There’s a new (old) pattern in my Shop! Saguaro was first published to my shop almost 10 years ago and only came in one size. I’ve always loved this beginner-friendly, scrappy quilt pattern and thought it was high time to update the instructions and republish a pattern with multiple project sizes.

Here’s a look back at the original Saguaro cover quilt made with Art Gallery Fabrics Artisan collection by Pat Bravo. Today, you have six project sizes to choose from but with still all the wonderful scrappiness that lets you play with a lot of different prints and colors.

I made the cover quilt throw and a pair of pillows from the pattern to share in this blog post and we’ll start with the throw quilt made using prints from an assortment of my Art Gallery Fabrics collections. This quilt will be available as a kit from Brooke Becker at Lady Belle Fabric and included prints from my Spirited, Kismet, Kindred, Listen to Your Heart, Fanciful, Willow, and Shine On collections. Brooke has 18 quilts to match this look exactly but Intrinsic Soft from Shine On is now completely sold out at AGF so any additional kits after the initial 18 will have Spirited’s Painted Prairie Anthesis as a substitute print (equally wonderful—so not to worry—it’ll be beautiful).

Not only did I get this cover quilt done in time for our Arizona trip in January but we also missed the bulk of the big winter snow storms that came through the midwest at that time! My husband and I had a lot of fun hiking around and looking for spots to photograph the quilt—we definitely needed some Saguaro cacti in the photos!

I used Hobbs batting Polydown batting inside for that lovely loft. It was the perfect choice batting for packing in a suitcase and did not crease or wrinkle—so nice for photographing! I did the quilting on my sample using my domestic sewing machine and my Easy Orange Peel method of quilting. I eye-ball corner to corner and free motion quilt so it goes very fast (not perfect) but fast and done.

The quilt is a scrap-lover’s dream because you not only have scrappy blocks but a scrappy background, too! I think it took me longer to pick out the fabrics than it did to make the quilt.

For my pillow samples I decided to make the background the darker fabrics and the blocks lighter and this quilt pattern looks fabulous both ways! For the Pillows I used prints from my Juniper collection and had originally thought Vert Fusions Venture (the top print in the above photo) was going to be my binding but changed my mind at the end and used the same Juniper Grove print (bottom of pile) for the binding and backing.

Saguaro pillows are 24 inches square and if you use feather pillow inserts like I do, they are soft and comfy as toss pillows for a bed, the sofa, or for lounging on the floor. I love how this green and low volume palette can work in my home decor all throughout the year.

I chose to quilt the pillow tops in a simple diagonal grid. The Saguaro pattern include full instructions for how to finish your pillows with a Lapped Zipper backing and bound edges.

Meet the Testers

With every quilt pattern release there’s a talented team of testers making project versions before the pattern launches. Saguaro is my first pattern release of 2024 and we have three new members this year to the Tester Team! Please welcome Katherine Clark, Sandy Saengsuk, and Melissa David. I’ll include each testers social media link(s) so you can learn more about them and follow.

Lindsey Fuessley

Lindsey Fuessley chose to make her Saguaro quilt in Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids. I love the muted, earthy color palette Lindsey used and how it reminds me of antique Amish quilts—stunning! Lindsey made the throw quilt size that’s perfect for couch-time snuggling. See more of Lindsey’s work on Instagram by following her at Lindsey Fuessley of Lindsey Makes.

Mary Gove

Mary Gove used Art Gallery Fabrics prints from Amy Sinibaldi’s Haven collection to make the pretties pair of Saguaro pillows! I love everything about these pillows and am a huge fan of whatever Mary makes. Follow her on Instagram @thecurlyquilter.

Joyce Ulm

Joyce Ulm hit it out of the park with her Saguaro throw quilt! She mixed colors and prints from assorted Art Gallery Fabrics collection lines and created a balanced, classic, natural palette. Joyce will be quilting this one up on her long arm so be sure to check back with her on Instagram, HERE and also as the owner of Eva Maes Custom Quilts where she sells handmade items as well as runs her long arms quilting service.

tracey taber-perry

Tracey Taber-Perry never disappoints! Her eye for combining prints and colors creates the prettiest quilts and her Saguaro throw just proves it. Tracey selected fabrics from multiple AGF fabric lines to come up with this plum and gold beauty. This talented maker can be found on Instagram, HERE.

Tamara Darragh

Tamara Darragh has created a beautiful Saguaro pillow that’s perfect for a modern farmhouse, a chic townhouse, or any decor in between! Add some fresh toss pillows to your home in a classic black and white palette. The gingham is such a fun touch! See more of Tamara Darragh of Remi Vail Studio on her website and of Tamara on Instagram, HERE.

Marija Vujcic

I love how each of the pillow projects have looked so different and Marija Vujcic’s pillow pair are just stunning in peach and coral. Marija mixed prints from mine and Maureen Cracknell’s AGF lines for a fresh and floral, playful look. Learn how Marija free motion quilted her pillows by visiting her at Marija Vujcic on Instagram @maraquiltdesigns and on her blog at Mara Quilt Designs.

Katherine Clark

Katherine Clark of Katherine Elizabeth Quilts on Instagram is one of our three new members to the Tester Team. Katherine, is also our first international member and is a shop owner in the UK. Katherine’s beautiful Saguaro crib quilt is made from AGF prints designed by Katarina Roccella for her Mindscape collection. Welcome Katherine—we love your work!

Sandy Saengsuk

You may have seen Sandy Saengsuk’s work before in Art Gallery Fabrics Look Books and in samples made for other designers. We’re thrilled to have her new to our Tester Team this year and love her Saguaro crib quilt she made with assorted AGF fabrics and the new AGF 2.5 binding. Be sure to visit Sandy’s Instagram page and website under her business name of Thai Charm LLC.

Melissa David

Last but not least is our third new Tester Team member, Melissa David of Quilting Above the Clouds on Instagram. Melissa’s succulent-inspired palette is made from an assortment of prints from different Art Gallery Fabrics collections. Melissa quilted this Saguaro throw quilt on a domestic machine while on vacation in Colorado but normally works on a long arm machine when at home in Texas. We’re thrilled to have Melissa on our team!

I hope you're inspired to start looking through your fabric stash and playing with fabric pulls for your Saguaro quilt. The shop listing for this quilt will show you the fabric requirements for the project sizes. Be sure to tag me @sharonhollanddesigns and your quilt with #saguaroquilt when you make and post your beautiful version!

Happy sewing,

Sharon