a modern quilt pattern by Lifting and Stitching

A Trip Around the Universe

Begin your voyage February 27, 2026

Your journey through the cosmos is ready to launch

My first quilt pattern, A Trip Around the Universe, is finally here! I designed the original quilt for myself in 2024 using five colors against a deep background. When I shared it online, the response was immediate: quilters wanted the pattern.

The design evolved through a minor redesign and a new piecing method for the throw-size layout. The final version uses six colors, giving the pattern stronger balance and more room for creative exploration.

Inspiration | Purchase | Tools and Kits

A celestial photograph from the James Webb Space Telescope of the Carina Nebula.

Inspired by space

The palette and depth draw from the first James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) image, the “Cosmic Cliffs” of the Carina Nebula. Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI.

A vintage trip around the world quilt in varying solid and print fabrics of colors.

Grounded in tradition

The structure echoes my great-grandmother’s hand-pieced Trip Around the World quilt from the 1970s.

Moved by music

The sounds of Sleeping at Last’s track marking the JWST’s launch served essential ambiance through the design and making process.

The James Webb Space Telescope beamed its first images back to Earth from space on July 12, 2022. Among them was an image of the Carina Nebula revealing vibrant colors of the "cosmic cliffs," with breathtaking details in browns and blues and thousands of new stars emerging from the marvelous cloud.

The stunning photograph is the inspiration behind my very first quilt pattern: A Trip Around the Universe.

I enjoyed designing and making this quilt so very much, and I am pleased to share my process. The quilt uses one block: a four-point star constructed by small pieced curves in six different colors.

What does your corner of the universe look like?

I asked a few friends and quilters I admire to take this pattern somewhere new. Their interpretations reveal how flexible the design really is—and how wildly different the results can be.

  • Digital mock-up by Karin R.

    Minneapolis Sunset

    Digital mock-up by Karin R. (@thequiltymagpie)

    Karin used Kona Solids in Raisin, Geranium, Mango, Canary, Niagara, Paris Blue, and Riviera.

  • A digital mock-up of a quilt by Maude McDonald

    Knitted at Night

    Digital mock-up by Maude M. (@theretroquilter)

    Maude used Benartex Superior Solids in Black, Sunflower, Juniper, Topaz, Fudge, Terracotta, and Caroline.

  • A digital mock-up of the quilt by Rachel Pierman.

    Pinch of Pink

    Digital mock-up by Rachel P. (@craftymonkies)

    Rachel used Art Gallery Fabrics in Heart of the Ocean, Aero Blue, Skylit, Buttermilk, Solar, Cosmos, and Festive Fuchsia.

  • A digital mock up of a quilt by Maude McDonald.

    Orange You Glad

    Digital mock-up by Maude M. (@theretroquilter)

    Maude used Benartex Superior Solids in Fudge, Sunset, Tangerine, Gold, Celery, Citron, and Spruce.

  • A digital mock up of Heather's quilt.

    Scrappy Rainbow

    Digital mock-up by Heather W. (@wurtzelvaniaquiltstudio)

    Heather used a scrappy selection from her stash of blenders and small-scale prints against a dark background.

  • Digital mock-up by Ian G.

    Stargazer

    Digital mock-up by Ian G. (@offkiltercrafterian)

    Ian used Free Spirit Designer Essential in Royal, Stargazer, Freesia, Sparkle and Dewdrop, Andover Century Solids in Caribbean and Kona Solids in Tangerine.

  • Digital mock-up by Tamee K. (@madebytamee)

    Emerald Nebula

    Digital mock-up by Tamee K. (@madebytamee)

    Tamee used Kona Solids in Honeydew, Leprechaun, Pesto and Hunter Green, and Michael Miller Cotton Couture in Celery and Fern.

Will you work with two colors in three shades, three colors in two shades, or go full spectrum? Light background or dark? Solids, blenders, or small prints?

#ATripAroundTheUniverseQuilt

PURCHASE THE PATTERN

✦

PURCHASE THE PATTERN ✦

A Trip Around the Universe

  • 65” x 65” throw size only

  • Skill level is intermediate with experience in curve piecing

  • Digital download pattern for purchase only

    • no printed patterns at this time

  • Fabric requirement and cutting recommendations included

  • Pattern includes step-by-step instructions

  • Coloring page

  • Print-versions of templates

  • Link for a video guide

Pattern launches February 27, 2026 in my Etsy shop
Cover of a quilt pattern designed by Joshua Dunn of Lifting and Stitching. The cover features the name of the quilt, A Trip Around the Universe, skill level of intermediate and method being curved piecing. A digital mock-up of the quilt is seen.

Empower yourself with tools

While the pattern offers a printable coloring page and essential templates, maybe you would like to use some different tools to ensure a smooth journey.

Digital Coloring Page

Are you on PreQuilt? If not, I highly recommend them. While you don’t need to be a member of PreQuilt to color this pattern, you can audition colors and swatches and save them to your account as a member. PreQuilt has dozens of fabric collections in their library and a nifty color randomizing tool.

Coming Soon

Custom Templates

Enjoy the ease of acrylic templates? I’ve partnered with Cut Once Quilts to design custom templates to make your trip around the universe easier. The custom acrylic templates not only include the convex and concave templates found in the pattern, but also include a seam and squaring tool.

Coming soon

Quilt Kits

I look forward to sharing more information with you soon about some great shops who will be offering quilt kits! Check back and to see which shops are offering kits.

Blue Ridge Quilt Co.
(United States)

Coming Soon

Cow and Giraffe
(United Kingdom)

Coming Soon

Sew Curated
(Canada)

Coming Soon