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My little sister recently returned home from studying abroad in the United Kingdom. As we wrestled with the zipper of her over-capacity suitcase, I was reminded of Mary Poppins’ magic satchel that could store any number of items. The suitcase was literally a treasure-trove containing a huge amount of flower-embossed tins of English tea, luxurious Parisian scarves, multiple newspapers about the birth of the English prince, and other lovely artifacts from across the pond.
As my eye caught a photograph of a Gothic cathedral full of stunning stained-glass windows, I was hit with a burst of inspiration: the gorgeous antiquity of European style would make an exquisite quilt pattern!
Creating a quilt pattern inspired by another country is a trendy and thrifty way to decorate your home without leaving the U.S. In celebration of Western Europe’s unique icons and culture, FaveQuilts presents our popular patterns inspired by our friends on the other side of the Atlantic.
English Quilt Patterns
If you adore Kate Middleton or just enjoy the way British accents sound, these elegant quilt patterns inspired by England are just the thing for your home. Get inspired by the most famous family in the world with the Royal Family Heirloom Quilt, which is made of a gorgeous hst design of ruby red and deep purple fabrics. Give any room a prim and proper touch by paper piecing the vintage prints of this Union Jack Patchwork Cushion Cover (shown).
For an even daintier design, the Tea and Roses Table Topper Pattern celebrates all the beauty of the legendary English Rose with traditional tea time. Finally, give your bathroom a tiny London applique pattern with the Little British Taxi Towel.
Irish Quilt Patterns
Perhaps you’d like to celebrate the land of St. Patrick and emerald green meadows? FaveQuilts has a wide selection of Irish quilt patterns that can be used to celebrate St. Patty’s Day or your family’s own Irish heritage. For example, this Four Leaf Clover Quilt (shown) is a wonderful way to show off your Irish pride and embroidery skills during any time of the year. In addition, the Green Beer Quilted Table Runner is the perfect accessory to dress up your table as you sip your Irish breakfast tea in the morning.
French, Spanish, and Italian Quilt Patterns
Perhaps the most timeless designs come from the artistic tradition of romance languages. One way to honor the revolutionary progress of Italian art is with the sophisticated scalloped design of the Red Renaissance Waves Quilt.
For a more modem European-inspired quilt, simply use famous icons. Well-known structures, such as Eiffel tower, can easily be appliqued to make a French-themed quilt pattern like the Love from Paris Quilt (shown).
Finally, if you dream of someday riding your bike down the sweltering streets of Spain, the Valencia Street Bike Basket is the perfect way to live out your vogue European lifestyle.
Want more European-inspired quilt patterns and techniques? Check out our wide variety of Irish Chain quilts and English paper piecing tutorials.
Which country would you choose to inspire your next quilt pattern?
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I’d love to Swedish pattern to reflect my Swedish heritage. Of course, it would need to have a Dala horse on it.
Me too,Joanne, I am new to quilting but would love to see and perhaps try a traditional Swedish quilt.
It would have to be a quilt reflecting Australia — a country that is absolute heaven on earth to me. I’ve been saving Australian fabrics for years for just that project.
for Joanne, who wanted Swedish quilt design (see above). I designed one, a crib-size quilt. It’s available on my website; instructions and templates included. Title, “A Blanket for Svea” (my grand-niece). Intersting site here … just found it today. Thanks!