category.

Free Pattern Day! Easter & Spring Quilts

Here 30 free patterns for Easter quilts. It might be time to whip up an Easter bunny, egg, carrot or tulip to celebrate the season! 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 collectible items! For more free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter ! 

Easter Egg Table Runner, free tutorial at We All Sew (CLICK for tutorial) 

Happy Spring wall hanging, free pattern by Marie Duncan for Make It Coats (CLICK for PDF download)

Bonita Bunny mug rug or mini quilt, 6" to 10", free pattern by Rose Johnston at Threadbare Creations (CLICK for PDF download)

Patchwork Peter Rabbit wall hanging, 18 x 20", tutorial and pattern by The Crafty Quilter (click for PDF download) 

Bunny Crunch mini quilt, free pattern by Sandra Dennison at Gray Barn Designs (CLICK for free PDF download)

Quilted Carrot Runner, free pattern at American Patchwork and Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Easter Egg Table Runner, free pattern at Make It Coats (CLICK for PDF download)

Easter Egg placemats, free pattern at Make It Coats (CLICK for PDF download)

Baby Bunnies Wall Hanging, free pattern by Cheryl Fall (CLICK for PDF download)

Rabbit mini quilt or mug rug, 10" square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Petal Pusher Spring Table Runner, free pattern at All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Bunny Quartet mini quilt, free pattern by Kristina Brinkerhoff for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

Bunny Applique mini quilt, 12 x 14", free pattern by Jennifer Heynen (CLICK for tutorial) 

Bunny wall hanging, free pattern by Wendy Gratz at Shiny Happy World (click for PDF download) 

Scrappy Carrots mini quilt, free paper pieced pattern by Leila Gardunia for Diary of a Quilter (CLICK for PDF download)

Bunny Hop mini quilt, 17 x 17", free pattern at Quilters Newsletter (CLICK for PDF download)

Rabbit Dance quilt, free pattern and tutorial by Terry White for Havel's Sewing (click for PDF download)

Hoppy Easter mini quilt, free pattern at Attic Window Quilt Shop (CLICK for tutorial) + (CLICK for templates)

Spring Jubilee Easter Quilt, 45" square, free pattern by Denise Russell for Blank Quilting (click for PDF download)

Bunny Patch quilt, 38 x 46", free pattern by Vicki Bellino and Anne Sutton for All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip Time wall quilt,  free tutorial at Inspired by Fabric (click for tutorial)

Bunny Peeps paper pieced block, free pattern by Jennifer Ofenstein at Sew Hooked (CLICK for PDF download)

Barn Babies Quilt, 50 x 56", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Dainty Darling quilt, 74 x 74", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip Paths quilt, 81 x 93", free pattern at RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Amsterdam quilt, 38 x 52", free pattern at Cloud 9 Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flora quilt, ~60 x 74", free pattern by Stacey Day for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Bunnies and Baskets quilt, 69 x 83", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Spring Fling quilt, ~47 x 57”, free pattern by Darlene Christopherson for Pellon Projects (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip quilt, ~72 x 84", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Oh So Bright quilt, 42 x 54", free pattern by Jina Barney for Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Tulip Wreath quilt, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download) 

Carrot Patch quilt, 52 x 63", by Stacey Day for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Dancing Eggs quilt, ~50 x 62", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Woven Fabric Easter Basket, free pattern at Make It Coats (CLICK for PDF download)

Simple Spring table runner or placemats, free pattern by Natalia Bonner for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

Crosses quilt, 46 x 66", free pattern by Stephanie Sheridan for Windham Fabrics (click for PDF download)

At The Cross quilt, 57 x 67", free pattern by Stephanie Sheridan for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Faith Crosses quilt, 36 x 28”, free pattern at Windham Fabrics (click for PDF download)

Image credits:  Note: This post was updated on March 26, 2025. 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 images shown on this page are derivative works that are the property of Quilt Inspiration; please do not copy them without permission. If any links are broken, we'd love to know; email us at Quilt Inspiration.