Inspired by Summer: FREE Quilt Patterns

Embrace those summer vibes with a fresh quilting project. We've rounded up five of our most summer-inspired free quilt patterns. Pick your favorite, download and print it, and then head to your local quilt shop to purchase the fabrics. 

Happy Summer Sewing! 

1. Bright candy colors in a modern quilt! 

Gumdrops by Simone Bradford featuring her On Your Mark collection 

(Purchase a FQ bundle to get you started here)

Download the free quilt pattern here.

2. Fresh veggie prints in a simple appliqued circle design. 

Small Plates designed by Lisa Swenson Ruble featuring the Market Medley collection

Download the free quilt pattern here.

3. Rich and summery watercolor prints in a two-block design.

Portofino designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts featuring the Portofino collection
by Ro Gregg

Download the free quilt pattern here.

4. Relax in the these tropical delights!

Tropical Blues designed by Lisa Swenson Ruble featuring the Mod Tropics collection

(Purchase a FQ bundle to get started  here...three colorways!)

Download the free quilt pattern here.

5. Create your own butterfly garden in a rainbow of solids.

A Flutter of Color designed by Linda Frost featuring the Painter's Palette Solids collection 

Download the free quilt pattern here.

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A big thank you to everyone who participated in our My Pet Family giveaway! 

We loved seeing your pet photos! 

Here are our winners: 

Candy Hargrove

Mary Bailey

@leslieg209

Sailing Away: Portofino pillow tutorial

Sail away with us! 

We've used Ro Gregg's rich and colorful Portofino collection 

to sew the Sailing Away Pillow. 

Follow the tutorial below to make your own. 

Pillow measures 20" square

The Portofino prints we used:

You'll Need:
1 fat quarter Painter's Palette White Solid (#120-000)
1 fat quarter each:
    boat print  (#120-99041)
    orange tonal (#120-99052)
    gray tonal (#120-99063)
    blue/black tonal (#120-99051)
    green tonal (#120-99062)
    sailboats at sunset (#120-99011)
1/2 yard scenic print (#120-99001) for pillow back
22" square of batting
Fusible web
20" square pillow form

Cutting:
From the White Solid:
(1) 12-1/2" square
4) 1-1/2" squares

From the orange tonal: 
(4) 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" pieces

From the boat print: 
(2) 3" x 20-1/2" pieces
(2) 3" x 15-1/2" pieces

From the scenic print:
(2) 15" x 20-1/2" pieces 

Print the template pages here. 

Make the Pillow:
Step 1. Trace each template onto the paper side of fusible web. Cut out each shape 1/4" beyond the lines and fuse onto the wrong side of the indicated fabric. 
Sail #1: sailboats at sunset
Sail #2: orange tonal
Boat: green tonal
Pennant: green tonal
Mast: gray tonal
Wave: blue/black tonal

Step 2. Referring to the photo, position the applique pieces on the 12-1/2" white square and fuse into place.

Step 3: Sew 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" orange tonal pieces to opposite sides of the sailboat square. Sew 1-1/2" white squares to opposite ends of the remaining (2) 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" orange tonal pieces. Sew to the top and bottom of the sailboat square. 

Step 4: Sew 3" x 15-1/2" boat pieces to opposite sides of the center. Sew 3" x 20-1/2" boat pieces to the top and bottom to complete the pieced pillow top. 

Step 5: Layer the pillow top on the 22" square of batting. Machine quilt as desired and trim to measure 20-1/2" square.

Step 6: Press (1) long edge of a 15" x 20-1/2" scenic print piece over 1/4" and then 1/4" again. Topstitch to create a finished edge. Repeat on the second scenic print piece, noting orientation. 

Step 7: Layer the quilted pillow top right side up. Position the (2) backing pieces on top, matching raw edges on all sides and overlapping the finished edge in the center. Sew around all (4) sides and turn the pillow right side out. Insert the pillow form. 

Sail away! 

More Portofino Love! 

Download the FREE Portofino quilt pattern designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts here. 

See two commercial prints featuring Portofino here. 

Read an interview with Ro here. 

See the entire Portofino collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

3 Portofino Quilts for You

Bring the beauty of Ro Gregg's Portofino into your home! 

We have three color-packed quilt patterns for you:

 1. Portofino designed by Barb Sackel

Highlight Portofino's a large piece of the gorgeous scenic focal print with pieced borders
and sailboats. Quilt measures 38" x 43". 

Pattern available through QuiltWoman.com.
Call or email to order.

2. Harbor View designed by Barb Sackel

Portofino prints go modern with strips and squares. Frame different sized pieces of the scenic print in dramatic black and add interest with pops of colorful coordinates.
Quilt measures 52" x 68".

Pattern available through QuiltWoman.com.
Call or email to order.

3. Portofino designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts

These prints pop on a fresh white background. You'll be surprised at how this easily quilt is assembled--no on-point rows! Quilt measures 58" x 71".

Download the free quilt pattern here.

See Portofino fabric close-ups and read an interview with fabric designer Ro Gregg here.
See the entire Portofino collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

Take a trip...

Ready for a virtual vacation?
Head with us to Portofino, a quaint, colorful fishing village on the Italian Riveria.

Inspired by a trip to this charming harbor, Ro Gregg created her vibrant watercolor-style fabric collection, Portofino. We asked Ro to introduce us to her new fabrics.

Q. Why Portofino?

Ro: When you go to a place like this, it stays in your mind. It's so beautiful. Portofino was originally just a fishing village that is now a beautiful resort destination--a gorgeous harbor surrounded by mountains.

Painterly details in the focal print

Q. The palette for these fabrics is so appealing.

Ro: It’s bold and saturated. Sun-kissed orange and yellow, emerald green, regal reds, and of course the cobalt blues from the sea. The colors of the rainbow, really.

  

Q. Tell us about the boats.

Ro: You still see many of the charming wooden fishing boats among the yachts. It’s part of the culture—even the variety of colors. The fishermen have them tied up to the docks.

Q. What is your favorite memory that made it into the fabric?

Ro: The sunset particularly stayed with me. You can take a cruise around the harbor while the sun is setting, and the colors are so vibrant. You just indulge yourself in the colors. This shows up in the fabric with the silhouetted sailboats—my favorite.

Q. And the houses?

Ro: The area is also famous for the colorful houses on the hills. When you get into the harbor, you see them all around.

See the entire collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

What would you make with Portofino? Come back later this week and we'll share some ideas (including a free quilt pattern).