Pictorial Quilts Are Taking Over: Here's Why Quilters Are Obsessed

Robert Brown · 2026-09-12

### The Quilting Trend You Can't Ignore Have you noticed? Pictorial quilts are everywhere right now. They've taken over quilt shows, Instagram feeds, and local guilds. And honestly, it's easy to see why. These aren't your grandma's traditional quilts—well, some of them are, but with a playful twist. Pictorial quilts feature blocks that look like recognizable animals, objects, or scenes. Think a quilt full of puppies in pajamas, or rows of bows that look good enough to tie. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's a pictorial quilt pattern out there with your name on it. ### What Exactly Is a Pictorial Quilt? Simply put, a pictorial quilt uses blocks that form a picture of something recognizable. It could be a cat, a flower, a house—anything you can imagine. Designers like Lori Holt, Corey Yoder, and Joanna Figueroa mix traditional and pictorial blocks in their quilts. You'll see this in books like *Prairie Home*, *Sunroom Sampler*, and *Strawberry Garden*. Then there are designers like Elizabeth Hartman, who's famous for her whimsical animal patterns. Her *Pups in Pajamas* quilt is a perfect example. What's great about pictorial quilts is their versatility. You can go super detailed or keep it simple. You can make a whole quilt of pictorial blocks or just add a few for a pop of fun. ### How to Make the Rows of Bows Block Ready to try your hand at a pictorial block? The Rows of Bows block by Kassidy Grace is a fantastic place to start. It's made up of half-square triangles, rectangles, squares, and corner squares. The magic happens with those corner squares—they create the illusion of a knot in the bow. Here's a quick rundown of the steps: - **Step 1: Assemble the Bow Loop Unit** – This forms the main loops of the bow. - **Step 2: Assemble the Left Bow Tail Unit** – The left tail comes together with a few simple pieces. - **Step 3: Assemble the Right Bow Tail Unit** – Same idea, opposite side. - **Step 4: Assemble the Rows of Bows Block** – Put all the units together, and voilà! You've got a bow block. For the complete fabric requirements and cutting directions, you'll want to grab the full pattern. But trust me, the process is straightforward and fun. ### A Tip for Fabric Placement Before you sew everything together, use a design board to play with fabric placement. Kassidy's pattern has you make 12 of each unit before assembling the blocks. That gives you a chance to balance colors and prints across your quilt. If you're going scrappy like Kimberly did, make sure your Fabric L pieces are your favorite print—they'll be the focal point of each block. > "The clever use of corner squares is a pictorial block's secret weapon!" — Kassidy Grace ### Share Your Creations Once you've made your own Rows of Bows quilt (or any pictorial quilt), share it with the community! Use #SewingTheTrendsFQS on Facebook and Instagram, and tag @fatquartershop so we can see your beautiful work. Stay tuned for the next trend—there's always something new in the quilting world. Happy quilting!