Q.I. classics: Free Pattern Day ! Patriotic Quilts

'Tis the season for red, white and blue ! Next week is Memorial Day, June 14 is Flag Day, and America's Independence Day is just around the corner.  This post was originally published on May 2012 and was recently updated... here are 30 free patterns for quilts, wall hangings, pillows and table runners !

American Glory quilt tutorial by Stefanie Roman for Moda Bakeshop

Stars and Stripes by Heidi Pridemore for P&B Textiles

Uncle Sam's Quilt by Andie Johnson for Moda Bakeshop

Variable Star Quilt by Alex Anderson, free pattern for Quilting for a Cause as seen at C&T Publishing

Patriot Proud by Janet Mednick for P&B Textiles

 Flag of Valor pattern by Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson for Moda Fabrics

American Pinwheels Quilt tutorial by Crystal Hendrix for Moda Bakeshop

Stretching to the Stars quilt, free pattern by Janet Wickell at About.com

America quilt, free pattern by Leere Aldrich for Clothworks

July Star Blocks tutorial by Allison Harris at Cluck Cluck Sew

A Cry for Freedom,Ohio Stars and Rails quilt, free pattern by Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville

Nine Patch and Four Patch Stars by Kate Laucomer at Quilters World
 

Flag Fanfare Quilt, free pattern by Retta Warehime at TLC Home

And Waved to Me, free quilt pattern by Tish Douglas as seen at Quilted Things

American Beauty quilt, free pattern by Leslie Sonkin for Windham Fabrics

Army Star Quilt Block tutorial by Lynne at Lily's Quilts

Fourth of July wall hanging, free pattern at Sew Bitter Sweet Designs

Patriotic Star Pillow by Kimberly Walus at bitty bits and pieces

Stars and Stripes Quilt, free pattern by Stacy Harpole, fabric by Pat Sloan for P&B Textiles

Vintage View - 10¢ a chance, free vintage quilt pattern at McCalls Quilting

Another Quick Flag Quilt tutorial by Tia at Tia Curtis Quilts

Scrappy Squares and Bars quilt, free pattern by Cindy Carter at Carter Quilter

A Real Firecracker table topper, free pattern by Diane Volk Harris for Quiltmaker

American Flag Wall Hanging tutorial at Jill Made It

Long May She Wave mini quilt tutorial at Mel's Own Place

Old Glory quilt by Maggie Hall, free pattern for Quilting for a Cause as seen at C&T Publishing

 
 Quilted Fireworks Table Runner, free pattern by Calli at Make It Do

Sweet Liberty Table Runner tutorial by Julie from The Intrepid Thread as seen at The Quilted Fish

Patriotic Table Runner, free pattern by Sheila Reinke at The Heart of Sewing

 Patriotic Hexagons table runner, free pattern by Sherri McConnell at All People Quilt

Americana Summer Quilted Table Runner, free pattern at TLC Home

American Flag Quilt table runner, free pattern by Beth Lancaster at Moonlight Quilts

Patriotic Pillows tutorial at Sewn Studio

Image credits:  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.

Q.I. Classics: Quilts of Guatemala by Priscilla Bianchi

From her home in Guatemala, Central America, Priscilla Bianchi creates quilts, fabrics, and quilt patterns in a dazzling array of color. Her quilts are inspired by the vibrant "huipiles" or tunics, woven by the native Mayan women in patterns that are unique to each village. We first featured Priscilla's work at Quilt Inspiration in April, 2010.

Natura Florida II by Priscilla Bianchi

The Mayan people of Guatemala live in the highlands jungles, where vividly colored flowers and tropical plants have flourished since the beginning of time. This quilt showcases the lush magenta, fuchsia and lavender hues of exotic orchids and other captivating blossoms which have long inspired the lovely textile art of this region. Natura Florida II also celebrates the rich geometric patterns of the native villages, along with the traditional indigo blue and cochineal red fabric dyes used for centuries.

Colors of San Ildefonso, 59 x 71", by Priscilla Bianchi

'Colors of Ildefonso' is inspired by the orderly, geometric shapes on the 'huipils' (women's blouses) from the village of San Ildefonso. Choose interesting stripes and coordinating colors for a vibrant quilt with clean lines and high visual impact. This is one of the art quilt patterns available at Priscilla Bianchi's website. 

Mayan Kente by Priscilla Bianchi

Phyllis says, "I've long been attracted to 'randas', the heavily embroidered decoration found on the front of native Mayan women's skirts. Its linear nature suggested 'weaving' to me. The continuous motion of weft over and under warp is the fundamental essence of textiles. As I worked the design, it reminded me of Kente cloth from Africa." Mayan Kente is Phyllis' tribute to weavers around the world, whose skill with color and design creates a legacy of functional, beautiful clothing.

Cruz de Chichi (Chichi's Cross) by Priscilla Bianchi as seen at El Azar Cultural 

Made with Guatemalan hand-woven textiles, Indonesian batiks, and commercial cottons, "Chichi's Cross" symbolizes the community of Chichicastenango united around the sign of the cross. The intricately detailed kaleidoscopic center contrasts with the simple, large areas of deep color around it. This stunning quilt was featured in a 2011 exhibit of Priscilla Bianchi's work at Museo Ixchel (Guatemala).

Guatemalan Reflections by Priscilla Bianchi

Here is one of Priscilla Bianchi's quilt patterns which is made as a string quilt; strip sets are made and then cut into triangles which are pieced together.  This quilt is a great way to feature colorful Guatemalan fabrics, or, to use up scraps.  You can read more about the design, including fabric requirements, in an article at Simply Quilts on HGTV.

1000 Rainbow Pyramids by Priscilla Bianchi

1000 Rainbow Pyramids is a "charm quilt", a type of construction in which no two fabrics are similar throughout the entire quilt. This work utilizes 480 different fabric triangles. It leads the viewer's eye along a pathway of both contrasting values and warm and cool hues, in which the entire color spectrum is explored.

Guatemalan Flora by Priscilla Bianchi


Guatemalan Flora is a free, downloadable quilt pattern which Priscilla Bianchi designed for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. You can see her love of bold, bright, strong prints which characterize much of her wonderful work.  Plenty of quilt inspiration and patterns also can be found in Priscilla's book, Caliente Quilts.



Guatemalan fabrics, similar to the ones shown in the cover quilt above, can be purchased at Priscilla Bianchi's online store, here.