The Sunburst Quilt | Mandala Magic

Last week, we built confidence with The Eclipse Curved Blocks Quilt, discovering that curves can be easier than they look! Today, we lean into meditative stitching with The Sunburst Quilt, a radiant mandala-style quilt that’s all about color, calm, and wow factor.

Some quilts do more than warm a room, they calm your whole nervous system. Sunburst Quilt is one of those makes. It has that mesmerizing mandala look that invites you to slow down, enjoy the process, and play with color in a way that feels almost meditative. And honestly, if you have ever wanted a quilt that looks like a burst of joy on your wall or bed, this is it.

skill level Advanced
time A satisfying multi-weekend make, especially if you want to enjoy the quilting stage
ideal for Quilters who love bold color, statement quilts, and a project that feels like a creative retreat
you will practice Dresden block piecing, color planning, free motion quilting, and building a mandala style quilt
finished size 74” x 74” [188 x 188cm]

This pattern by Elaine Theriault was featured in Issue 47, where chakras, mandalas, and meditation set the theme and encourage makers to interpret these ideas in their own way across needle arts. It is such a beautiful reminder that stitching can be both creative and grounding.

Made in the Dresden plate pattern, this quilt invites you to explore the colors of the chakras, with combinations that come together into a truly radiant mandala quilt.

Get the Sunburst Quilt pattern here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/sunburst-quilt/

Get Issue 47 in print here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-47/

Get Issue 47 in digital here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-47-digital-version/

What makes this project especially exciting is the combination of strong design plus technique growth. You get the satisfaction of structured Dresden piecing, the fun of color play, and the final flourish of free motion quilting that turns the whole quilt into a glowing centerpiece.

Before you head over to the pattern, tell me this. If you made this quilt, would you choose calm, soothing colors for a meditative vibe, or go bold and bright and let it burst off the wall?

Join me next week to find out which inspiring ANPTmag quilting project I’ll share with you!