It’s been a while since I’ve released a new quilt pattern specifically based on the colors of Lent and Advent; in fact, I think it’s been almost four years now since the release of the Lent/Advent Table Runner! High time for a new design – especially knowing I can now use this quilt for both Advent and Lent.
Now, you all know I don’t often do “block” quilt patterns and usually go for designs that are quite literal representations of what the quilt depicts, like in the Jesse Tree quilt or the Women of the Bible quilt or the Holy Week quilt (just to name a few – ha!). Like all our recent patterns, this one comes with a video tutorial that will help you through piecing this quilt!
It was really enjoyable to work in creating a quilt pattern for Advent and Lent that had both a primary and secondary patterns within the design. Let’s take a moment to talk about the colors because, while the purple and pink (rose) colors of Advent and Lent share some overlapping symbolism, they also have distinct meanings specific to each season.
- Purple in Advent and Lent
- Advent: Purple symbolizes preparation, penance, and royalty. It reflects the anticipation of Christ’s coming—both at Christmas and His second coming. The penitential aspect is milder than in Lent, focusing more on hopeful waiting and spiritual readiness.
- Lent: Purple represents penance, repentance, and solemnity as we prepare for Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It calls for a deeper examination of sin and conversion, often accompanied by 40 days of fasting and prayer.
- Pink (Rose) in Advent and Lent
- Advent: Pink (rose) is used on Gaudete Sunday (third Sunday), meaning “rejoice.” It marks a shift toward joy as we near Christmas, reminding us that Christ’s coming is close.
- Lent: Pink is used on Laetare Sunday (fourth Sunday), which also means “rejoice.” It offers a brief respite from the penitential tone, encouraging us with the hope of Easter.
Let’s look a little closer at some key components of this Lent and Advent quilt. First up? The blocks! The first block in this Advent and Lent quilt pattern is called Crown of Thorns. Doesn’t that pointy design at the center remind you of the crown? Using two shades of brown make the design really pop out, and the radiating colors from the center feel like the crown itself is emitting the powerful light. If you look closely at the blocks, the colors at the corners alternate which makes a great secondary pattern in the quilt (see image above of quilt).
The second block in the quilt is called Crosses. Like the Crown of Thorns block, it’s a soft reference built into the design of the block itself. Two planks of wood, one in the darker fabric and one in the lighter, spiral around the block. You could, of course, make your cross even more prominent by consolidating the two shades of brown fabric into a single shade.
The second component in this Advent and Lent quilt pattern is that you have the option of making either the quilt (that’s what I’m working on!) or just sewing a few of the quilt blocks in the pattern to make a table runner. The mockup below uses a scrappy coloring depicting the crown of thorns block radiating around the cross block. I love how the two designs compliment each other; the crown of thorns is a larger design than the crosses, creating the perfect balance in the quilt. Plus, do you notice that secondary pattern created where the blocks connect at the corners? Where the light purple and dark purple make a diamond? Love!! 
If you don’t want to make a full quilt for Advent and Lent, you can also make three blocks from the quilt pattern into a table runner for your home. You all remember my tip on table runners, right? Put a fabric on the back that ties into the season and VOILA! Flip it over and have a two-sided usable table runner! Here’s one of my favorite ways to make an easy quilt back.
So what do you think? I’d love to hear in the video comments if you’re making the full quilt OR the table runner version, as well as how scrappy you’d get. Would you use the same light purple throughout the quilt? Or various shades? Can’t wait to hear how you’re going to make yours!!
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