Z is for Zinnia, C is for Cosmos

Kathie Kerler is a quilter and hand embroiderer. While she creates abstract quilts and still ventures into traditional work, her niche is representational art quilts. Kathie says that her goal in creating Z is for Zinnia was to give the viewer the feeling of gazing into a lush garden. 

Z is for Zinnia, C is for Cosmos, 31.5″ x 41.5″, by Kathie Kerler (Portland, Oregon)  

As someone who began her fiber art practice with hand embroidery and a particular love of crewel work, Kathie Kerler gravitated to appliqué as her primary construction technique. She says, "This quilt brought together my skills and knowledge, beginning with the design of sylized flowers that I brought to life with hand embroidery, hand-twisted cords, and machine quilting." 

The beautiful hand embroidery adds an extra dimension and texture to the whole design. 

In addition to creating fiber art, Kathie Kerler has been judging quilts and wearables nationally since 2002 and she is certified through the National Association of Certified Judges (NACQJ). Please visit KathieKerler.com to see more of her beautiful work.

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

Pixel THIS: FREE Patterns!

Pixel patterns are popping up everywhere! Tilda's World is offering 10 gorgeous FREE pillow patterns in different colors. Also check out our Free Pattern Day for Pixel quilts (CLICK HERE)!

For more FREE quilt patterns, follow us on X/Twitter!  Also check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on jewelry, clothing, and collectibles.  

Garden Rose Embroidery Pillow (Teal), free pattern at Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download; also see the Charcoal, Lupine, Mustard, and Peacock variations!)

Wild Rose Embroidery Pillow (Plum), free pattern at Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download; also see the Dark Granite, Rust, Moss, and Cerise variations!)

 For two dozen FREE Pixel Quilt patterns, check out our Free Pattern Day (CLICK HERE!)

 

 

Free pattern day: Baby quilts! (part 2)

Here are the best FREE PATTERNS for baby and toddler quilts! This is Part 2 of our series (also see Part 1 and Part 3!). 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. 

Also check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on jewelry, clothing, and collectibles!
For more free patterns, please follow us on Twitter!

Game Night, 50 x 60", free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Playtime quilt, 40" square, free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Grogu (Baby Yoda) quilt by Cole Whitaker at Cole's Quilts (CLICK for PDF download)

ABC quilt, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Zig Zagging quilt, 64" square, free pattern by Natalie Crabtree for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Love to Dance quilt, 50" square, free pattern by Carol Swift for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Big Hearted Quilt, ~29 x 30", tutorial by Robin Nelson at Craft Sisters for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

Panda-monium mini quilt, ~19 x 20”, free pattern at Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download) (see the version at Owen's Olivia)

Fresh Faces quilt, 36 x 48", free pattern by LJ Simon for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Just Keep Swimming quilt, free pattern by Jen Daly for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

Adore You baby quilt, free pattern at Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download)

Pixel Heart quilt, 30" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Unicorn quilt, reverse applique, free pattern and tutorial at We All Sew (CLICK for tutorial)+(CLICK for PDF templates)

Hedge Hugs quilt, 61 x 68", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 Sparkles quilt, 42 x 49", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Mickey Mouse silhouette quilt, 30 x 40", free pattern at Camelot Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pirouette quilt, 43 x 43", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Bluebonnet Breeze quilt, 46" square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Royal Critters quilt, 43 x 43", free pattern by Bethany Fuller for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Babe in the Woods quilt, 42 x 50", free pattern at Maywood Studio (CLICK for PDF download)

Get the Party Started, ~50 x 60", free pattern by Casey York for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Petals quilt, 40 x 55” , free pattern by Marinda Stewart for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Oopsie Daisy quilt, ~45 x 45”, free pattern by Erin Russek for McCall’s Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

  Penny’s Garden quilt, 50 x 57”, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Baby Birds quilt, 48 x 48”, free pattern at Studio E Fabrics, including bird templates: (CLICK for PDF - pink version  and CLICK for PDF -blue version)

Hugs and Kisses quilt, 41 x 52”, free pattern by Sue Pickering for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Trip Around the World quilt, 40 x 46",  free pattern (pink) by Susan Emory for Michael Miller (CLICK for PDF download)

Trip Around the World quilt, 40 x 46", free pattern (blue) by Susan Emory for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Off to the Races quilt, 54 x 54”, free pattern by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Tea Party quilt, 49 x 49”, free pattern by Jina Barney for Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Spin Me Round quilt, 46 x 46", free pattern at Mod Kid Boutique (CLICK for PDF download)

Picnic Pals quilt, 40 x 40", designed by Alyssa Thomas for Clothworks (CLICK for PDF download)

Up, Up and Away quilt, 38 x 44", free pattern by Diane Harris at Quiltmaker (CLICK for PDF download)

Rocket Quilt, ~42 x 56", free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

IMAGE CREDIT:  This post was updated on April 17, 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.  Some of these are tutorials while others include downloadable (.pdf) patterns; we have tried to note which is which in the titles.  We update our links every 6 months as needed; however, websites may change their pages in between updates.  If any link is broken, we'd love to know so we can fix it; email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Spring is Magical: FREE pattern!

Enough of all the cold weather...bring on the sunshine! It's time for some warmth, flowers, and hummingbirds. Here is a sweet mini quilt by Carol Swift for Thermoweb.

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!    

Spring is Magical, 12" x 14", free pattern by Carol Swift (CLICK for tutorial) + (CLICK for PDF download) 

Spring is Magical would make an adorable pillow, placemat, or a wall hanging for hummingbird lovers. It would also make a beautiful motif within a larger quilt. The tutorial has applique templates, plus instructions for fusible web, spray basting, and machine finishing of the appliqued edges! 

 

Image credits: photos are the property of Carol Swift for Thermoweb.  Please respect any restrictions the designer has placed on the use and distribution of this pattern; details can be found in the links provided herein. 

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.

Highlights of Quilt Arizona! (4)

The annual Quilt Arizona show is a highlight of spring!  Here are some great quilts from this year's show (part four of 4)!

p.s. Please visit our E-Bay shop for great bargains on jewelry, clothing, and collectibles! For blog highlights and free patterns, follow us on Twitter!     

Baltimore Spring by Pearl Sceviour, quilted by Spools: The Workshop. 

 Winner of a Blue Ribbon for 1st Place in the Applique-Duet category, Pearl Sceviour says this is her third in this series of quilts.  it is based on the Baltimore Spring pattern by Pearl Pereira (P3Designs). "I love the technical challenge of the tiny detail in this pattern and it has been one of the most satisfying quilts I've made to date. I did a lot of the quilting within the applique motifs, as I was willing to spend the time with color changes." 

Pretty in Pink, made and quilted by Barb Tatera. 

 Winner of a 3rd place ribbon in its category, this quilt began in an AQG class on the Crimson Christmas pattern by Krista Moser.  Barb Tatera says, "I changed the largest poinsettia to pink to create a fresh, contemporary color palette.  The free-hand feathers emphasize the petals of these classic winter blooms.  I'm so glad I took the class!"

Chasing Dreams by Pamela Elliott, quilted by Jessica Jones.  

Winner of a 2nd Place ribbon in the kit quilt category, Pamela Elliott says that she loves color and paper piecing and this pattern caught her interest.  "It was a joy to work on."  It was based on the published design: Chasing Dreams by Jacqueline de Jonge.

 Unfolding, made and quilted by Claire Victor  @cvqquilts

Winner of a Blue Ribbon for 1st Place in the Modern-Small category, Claire Victor says that this quilt was designed using Procreate.  "I am trying to create dimension and motion without shading or painting.  It was constructed by English Paper Piecing (EPP) and machine quilted on a domestic Bernina machine with no stitch regulator."

 Claire Victor says, " The background quilting design is my modern tribute to crazy quilting."

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