There’s something magical about the great outdoors. The rustle of leaves, the dramatic silhouettes of mountains, the soft hues of a sunset—nature offers an endless source of beauty and creativity. For quilters, this inspiration can translate beautifully into fabric and thread, helping us capture those breathtaking moments in a quilt that tells a story.

If you've ever been moved by the sweeping vistas of a national park or the quiet charm of an untouched landscape, it’s easier than you think to weave that spirit into your next quilting project.

🌲 Nature as a Creative Muse

Looking outside offers a color palette richer and more varied than any paint store could provide. Earthy browns, misty grays, forest greens, and deep river blues all echo the feelings of calm and awe that nature inspires. Many quilters find their best ideas from simple walks in the park, hiking adventures, or even peaceful mornings spent in the backyard garden.

The textures of tree bark, the symmetry of flower petals, the movement of water—these organic shapes can spark ideas for quilt blocks, color stories, and even entire project themes.

🏞️ National Parks Collection by Riley Blake Designs

If you’re drawn to the bold grandeur of the wilderness, the National Parks fabric collection from Riley Blake Designs brings the spirit of America’s treasured landscapes to life. Featuring gorgeous illustrations of iconic parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, this collection is perfect for creating quilts that feel adventurous and deeply connected to the land.

🏡 Heima Collection by Gudrun Erla for Andover Fabrics

For a softer, more intimate take on nature, the Heima collection by Gudrun Erla for Andover Fabrics offers a beautiful alternative. “Heima,” meaning “home” in Icelandic, is filled with soothing shades of slate, moss, cloud, and sea. The minimalist designs—featuring delicate foliage, flowing water patterns, and cozy, subtle textures—capture the essence of nature in a more abstract way.

The Heima collection invites the creation of quilts that feel like a deep breath—calming, welcoming, and perfectly at home in any natural setting.

✂️ GE Designs Patterns That Bring It All Together

The perfect fabric deserves the perfect pattern, and GE Designs offers several that pair beautifully with these nature-inspired collections:

Leo - Perfect for nature lovers, featuring the classic Flying Geese block that beautifully mimics the silhouette of soaring birds or distant mountain peaks. Its layered triangles create a sense of movement and landscape, making it an ideal backdrop for earthy palettes, woodland prints, or scenic fabric collections.

Strip to Shore – With its easy flow of horizontal strips, this pattern mirrors the layered look of landscapes, from mountain ridges to sandy shores. It’s a wonderful match for the Heima collection’s serene textures.

Milky Way – A starry design that can easily echo the night skies over a national park, Milky Way is ideal for those who want to capture the wonder of outdoor stargazing.

Each of these patterns is Stripology ruler-friendly, making cutting fast, accurate, and stress-free—a bonus when your creative energy is fueled by a love for the outdoors.

🌿 Bringing the Outside In

Translating the awe of nature into a quilt is a special kind of artistry. With thoughtfully chosen fabrics like those from Riley Blake’s National Parks collection or Gudrun’s Heima line (Andover), and timeless patterns from GE Designs, it’s easier than ever to turn those vivid outdoor memories into beautiful, lasting works of art.

So grab your hiking boots—or just a cozy chair by the window—and let the outside world inspire your next masterpiece. Your quilt will be a lasting tribute to the beauty that’s all around us.