21 of My Favorite Free Quilt Patterns for Beginner to Intermediate Quilters
Looking for a new quilt pattern to try out? Check out these printable quilt patterns featuring a variety of blocks and designs for quilters of all skill levels. They’re perfect for your next quilting project!
The internet is full of free quilt patterns, which is lovely and overwhelming. I’ve blogged for over 15 years and have shared hundreds of free quilt tutorials.
I’ve sorted through the patterns I’ve shared to give you my best recommendations for 21 Free Quilt Patterns broken down by quilt pattern type and skill level. You’ll find detailed instructions for several easy quilt patterns on this list.
How to Get Free Quilt Patterns
Free quilt patterns on the web usually appear in one of two forms: a free tutorial written online or a downloadable PDF.
I know it can be frustrating to read directions from a website; for this reason, most free quilt patterns on the Polka Dot Chair have a print function! It’s a green button at the bottom of the post. That way, you can print out the step-by-step instructions to keep close by while you work. We have a few older patterns that don’t have this feature yet, but we are working to add it to our older posts quickly!
What is a PDF?
A few of the patterns on this list are PDFs. A PDF is a digital formatted file you download and print yourself at home. The document retains the same formatting regardless of the device on which it’s read. That’s why it’s so great! There is no need to find the right font or page size.
To open a PDF pattern, you need a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free. Most iOS devices can open and read PDF formatted files in the Books app as well.
Most patterns on this list are formatted for online use but include a print button.
A note about free quilt patterns: just because something is free does not mean that it is not copyrighted. All of the projects on this site have been copyrighted. Most designers (myself included) allow you to use our free patterns for personal use. They are not to be used for commercial use or printed and distributed. You can not copy them. If you want to share it with a friend, send them the link to our site.
Why You Should Consider Buying a Quilt Pattern
Most free quilt patterns online are shorter and more abbreviated than patterns you can purchase. This has a lot to do with the limitations of sharing information online.
Every blogger runs their business differently and may offer free quilt patterns in a different format. I’ve found a format that I really feel works well for my amazing readers.
Too much text or too long of a post can slow down a site, and it can be difficult to format the article so that the photos appear in the correct spot.
In addition, the fast pace of the online world does not allow designers to work on a free pattern for months. If I worked that way, there would only be 2-3 posts shared here a year instead of 2-3 a month.
Quilt patterns for purchase (many of them are less than the cost of lunch!) are carefully written, illustrated, and tested. Most of them take months to construct and write. They often include extra tips and video instructions and are edited for accuracy by a 3rd party.
If you’re a beginning quilter, start with a few free tutorials; if you love it, consider buying a pattern from a designer you admire.
I’ve divided the list into three categories—free Quilt Patterns for beginners, free baby quilt patterns, and free confident beginner patterns.
Free Beginner Quilt Patterns
1. How to Make a Simple Patchwork Quilt
Patchwork quilts are great projects for beginning quilters and for more experienced quilters looking for a quick project. In this tutorial for this beginner-friendly quilt, I show you how to make a simple patchwork quilt using a pre-cut stack of fabric.
A simple strip (or striped quilt) is one of the easiest quilts to make. It requires only strips of quilting fabrics, so there are no corners to match, making it the perfect quilt for a beginner looking to make their first quilt. It’s also great if you’re looking for a simple-to-piece, fast quilt pattern!
When people ask me, “What is the quickest quilt to make?” I almost always answer a simple strip quilt.
This triangle quilt is speedy to sew and a great project for a beginning quilter. It can be made from scrap fabrics or a precut Fat Quarter package of fabric.
4. Large Hexagon Quilt Pattern
You could easily use this Large Hexagon Quilt pattern to make a quilt for any season or occasion. It does not have to be a Halloween quilt. This pattern would also make a great baby quilt!
This simple bricks fat quarter free quilt pattern is super snuggly and makes the perfect gift! It’s easy to stitch up, making it the perfect project for someone learning how to quilt.
This quilt pattern and tutorial sews up fast and uses 10″ pre-cut squares (or layer cakes).
Learn how to make a simple quilt using a precut stack of fabric and a quilt panel! It’s a unique way to incorporate a preprinted quilt panel into a finished quilt.
Free Baby Quilt Patterns
8. Simple Herringbone Baby Quilt Pattern
This Herringbone baby quilt pattern features a quick-to-piece eight at a time half-square triangle method.
9. Giant Star Baby Quilt Pattern
This quilt features one large Sawtooth Star Quilt block, sometimes called a variable star.
10. Giant Bear Paw Quilt Pattern
Learn how to make a simple and graphic baby quilt with our free Giant Bear Paw Baby Quilt Pattern. This quilt is precut-friendly and is constructed using 10″ pre-cut squares! This quilt pattern is beginner-friendly.
11. Hunter’s Star Baby Quilt Pattern
This Giant Hunter’s Star Baby quilt pattern is a modern take on a traditional baby quilt. The oversized quilt block allows this quilt to be created quickly in a modern style that will appeal to many new mothers!
12. Patchwork Squares Baby Quilt Tutorial
This quilt pattern features a very simple design without needing a pattern. The blocks are arranged in color order, with the darkest at the top going down to the lightest at the bottom
13. Dresden Burst Baby Quilt Pattern
This baby quilt tutorial features three Dresden quilt blocks scattered on the top of a large piece of fabric.
14. Turnstile Baby Quilt Pattern
Don’t you love projects that are so simple that you can make them in a day? This Turnstile Quilt block baby quilt is one of those projects! It’s so quick to sew that I ended up making two. It would make a great beginner quilt project.
Confident Beginner Free Quilt Patterns
This Sundance Quilt Tutorial. It’s a quick quilt to stitch up as it’s just one giant Squash Blossom Quilt Block!
16. Mint for You Stars Quilt Pattern
This bright and colorful quilt pattern is designed to be used with the Mint for You Fabric Collection by Riley Blake Designs. A piece of fabric from a quilt panel is placed in the center of each star block.
17. Scrappy Triangles Quilt Pattern
Create a snuggly lap quilt out of 3 yards of fabric and a Jelly Roll of fabric with our free Scrappy Triangles Quilt Pattern!
18. Half Square Triangle Variations Quilt Pattern
Turn simple half-square triangle quilt blocks into 10 different baby quilts using our free baby quilt pattern and half-square triangle quilt layout printable!
Free Quilt Block Patterns for Sampler Quilts
19. Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge 2021
Each year, Riley Blake hosts a free quilt along called the Quilt Block Challenge. Each week for 16 weeks, a new quilt block pattern is shared; at the end of the challenge, they also provide finishing instructions. The blocks are suitable for intermediate quilters.
Did you know Riley Blake also shares video tutorials for their quilt block challenge blocks?
The quilt features 6 different quilt blocks. Each block will be named after something I like to do “just for fun”.
21. Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge 2022 Quilt
The 2022 Riley Blake Quilt block challenge quilt pattern is one of my favorite projects. You can still find all of the block patterns on our site.
If you’re looking for a new quilt project to tackle this weekend, I hope you’ll consider one of the free quilt patterns on our list!
If you make a quilt using one of our tutorials, be sure to let us know how it went!
