Glorious Scrap Quilts (SO much inspiration!)

One of the joys of quilting is using up leftover scraps. We're always looking for new and creative ideas!  Here are 4 gorgeous quilts made entirely from scraps. And for more inspiration, please see our Free Patterns for Scrap Quilts (>PART 1 and >PART 2).

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Make Lemonade, made and quilted by Katherine Kenward  

This is an original quilt by Katherine Kenward. Each block is monochromatic, but she arranged the blocks in a unique design and set them on point.  She says:  "I love using scraps, my own and those given to me. Scraps are like wonderful sweet lemons which by themselves may not be useful but when combined make sweet lemonade."

 Strips Leftover by Becky Ruhl, quilted by Barbara Angerhofer  

Here is a really lovely string quilt. Becky Ruhl created lots of contrast by using fabrics ranging from very light to dark, with plenty of bright colors.  She says, "This quilt was made as a challenge to my stash organization.  I cut up many smaller fabrics into cuts that can be used for other projects. This quilt is made from the 1-1/2" strips resulting in the process.  I'm very happy with the result."

 

Breeze by Kathie Miller, quilted by Tawnya Freeman

 

Gorgeous complementary colors distinguish this batik quilt, which is made from strips of different widths. The quilt was a collaboration between Tawnya Freeman at Quilters' Market and Kathie Miller.  Kathie says: "I got the fun part of stitching, forming blocks and determining the layout. Tawnya worked her quilting magic and the result is amazing." Kathie added the black-and-white striped inner border, adding tremendous interest to the design. The quilt was based on the pattern called Breeze by Claudia Pfeil. 

 

Bushel Basket, made and quilted by Marcia Jacobson  

Marcia Jacobson made this wonderful large quilt totally from scraps. She estimates that it used 7 yards of scraps (WOW!)  "It was fun to see what pretty blocks emerged from these random scraps of fabric!"  The quilt was based on the Bushel Basket pattern by Edyta Sitar in Scrappy Firework Quilts.  There are so many fun cotton prints to see throughout this quilt.

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show. NOTE:  Quilt Inspiration is an Amazon Associate, meaning that Amazon pays us a small commission if you purchase something from a link on this page.  There is no extra charge to you. Thank you for your support of Quilt Inspiration!

Optical Illusions: Arabesque!

Purple lovers, unite! This beautiful medallion quilt was made with foundation paper piecing. Asymmetrial diamonds create a spiral, going from small to larger blocks as they radiate from the center. Read on for details, and a link to FREE patterns for optical illusion quilts!

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Amethyst Spiral, made and quilted by Karen Gieske 

Purple is my favorite color and I just love a good spiral.  Paper pieced.  Machine quilted, hand guided.  Published design: Arabesque by Orange Dot quilts (CLICK HERE!) 

Here is the original Arabesque design in beautiful blues from Orange Dot Quilts. A "Color Me page comes with the pattern so you can create your own design and color combination. 

And last but not least: For FREE patterns for optical illusion quilts, CLICK HERE! 

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

Alaska Magic

Here's a gorgeous Alaska Magic quilt made with a fascinating combination of stars, plaids, florals and berry prints. We love the soft purples, muted blues, and warm yellows and oranges. Cindi Huff did a beautiful job with the piecing and machine quilting!

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Alaska Magic, made and quilted by Cindi Huff 

Winner of Honorable Mention for this quilt, Cindi Huff says, "I have dragged my husband in and out of quilt shops all over the US and had never seen him excited about a quilt pattern until he saw this hanging in a quilt shop in Oregon, so here it is!" 

NOTE: The Alaska Magic quilt pattern by Edyta Sitar is available [as of this writing] at Laundry Basket Quilts (CLICK HERE!) There is also a Rainbow version of this design, shown below... find the pattern [as of this writing] at Laundry Basket Quilts!

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2024 Tucson, Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Shock Wave

Colorful shapes zig zag around this dynamic quilt! Linda Engstrom included so many fun prints, including the black and white background fabrics and the bright warm hues. We spotted some Kaffe Fassett classics in some of the blocks.

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Shock Wave by Linda Engstrom, quilted by Jessica Dickinson.  

This colorful quilt is based in a published design, titled Fracture, which can be found in the book titled Making Quilts with Kathy Doughty.  Linda Engstrom says, "Playing with color and fabric pattern provided the inspiration for using this dynamic design." This design offers nearly infinite possibilities!

 Here's the original Fractured design by Kathy Doughty:

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

Celebrate your town with a group quilt!

How about getting members of your quilt group to make blocks depicting buildings around your town? That's what members of the Hayward, Wisconsin quilt group did. This clever quilt includes churches, houses, restaurants, and even a bird house! The teal-colored sashing brings everything together.

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Buildings Around Hayward, WI by Paula Fulton and the Hayward, Wisconsin Quilt Guild 

What a great way to celebrate your town! Guild members were given teal and flowered backing fabric to create a quilted block around Hayward, Wisonsin.  Quilt show attendees voted and the "winner" got to assemble and finish the quilt using the quilt-as-you-go method.  

Each of the blocks has fun details, including flower beds, trees, and pets.  Check out the heart-shaped smoke coming out of the chimney below!

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

Indigo Quilt (FREE pattern!)

Have you ever made a stained glass quilt?  It's a wonderful way to use a fabric stash!  Here's a beautiful quilt design from Makower.  Scroll down to download the Indigo Quilt pattern, and to see MORE free stained glass quilt patterns!

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Indigo quilt, 66" square, free pattern by Makower UK (CLICK for PDF download) 

 For 30 more FREE patterns for stained glass quilts, CLICK HERE!

 

Stars Above!

What a beautiful example of curved piecing!  The Dresden fan blocks are done in purple solids, but the stars were made in a variety of black-and-white prints, adding extra sparkle to this dynamic quilt.

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Stars Above by Michonne Dietrich, quilted by Lilo Whitener-Fey.  

This gorgeous quilt is based on the  Stars Above quilt pattern by designer Megan Collins.  Michonne Dietrich says, "I love curves in quilting and I wanted to make a quilt for a special friend who helped our family...  She loves purple and is classy, I'm hoping I hit the mark."

 For more Dresden Plate quilt inspiration, please visit our Free Pattern Day (CLICK HERE!)

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

Free pattern day! Basket Quilts

Made with colorful prints, or filled with flowers or fruit, basket quilts are perfect for any time of the year ! Here are more than 30 free patterns. To go to a pattern: Scroll down the page until you see the quilt you like, then click on the words "PDF download" (or the hyperlinked website name) in the title above the quilt.

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Baker’s Dozen quilt, 57” square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Dream Garden quilt, 40 x 40", free pattern by Elly Sienkiewicz for Robert Kaufman (CLICK for PDF download) 

A Gathering of Blossoms, 50 x 50", free pattern by Marinda Stewart (CLICK for PDF download)

Chinoiserie Garden quilt, ~70 x 80", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Baskets of Flowers quilt, 60" square, free pattern by Marsha Moore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Four All Seasons - Summer, 71 x 92", free pattern by Jean Ann Wright for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pretty Baskets quilt, 49" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Spring Quartet quilt, 42" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Baskets of Fun, 57 x 68", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Berry Nice Baskets quilt, 54 x 67", free pattern by Cyndi Hershey for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Prairie Lane quilt, 65 x 78", free pattern by Denise Russell for Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Flower Basket quilt, ~74 x 88", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Baskets of Nantucket quilt, ~44 x 44", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Baskets of Scraps quilt, 46 x 66", free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Spring Baskets Wall Quilt, 20" square, free pattern at Fabric Editions (CLICK for PDF download)

Basket full of Posies, 13.5 x 13.5", free pattern by Jina Barney for Quiltmaker (CLICK for PDF download)

Summer Garden Basket quilt, 25 x 21", free pattern by Pat Thompson for AQS (CLICK for PDF download)

Bella's Blooms quilt, 43"square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Liberty Blooms quilt, 43" square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Basket of Charms quilt, 76 x 72", free pattern by Judy Hansen for Fabri Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Baby Basket quilt, 14 x 14”, free pattern by Anita Shackelford for American Quilter (CLICK for PDF download)

Scrap Baskets quilt, 28 x 28”, free paper piecing pattern by Carol Doak (CLICK for PDF download) 

Basket of Flowers, 38.5 x 36.5", free pattern by Nanette Holmberg for American Quilter (CLICK for PDF download) 

Savannah Garden table runner, 33" x 60", free pattern by Mary Ellen Von Holt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Savannah Garden quilt, ~77 x 90", free pattern by Mary Ellen Von Holt for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Biscuits and Jam mini quilt, ~13" square, free pattern by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 A Tisket, A Tasket, 68 x 77", free pattern by Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Coryn's Flower Baskets, 45 x 54", free pattern by Lisa DeBee Schiller for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Baltimore Blues quilt, 60 x 70", free pattern by Barbara Brackman for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Bitty Basket block, 4" square, free pattern at Quiltmaker (CLICK for PDF download)

Cactus Flower quilt, 65 x 65", free pattern by Alex Anderson for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Ranunculus Baskets quilt, 89 x 114”, free pattern by In The Beginning Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Bloomin Basket panel quilt, 55 x 75", free pattern by Gail Kessler for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Megan’s Blue Baskets quilt, 68 x 68”, design by Candy Hargrove for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

A Basket Full of Posies, 100 x 100", free pattern by George and Linda Wheeler for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Sending my Love, 74 x 74”, free pattern by Marie Cole for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

American Retro c. 1945, 45 x 45”, by Erin Witt for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Cherry Fizz quilt, 56" square, free pattern by by Cate Tallman-Evans for Henry Glass Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Basket Bouquet quilt, 61" square, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Robert Kaufman (CLICK for PDF download) 

Playdate at the Park, 55" square, free pattern by Erin Witt Designs for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Vintage Delight Basket Quilt, 53 x 65", free pattern by Elizabeth Scott for Lecien (CLICK for PDF download)

Mary Rose Antique Pattern, 46” square, free pattern by Gerri Robinson for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Luna Notte quilt, 83 x 83”, free pattern by Three Sisters for Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Chocolate Baskets quilt, 42 x 51", free pattern by Jill Reid for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Blossom Lane quilt, 57” square, free pattern by Gail Kessler for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Evening Rose quilt, 78.5” square, free pattern by Betty New for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download) 

Baskets of Love quilt, 54” square, free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download) 

Grow Up mini quilt, 24 x 24", free pattern by Nancy Rink as seen at Auribuzz (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: This post was updated on January 20, 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 quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.