English Paper Piecing: Asterisms

English paper piecing (EPP) involves stabilizing fabric pieces with paper templates before sewing them into intricate designs (for more about EPP, click HERE.)  It is often used for shapes that require numerous set-in corners, such as hexagons, pentagons, and kites. Because EPP is done by hand, it makes a great on-the-go project. Here's a beautiful example from a recent show.

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BFF by Kathi Shunn & Leslie Guyton, quilted by B'nae Pulve 

Based on the Asterisms quilt pattern by Sami Casanova for Darty Kite Pattern Co., this quilt was entirely English Paper Pieced by hand using a Heather Bailey fabric line called Local Honey.  Kathi Shunn says, "I pieced all the blocks and my BFF Leslie [Guyton] offered to finish it for me when it lingered in the UFO pile too long."

These gorgeous large floral prints, shown below, make fantastic kaleidoscope effects.  Check out Heather Bailey's fabrics HERE, and Darty Kite Pattern Company HERE.

 

 Image credits: Photos of BFF were taken at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Free pattern day! Mother's Day quilts

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  We're showing some fabulous FREE patterns for wall quilts, mug rugs, fabric cards, and fabric flowers! Download your favorite patterns today!  

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" in the title above the quilt.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Mother’s Day mug rug, free tutorial by Mack and Mabel (CLICK for PDF download)

Stitched Flower card for Mom, free tutorial at Crafts Beautiful (CLICK for tutorial) 

DIY Mother’s Day card, free tutorial at Sew Can She (CLICK For tutorial) 

 Fabric Bookmarks for Mother’s Day, free tutorial at Fiskars (CLICK for tutorial) 

Fabric Flowers, free pattern by Robin Rivera at Ink and Arrow (CLICK for PDF download)

Spring Tulips from fabric, free pattern at Yarnspirations (CLICK for PDF download)

Fabric tulips tutorial at Thermoweb (CLICK for tutorial) 

A Rose by Any Other Name, 40 x 59”, free pattern by Marinda Stewart for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Radiance Bloom mini quilt, ~12 x 17”, free pattern by Robin Pickens (CLICK for PDF download)  

Coiffure quilt, 60 x 64”, free pattern by Casey York for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Daydreamer quilt, ~56 x 76”, free pattern at Tilda’s World (CLICK for PDF download) 

Bloomin Bowl – A Mother’s Day Bouquet, 37 x 17”, free pattern by Denise M. Russart at Just Quiltin (CLICK for PDF download) 

A Fashionista Studio quilt, 42 x 57”, free pattern at Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Boudoir dress quilt, 36 x 40”, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Hats Off quilt, 48” square, free pattern at Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Kaffe Fassett Hat Box quilt, free tutorial at We All Sew (CLICK for tutorial)

Amani quilt block (or mug rug), 9” square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Ayumi quilt, 75” square, free pattern by Stacey Day for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download) 

Bokashi Blossoms wall quilt, 40 x 55”, free pattern at Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

City Blooms quilt, 50” x 62", free pattern at RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF instructions) + (CLICK for PDF templates)

Daisy Daydream quilt, 50 x 62", free pattern at RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF instructions) + (CLICK for PDF templates)

Flower wall hanging, 24 x 38", free pattern by Marie Duncan for Yarnspirations (CLICK for PDF download) 

Fridge Art wall quilt, 50” square, free pattern at Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Frosty Carnations quilt or table topper, 33” square, free pattern at Quilters World (CLICK for PDF download) 

Rosette Rows quilt, 53 x 62”, free pattern at RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Souvenir quilt, ~26 x 36”, free pattern by Karen Cunagin for Hoffman California Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Flowerpot Quilt, ~ 60 x 74”, and Pillow, free patterns at Tilda’s World (CLICK for PDF for QUILT) + (CLICK for PDF for PILLOW)

Flowertopia, 39 x 50", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Roses wall quilt, 44” square, free pattern by Cathy Wiggins for AQS (CLICK for PDF download) 

 Windflowers quilt, 89 x 84”, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: Individual images and videos 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.

Floral Album Quilts: Celebrating the Garden!

Album quilts, which show a variety of blocks, are on almost everyone's list of favorite quilt patterns.  They provide great visual interest and are often a valuable source of inspiration for your next project. Perfect for spring, here are some floral album quilts we admired at a recent show!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on jewelry, patterns, and collectibles ! For continuous free quilt patterns, please follow us on Twitter !    

90th Birthday Quilt, made and quilted by Robin Walton

This quilt is gorgeous done in soft hues and batik fabrics! Winner of an award for her hand quilting, Robin Walton says: "The quilt was made for my mother-in-law in her favorite colors: blue and white. Her many trips to Japan inspired me to use blocks published by Susan Briscoe [from the book, "Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match" by Susan Briscoe (2007).]  We admire Robin Walton's beautiful hand quilting as seen in the block below.

 Color Play with Circles, made and quilted by Janet Rupp  

This spectacular quilt has beautiful wool applique blocks in a profusion of colors! Winner of an award for Exemplary Machine Applique, this quilt was inspired by Ericka Kaprow's book titled Everything's Blooming: 30 Floral Wool Applique Quilt Blocks.  Placing them on an off-white print allows the applique work to stand out. Check out the embroidery work which adds a lovely finishing touch.

Wild Artichokes by Christine Nelson, quilted by Barbara Logullo  

These blocks are perfectly proportioned.  The olive green hues remind us of a Renaissance work of art! This pieced and appliqued design is based on a pattern by Vicki Stratton called Wild Artichokes.

The quilter had fun using her creativity in quilting this piece: It's hard to see in photos, but the green quilted areas include dragonflies, beetles, spiders, bees, butterflies, flowers and other motifs!

 Circle of Posies On Point, made and quilted by Karen Kelter

Wreaths, tulips, hearts, and green leaves make up a garden of blocks. Karen Kelter says that these blocks were an option in a BOM program, circa 2007, at the Quilt Basket [a local shop].  "It was my first attempt at machine applique.  It took a while to choose a palette in which to present them.  It is so gratifying to get them out of my UFO pile." Here's a lovely block featuring a basket of red tulips:

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson (Arizona) Quilters Guild show. 

Beautiful Bargellos

Here are some beautiful Bargello quilts to brighten your day and spark your imagination. The bargello technique can be used to showcase prints, solids, or ombre fabrics, or simply to use up a stash.We hope you enjoy our photos!  (Also, scroll down for the link to dozens of free bargello patterns.)

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on jewelry, patterns, and collectibles ! For continuous free quilt patterns, please follow us on Twitter !    

Night Sky, made by Kris Neifeld & Susie Weaver, quilted by Kris Neifeld

This gorgeous quilt is based on the two-fabric bargello pattern by Susie Weaver. Kris Neifeld says this quilt, made with a dotted ombre fabric, "ended up working out better than I'd hoped." We love it... The dots create the appearance of stars!

Opposing Views, made and quilted by Amy Fitzgerald 

Amy Fitzgerald says, "My husband picked this pattern and helped choose the fabrics. I had never done a Bargello quilt-as-you-go pattern before, and it was very challenging to keep the columns straight and points lined up.  I turned the quilt upside down from the pattern picture."  Opposing Views was based on the published design called Free Fall by Ann Lauer of Grizzly Gulch Gallery. 

A Little Bit of This and That, made and quilted by Joyce Harrison

This lovely wall quilt or table runner uses original 1" squares in a 7x21 grid pattern.  Joyce Harrison says that she mused, "What to do with 1" squares? Lots of ideas. This is a small attempt to use up my stash. [My] summer time plan seemed to turn out well... I'm happy with it. Thank you to my seam ripper too." We love Joyce's original quilting, shown in the closeup photo below.

Double Rainbow by Susie Weaver, quilted by Kris Neifeld.  

Susie Weaver's original pattern, Pattern Two Fab 2.0, was the basis for this stunning quilt with its gently curving waves of color.  Susie says, "Using strip sets from this bargello project as class demos was taking way too long... I finally decided it was time to get 'er done and I'm glad I did."

Note: For more bargello quilt inspiration, please check out our Free Pattern Day for Bargello Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

 

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Arizona show (Opposing Views); the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild Show (Double Rainbow and Night Sky); and the Tucson Quilters Guild 2024 show (A Little Bit of This and That.)