Pelican Quilts

Artist, Writer, Quilter

The Quilt on the Couch

I'm Sarah Gagnon, a quilt artist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Each of my quilts is grounded in traditional quilting techniques, but every piece is an original composition. I work slowly and intentionally, hand-dyeing natural linen fabricwith plant-based dyes like madder, indigo, and walnut. Using sashiko thread and hand quilting methods, I piece together colors and textures to create modern heirloom quilts that reflect both history and personal expression.

My quilt patterns aren't strict templates—they're creative quilt instructions that leave space for improvisation, encouraging you to make each quilt your own. I believe quilting is more than a craft; it’s a way of thinking, a way of noticing. In my writing series, The Quilt on the Couch, I explore what this practice can teach us—about being human, about making art, and about the strange joy we find in repetition, color, and form.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly quilt patterns, naturally dyed quilting fabric, or inspiration rooted in slow stitching, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find hand-quilted beauty, thoughtful reflection, and guidance for creating your own heirloom-quality quilts—one stitch at a time.

Handmade quilt with geometric patterns in shades of brown, pink, blue, and white, laid on a wooden floor next to potted plants.

Want to make a quilt?

Explore my collection of hand-quilted, naturally dyed heirloom quilt patterns—designed not as rigid templates, but as open-ended instructions that invite your own creative touch. Each pattern is rooted in traditional hand quilting methods and features naturally dyed fabrics made with plant-based color, including madder, indigo, weld, and walnut. These heirloom-style quilt projects are crafted with sustainability in mind, using organic cotton and linen, and emphasizing the beauty of slow, intentional stitching. Perfect for quilters seeking eco-friendly, timeless designs, these flexible guides allow you to adapt each quilt to your own vision—making every finished piece truly one of a kind. Whether you're just beginning or an experienced quilter, you'll find inspiration in these modern interpretations of historic quilting traditions.

Person wrapped in a striped blanket standing in a garden with bare trees and dry plants during autumn.
A quilt with geometric patterns in shades of yellow, beige, and white, featuring concentric square designs. It's spread out on a wooden floor next to a wood-burning stove with a pail of kindling and logs nearby.
Person peeking from behind a curtain in a room with vintage blue and gold wallpaper featuring decorative patterns and birds.
A star-patterned quilt with red, blue, and yellow stars on a white background, laid out on a bed.
Tabby cat lying on a colorful geometric quilt.

Hand Stitched & Naturally Dyed

Quilting is the stitching that binds layers of fabrics together to create a quilt. I love the repetitive, frenetic, constant movement of my hands. My work is composed on 100% linen colored with natural dyes.