Explore Quilt Making, Quilting History & Patching

Piecing the Patches

Have you ever wondered about the history of folk art quilting? Or maybe you've always wanted to get involved with a quilt patch exchange or quilting guild but didn't have the skills to do so. No matter what the case, you will learn a lot about quilting, patches, and folk art from the following resources offering plenty of quilting how-to instruction, free patterns and project ideas (quilt seeds), exchange opportunities, and beautiful galleries of inspirational work.

Quilting History and How-to Resources

America's Quilting History
If you're researching the history of quilting and looking for quilt study tips, facts and myths behind quilt patterns, and other interesting quilt information — this is the place for you! "Come with me on this journey as we explore the history of quilts and the lives of the women who made them."

Quilting at About.com
A solid quilting resource and community. Regular articles are featured with topics including appliqué, beginners, classes and workshops, online resources, galleries, collecting and care, foundation piecing, free blocks, free small quilts and projects, and quilt equipment.

A Prairie Hermitage
Features quilts, quilt patterns, and more. Offers free EQ software project files and printable patterns to download for non-profit use. View the beautiful quilt gallery and studio to see works in progress and finished quilts.

e-QuiltPatterns.com
Free quilt patterns as well as pay quilt patterns which can all be downloaded and printed to your home printer instantly. Pattern categories include contemporary, holiday, pictorial, traditional, and out of print.

QuiltArtz by Rebekka Seigel
Quilting information, articles, and inspirational galleries. Features classroom projects for kids and sample lesson plans/ideas to facilitate learning about history, culture, and self.

Gloria Hansen, Quiltmaker
Artist, writer, and quiltmaker Gloria Hansen shares her love for creativity and quilting. View over a dozen quilting projects in her gallery and be inspired by her creative design ideas and free patterns.

Patchworks Studio
Useful hints and tips for new and experienced quilters — many submitted by visitors. Topics include quilt cleaning, project organization, and quilting tools.

Piece By Number
"Here you'll find fun, unique quilting designs for foundation piecing inspired by nature, art and decoration from around the world, architecture, mathematics, and sometimes just plain whimsy." Features free downloadable blocks and patterns.

QuiltBus
An amazing complete quilt shop on wheels! "The quilt store that comes to your door with free quilt blocks and patterns, quilt fabrics, supplies, books, and quilting information." Offers expert advice, articles, and information covering many quilting-related topics including: appliqué techniques, EQ5, fabric, patterns, blocks, notions, and batting.

Quilter's Online Resource
Features useful tools, tips, and patterns for beginner and experienced quilters. Includes a swaps page, help page, techniques, quilt styles, quilt-lits, and clipart library.

Quilting with Judy Martin
Dedicated to empowering quilters. Features a free block of the month: "Every month Judy Martin will post a new block for you to download and make. She'll give you a colored drawing of the block, complete rotary cutting and piecing diagrams."

Quilt Seeds Designs
Foundation paper pieced quilting designs, realistic to whimsy! Offers free quilt seed blocks, mysteries, paper piecing tips, photo gallery, and pattern catalog.

Quilt University
"Join thousands of students who explore the world of patchwork and quilting from the comfort of their own homes. Quilt University is a website that offers more than 120 online classes, from basic quilt construction to graduate design work." Offers a free sample class and monthly quilting newsletter.

Victoriana Quilt Designs
Non-members can take advantage of the free offerings from this site including: block of the month, printable quilt labels, charity quilt pattern, technique instructions, quilting designs, library, message board, and gallery.

Virginia Consortium of Quilters (VCQ)
Open to all quilters! Features information and resources related to quilting and guilds including pieces and patches, quilt museums, quilt gallery, and discussion board for expert advice and how-to information.

Patchpieces
By Patti R. Anderson — quilt maker, quilt teacher, and pattern designer. Features a sharing patch with "ideas to inspire you to use EQ's full potential"; block of the month projects and archives; and free downloadable PDF projects and patterns.