Stitching The Garden State: Quilt Inspiration from New Jersey 🌸

Our Brooke’s Bitchin’ Virtual Road Trip is rolling into New Jersey – The Garden State! Known for its stunning coastline, lush greenery, and vibrant cultural history, New Jersey is full of inspiration for quilters who love blending heritage with creativity.

Inspiration Behind The Quilt

For the Garden State Quilt Pattern, I chose purple and green fabrics to honor New Jersey’s state flower, the violet. The rich purples paired with leafy greens capture the beauty of wild violets blooming across the state each spring. These colors bring a sense of life, freshness, and growth to the quilt, making it a wonderful design for anyone who has a special tie to New Jersey.

Like all patterns in the Home Series, this one includes:

• A throw-size quilt

• Two mini quilts (perfect for wall hangings or gifts)

• Appliqué templates for the minis

• And an appliqué heart, so you can place it on the city you call home ❤️

  
  

Fabric Tips & Ideas ✂️

• One of the best parts about the Home Series is that every quilt can be customized to reflect your story. Here are some ways to make your Garden State Quilt truly personal:

  • Traditional Violet Palette: Stick with deep purples and leafy greens to celebrate New Jersey’s state flower.

  • Shoreline Inspiration: Use sandy neutrals, aqua blues, and foamy whites to capture the spirit of the Jersey Shore.

  • City Lights: Channel the energy of Atlantic City or Newark with bold pops of red, yellow, and turquoise.

  • Garden Fresh: Honor the nickname “The Garden State” with bright greens, floral prints, and even fruit-inspired fabrics.

  • Local Pride: Add an appliqué heart to your hometown or favorite city—whether that’s Cape May, Hoboken, or Princeton.

  • Family Ties: Incorporate fabrics that remind you of family roots—grandma’s favorite colors, fabrics from your stash, or prints that recall family trips to the beach or boardwalk.

  • Memory Quilting: If you grew up in New Jersey, consider adding fabrics from old clothes, T-shirts, or linens to stitch a piece of your personal history right into the quilt.

  • College Spirit: Stitch in your alma mater’s colors—Rutgers red, Princeton orange and black, or Seton Hall blue—for a quilt that honors your school memories.

  • Seasonal Twist: Try autumn-inspired tones like burnt orange, golden yellow, and forest green if you want your quilt to reflect New Jersey’s stunning fall foliage.

  Remember—this quilt is all about honoring your connection to home, so let your fabric choices tell your story.

  
  

Fun Facts About New Jersey 🌱

Did you know?

• New Jersey has more diners than any other state in the U.S.—it’s the “Diner Capital of the World.”

• The first drive-in movie theater opened here in 1933.

• With 130 miles of coastline, summer in New Jersey is all about beach days, boardwalks, and ocean breezes.

• Legendary musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Frank Sinatra all call New Jersey home.

  
  

Places to Visit in New Jersey 🚗

If you’re ever planning a trip, here are some must-see spots for families and solo adventurers alike:

• 🌊 The Jersey Shore – classic boardwalks, sandy beaches, and fun for all ages.

• 🎢 Six Flags Great Adventure – thrills, games, and endless family fun.

• 🌳 Liberty State Park – breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline.

• 🎨 Grounds for Sculpture – an outdoor art wonderland that will spark your creative spirit.

  
  

Special Road Trip Treat 🎉

To celebrate our New Jersey stop, enjoy 10% off The Garden State Quilt Pattern (shop here printed or digital download) with code GARDEN, valid only through the end of September!

Every state we stop in tells a story—and New Jersey is no exception. Whether it’s the wild violets, the endless coastline, or the energy of its cities, this quilt pattern is your chance to stitch a little piece of New Jersey into your home.

Happy Quilting,

Brooke 💜💚