Beautiful Bargellos

Here are some beautiful Bargello quilts to brighten your day and spark your imagination. The bargello technique can be used to showcase prints, solids, or ombre fabrics, or simply to use up a stash.We hope you enjoy our photos!  (Also, scroll down for the link to dozens of free bargello patterns.)

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

Night Sky, made by Kris Neifeld & Susie Weaver, quilted by Kris Neifeld

This gorgeous quilt is based on the two-fabric bargello pattern by Susie Weaver. Kris Neifeld says this quilt, made with a dotted ombre fabric, "ended up working out better than I'd hoped." We love it... The dots create the appearance of stars!

Opposing Views, made and quilted by Amy Fitzgerald 

Amy Fitzgerald says, "My husband picked this pattern and helped choose the fabrics. I had never done a Bargello quilt-as-you-go pattern before, and it was very challenging to keep the columns straight and points lined up.  I turned the quilt upside down from the pattern picture."  Opposing Views was based on the published design called Free Fall by Ann Lauer of Grizzly Gulch Gallery. 

A Little Bit of This and That, made and quilted by Joyce Harrison

This lovely wall quilt or table runner uses original 1" squares in a 7x21 grid pattern.  Joyce Harrison says that she mused, "What to do with 1" squares? Lots of ideas. This is a small attempt to use up my stash. [My] summer time plan seemed to turn out well... I'm happy with it. Thank you to my seam ripper too." We love Joyce's original quilting, shown in the closeup photo below.

Double Rainbow by Susie Weaver, quilted by Kris Neifeld.  

Susie Weaver's original pattern, Pattern Two Fab 2.0, was the basis for this stunning quilt with its gently curving waves of color.  Susie says, "Using strip sets from this bargello project as class demos was taking way too long... I finally decided it was time to get 'er done and I'm glad I did."

Note: For more bargello quilt inspiration, please check out our Free Pattern Day for Bargello Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

 

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Arizona show (Opposing Views); the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild Show (Double Rainbow and Night Sky); and the Tucson Quilters Guild 2024 show (A Little Bit of This and That.)

Christmas and Hanukkah in Israel

Christmas in Israel generally coincides with Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, which spreads a festive spirit across the land. The celebrations are about to begin. Hanukkah in Israel is widely celebrated and marked by many symbolic events and, of course, foods. The Festival of Light, Hanukkah is an eight day festival, a celebration of hope and freedom. Meanwhile, Christmas in Israel is is truly Christmas in the Holy Land. In the town of Bethlehem, magnificent services take place on Christmas Eve. Here are a few little quilts that remind us of the historical significance of Israel for both religions.

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Jenna Bruns at Cotton Patch Designs

How far is it to Bethlehem, detail, by Rachel W.N. Brown from the book Adoration Quilts - Appliqué Nativity Projects published by Martingale

Yonder Star by Ann Lauer at Grizzly Gulch Gallery (Montana)

Nativity Scene at Creations Sew Clever (Ohio)

 
This year Hanukkah begins on Tuesday, December 20, and ends at sunset on Wednesday, December 28. The festival of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Upon re-entering the Temple, it was found that there was only enough oil for the menorah to last for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah was that the oil burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil. An eight day festival was declared by the Jewish sages to commemorate this miracle which is observed by the kindling of the lights of the Menorah. The festival is symbolized in these charming wall hangings.

Happy Hanukkah by Elizabeth Rosenberg, pattern at Dreidel

Home for Hanukkah, 32.5" x 57.5", by Cheryl Lynch at Cheryl Lynch Quilts. Featured in McCall's Quilting 2009

All wrapped up: simple, stylish holiday quilts

~Stay tuned for Christmas around the World!~

This year we've featured a medley of holiday quilts, ranging from quick-pieced blocks to appliqued motifs.  Now, as we're getting ready to share Christmas quilts from around the world, here's a wrapup!

Row 1:  Shopping’s done! Gift’s wrapped! by Sandy Gervais at Pieces from my Heart; Argyle Christmas by Natalia Bonner at Piece N Quilt. Row 2: Royaltry by Kay M. Capps Cross at Cross Cuts Quilting; Christmas Tree by Paris Bottman at Bigfork Bay Cotton Co.   Row 3: Gift Quilt by Brandon Mably at Brandon Mably Designs; Christmas reindeer by June Jaeger at Log Cabin Quiltworks. Row 4: Peace by Norma Whaley and Joyce Weeks at Geoff’s Mom Patterns; Yonder Star by Ann Lauer at Grizzly Gulch Gallery.

Yonder Star

It's the 8th day of our "simple, stylish holiday quilts". Here's a fast and fun Nativity-themed wall hanging, done with fusible applique. In the midst of a busy holiday season, this brings a sense of peace and repose, as the Wise Men journey through the silent and wondrous night, following the Star of Bethlehem.  

Yonder Star,  29 x 27 by Ann Lauer at Grizzly Gulch Gallery (Montana)

From Helena, Montana, Ann Lauer has been designing and creating quilts for over 20 years. Her online store, Grizzly Gulch Gallery, sells patterns, books, bed quilts, art quilts, fabric art, wall hangings, and custom made gifts. While perusing all the goodies for sale at Grizzly Gulch, this art quilt really caught our attention.

Like many quilters, we're enchanted by quilts which feature building and houses. The glowing village in the distance here creates such a balanced, graceful focal point and perfectly symbolizes the light of Christmas. The Yonder Star pattern features full size templates that are drawn in reverse, so they easily lend themselves to fusible applique and raw edge applique techniques. This traditional yet contemporary look goes with all decor and would look great in any room in your home.