The Hopi School Opportunity Quilt: “Saálakmana”

Being in Arizona, we are privileged to experience the beauty of Native American Arts, including the Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo peoples. The Hopiutuqaiki opportunity quilt is a unique fundraiser that supports The Hopi School located in Kykotsmovi, Arizona. Enjoy the beauty and artistry of this stunning piece.

 “Saálakmana” Corn Grinding Girl, 52" x 61”, designed by Ramson Lomatewama and quilted by Linda Visnaw

The design is a contemporary interpretation of a Hopi design.  This story explains the human condition: the top represents life at its fullest, a life we strive for. The bottom tells the story of Hopi's arrival into this world. It was created by Ramson Lomatewama, Hopi, Kwahwungwa from the village of Hotevilla, and quilted by Linda Visnaw, Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

 

A natural abalone shell is used for embellishment, shown above. The attached 3-dimensional butterflies shown below represent male and female energy. 

The beautiful quilting by Linda Visnaw incorporates Hopi designs in the borders and within the stained glass elements. For more information on Saálakmana, and details of the construction, visit the Opportunity Quilt Website.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Quilt Inspiration: Edyta Sitar (+ FREE pattern!)

Edyta Sitar designs innovative quilting patterns for Laundry Basket Quilts and fabric collections for Andover Fabrics. Here are two beautiful quilts inspired by her designs; also scroll down for a FREE pattern!

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

Pennsylvania by Cheryl Martin & Bonna Flake Smith, quilted by B'nae Pulve.  

Based on the published design called Pennsylvania by Edyta Sitar, this was a block-of-the-month mystery quilt pattern.  It's a beautiful pieced flower design pattern with raw edge applique. Cheryl Martin says the quilt brought her out of her comfort zone, but taught her a new skill.  

Flowers in the Ocean by Betty Jordan, quilted by The Quilting Starz.  

Inspired by Spring Sprouts by Laundry Basket Quilts, Betty Jordan explained that they sent fabric each month. She loves how the finished quilt turned out (it's beautiful!).  

Last but not least, here's a FREE pattern by Edyta Sitar including appliqued flowers and leaves:

Berry Patch quilt, 34" square, free pattern by Edyta Sitar for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: Photos of Flowers in the Ocean were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Tucson Quilters Guild show. Photos of Pennsylvania were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Quilt Arizona show.

 

Simple Splendor

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. This famous quote helps explain the appeal of the quilts we're showing today. The effect, achieved by painting and machine quilting, is stunning.

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

Simple Splendor by Sharon Baunagel (Colorado).  

This stunning flower was hand painted on fabric and machine quilted.  It is based on a photo by Giovanni Eduardo Nogaro (from Pixaby, no copyright).  As Sharon Braunagel says, "It is enough to reflect upon the beauty of a single flower." 

Iris Beauty by Teresa Schlabach (Arkansas)  

Iris Beauty is hand painted on silk and machine quilted. Teresa Schlabach says, "This flower grows in my garden and was given to me by a very special friend. I wanted to always look at this beautiful flower, so I painted it to hang in my home. This iris represents not only beauty, but also the strength to make it through hard times and bloom again." Thread painting was used to emphasize the yellow stamen, shown below.

Bugs, Butterfles & Blossoms, Texas Antelope Horn Milkweed by Christine Holden (Florida). 

In this original design, a single Texas milkwood flower has a cluster of florets, depicted with hand painting, machine piecing, embellishment, and quilting. Christine Holden says, "I always wanted to experience the Texas spring wildflower bloom in person.  It was amazing to see and photograph some of the thousands of wildflowers in bloom.  The Texas Antelope Horn Milkweed was new to me, and I was astonished by its colors, size, and the number and assortment of insects attracted to it.  Although it took me years to complete the quilt, I feel it captures the beauty and magic of my experience."

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.

A Garden of Yo-Yos (+ FREE patterns!)

Do you love yo-yos like we love yo-yos?  Here's an award-winning flower garden featuring yo-yos, crocheted flowers, and beaded embellishments.  Also scroll down for three FREE patterns for yo-yo projects!

Hello Garden, made and quilted by Ana Martinez.  

Winner of a Quilt Show Chair's Choice award at the 2026 Tucson Quilt Fiesta, Hello Garden is an original wall quilt by Ana Martinez. The piece was inspired by buttons, yo yos and crochet flower embellishments that resemble a field of flowers. Fused stems and ribbons were appliqued onto a machine pieced and quilted background with hand sewn buttons, beads and ribbons. The ombre patchwork is the perfect backdrop for the flowers!

Yo-yos are portable and scrap-friendly, and create a charming, textured look. There are even plastic yo-yo makers in different sizes that make it easy. Here are three FREE yo yo projects you might enjoy:

Yo Yo wall art featuring Kaffe Fassett fabrics, free pattern at All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

 Yo Yo band pillow, free Coats & Clark pattern at Yarnspirations (CLICK for PDF download)

 Bloom quilt, free pattern by Amy Butler Design (CLICK for PDF download)

 Image credits: Photos of Hello Garden were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Tucson (Arizona) Quilt Fiesta.  NOTE:  Quilt Inspiration is an Amazon Associate, meaning we earn a small commission from purchases arising from a link on this page.  Thank you for your support of Quilt Inspiration!

Colorful Chains

Trip Around the World quilts are traditional Amish patterns in which the design is made with small squares of fabric arranged by color to form concentric rings. Here is a beautiful contemporary quilt from a recent show! Scroll down for more examples and FREE patterns!

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

Colorful Chains by Kathie Miller, quilted by Kim Votava  

Gorgeous taupe and indigo batiks distinguish this Trip Around the World quilt! Kathie Miller notes that everyone loves this traditional pattern, and that it's exciting to try up-to-date stripping techniques to improve the process. "The most difficult part of this quilt was selecting the fabric and coming up with the order!"  

For dozens of free patterns and variations, visit our Free Pattern Day (CLICK HERE!)

 

Image credits: Photos of Colorful Chains were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Tucson (Arizona) Quilters Guild show. 

Colorful Baskets (FREE quilt patterns!)

There's nothing more heartwarming than a basket quilt! Make an adorable table topper with appliquéd baskets on bright white fabric. Or, try an Amish basket quilt with solid colors on a black background.  Scroll down for these and other free patterns!

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

Spring Baskets table topper, ~21" square, free pattern by American Patchwork & Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Amish Baskets quilt, ~44" square, free pattern by American Patchwork & Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

 

For more FREE PATTERNS for basket quilts, CLICK HERE!

  

Happy Easter!

However you celebrate Easter — whether with church, family, friends, or quiet contemplation — we wish you a glorious day!  Thank you to the quilters who inspire us with their creations... like this beautiful patchwork quilt by Becky Tillman Petersen.

Radiant Cross, free quilt pattern by Becky Tillman Petersen at Quilted Twins (CLICK for PDF download) 

 

 

 

Free Pattern Day: Sweets! Cupcakes, Ice Cream & Cake Quilts

Here are free patterns for quilted treats: lollipops, ice cream cones, cakes and cupcakes. They make perfect birthday gifts! 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 jewelry, clothing, and collectibles! For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !      

 Birthday Cake Block, ~12 x 14", free pattern at Bee In My Bonnet (CLICK for PDF download)

Cake block, ~17 x 26", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Sweet Summertime door hanger, free pattern by Carla Henton for Thermoweb (CLICK for tutorial) + (CLICK for PDF template)

Every Day is a Sundae, 10" square, free block pattern by for Thermoweb (CLICK for PDF download)

Gummy Bears quilt, 50 x 60", free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 I Scream quilt block, 12" square, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Party Hat quilt, 30"square or 60" square, free pattern by Ruby Star Society for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Cupcake applique block, free pattern by Jacquelynne Steves (CLICK for description) +  (CLICK for PDF template)

Cupcake block, free pattern by Anne Sutton for Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for description) + (CLICK for PDF download)

 Celebrate Good Times quilt, 65 x 80", free pattern at Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Celebrate Good Times table runner, free pattern at Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ice Cream You Scream quilt, 56 x 69", free pattern by Joanna Marsh for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Sugar Rush quilt, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Popsicle Party quilted table runner, ~11 x 38", free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ice Lollies quilt, 60 x 72", free pattern by Latifah Saafir for Hoffman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Sweet Cakes quilt, 63 x 77", free pattern by Patty Sloniger for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Just Eat Cake quilt, free pattern by Cherry Guidry for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Chocolate Lollipops quilt, 49 x 52", free pattern at Free Spirit Fabric (CLICK for PDF download)

Scoop It Up wall hanging, 32 x 21", free pattern by Sandy Fitzpatrick for Fairfield World (CLICK for PDF download)

Sweet Treats mini quilt at Quilt in a Day (CLICK for PDF download)

Gumdrops quilt, 80" square, free pattern by Konda Luckau for Timeless Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Candy Gram quilt, ~48 x 58", free pattern by Jocelyn Ueng for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Fabric Cupcake Pincushion, free pattern at Pink Simplicity (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits and links:  This post was updated on April 3, 2026. All 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.  If any links are broken, we'd love to know; email us at Quilt Inspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.