Download this free row quilt pattern with horses, get the fabrics, and delight a cowboy or cowgirl with this equestrian handmade gift!
I designed the Saddle Up Quilt for the American Spirit collection by Kathleen Hill for Studioe Fabrics. It measures 50” x 62-1/4” and the blocks finish at 6″, 12″, and 12-1/4″. The prints feature lassos, denim patches, galloping horses, plaid, cowboy hats, and other equestrian-related icons.
The denim print is used both on the narrow border and binding, framing the quilt center and giving it a modern flair.
The quilt design includes four basic fabrics from the Peppered Cottons collection to lighten the overall look and emphasize the beautiful prints.
The star blocks are very easy to make and highlight the print in the center by placing the light cream fabric on the 3-fabric hourglass blocks. The star legs feature darker fabrics to provide contrast and draw the eyes to the light blue fabric.
Since I used different fabrics on the outside, I wanted to keep the center of the stars the same to connect the blocks on those rows.
The horseshoe and hat are fused to the background and machine-appliqued with matching threads. You know I like blanket stitch, but use whichever stitch you prefer.
The easy instructions will show you how to trim the blocks so they can lean to the left and right without needing to sew triangles to the centers. Beginner quilters will appreciate this construction!
I love the plaid in the background; it is a perfect fabric for shirts as well, so keep this in mind when purchasing the materials for the quilt.
The two blocks on the center row tie the design together with the star in the middle. The background is light, so the panel blocks I placed next to them would pop! I was not even tempted to use the plaid on these blocks.
It is OK to use more than one basic color to complement the prints. In the early days of my quilting journey, I used to think that backgrounds should always be of the same fabric. Duh!
These panel blocks can be used to make throw pillows, so you may want to purchase two panels – one for the quilt and the other for the pillows. They measure about 20″.
I did like the denim patches, as you can see, and repeated them in this hourglass block. The textures and prints in all the fabrics are reminiscent of farm and ranch life and send me back to my childhood, when I lived in the center of Brazil and spent weekends among cows and horses.
When sewn together, the hourglass blocks continue the movement in the design: the galloping horses on the fabric vignettes, the leaning hats and horseshoes, and the horses in the middle row. Did I forget anything in this free row quilt pattern with horses?
A while ago, I designed a free pattern for a horse panel (click here to see it). I am sure you could use the same pattern with panels of similar sizes – here is the pattern again if you would like to download it.
The American Spirit collection is already in stores, so look for it and get ready to sew this fun quilt.
This post put me in the mood to drive around farm country, wearing this cool hat, sipping a cold drink, and listening to country music… Wrap your quilt with equestrian-themed paper, add the hat or the cup (affiliate links), and check off another project from your list!
Have a great week!
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