“Queen of the House”: A Mother’s Day Quilt Pattern
A Quilt Pattern for the Ones Who Hold It All Together
Let’s be real—Mother’s Day can bring up a lot. For some, it’s a sweet celebration of motherhood, matriarchs, and makers of the world. But for others, it’s… complicated. Grief, distance, fraught memories, or a role we never asked for. But underneath it all, there are women—mothers or not—who’ve quietly carried the weight of everything and still managed to show up with strength, grit, and a little bit of style. They’re all the queens of the house.
This quilt is for them
On May 1, I released a new commando appliqué pattern called Queen of the House. It’s bold. It’s clean. And it’s a nod to the women who’ve patched up more than fabric—who’ve held families, classrooms, teams, and friendships together with equal parts muscle and heart.
Why “Queen of the House”?
Because the title fits. We grow up thinking “queen” means tiaras and castles, but the real queens are the ones who turn a house into a haven, a life into a legacy, and a sewing room into a sanctuary. This pattern honors them—past, present, and future—whether or not it involves motherhood. Queen of the House features a strong, stylized crown—think chin lifted, shoulders back—that commands attention without saying a word. The lines are clean and angular, almost regal in their simplicity, so you can make bold fabric choices that let you tell your own story. Like all commando appliqué designs, this one flows together without fussy prep—no rigid rules, no overthinking—just creative momentum and meaningful shapes stitched with intention.
Inspired by Icons
This pattern was born from the same creative energy that led to three of my favorite quilts that I designed—Vice President Kamala Harris, Audrey Hepburn, and Princess. These women embodied their own kind of royal strength: Diana, with her courage and compassion; Audrey, with her quiet power and timeless elegance; and Kamala with her resilience. I’ve always been drawn to women who defy expectations—and who still find time to be kind. These quilts are part of the inspiration behind my starting The AI Quilter.
In many ways, Queen of the House is their spiritual sister. She doesn’t follow trends—she sets them. She doesn’t wait for permission—she makes the rules. And whether she’s a mother, aunt, teacher, or chosen sister, she’s someone whose presence leaves a mark.
Quilt Designs with Purpose
When I designed this quilt, I was thinking about every woman I’ve seen lift others up, hold things together, and still make time to create (and some of them aren’t moms). That’s what commando appliqué is really about: reclaiming our creative control, skipping the busywork, and diving
straight into expression.
If you’re inspired by stories of strong, fearless women, Untamed by Glennon Doyle is another beautiful reminder that stepping fully into our power creates ripples far beyond ourselves.
Let’s Do This
So if you’re looking for a project that feels like a love letter to the strong women in your life—or in your mirror—Queen of the House is for you. Let’s quilt the kind of tribute they deserve.