I’ve spent the last few months searching the web for beginner quilt patterns. Today I’m going to share with you what I’ve found, most of them are free quilt patterns! If you like this post you may also enjoy this article on 3 tips for beginner quilters.
One of the MOST frequent questions I get from readers is, I don’t know how to quilt but I want to, what is a good place to start? How do I make a quilt?
Having been a beginner quilter in the not too distant past I can totally relate to where they are coming from. The quilting world at times can seem overwhelming and a bit hard to “break into”.
If you want to learn how to make a quilt from start to finish then I recommend diving right into one of these patterns or tutorials. In my opinion, the best way to learn how to do something new is just to do it!
Aside from taking on a new quilting project, here are a few other resources on this site that I recommend if you’re wanting to learn how to make a quilt.
Tips to help you learn How to Make a Quilt
1- 3 Tips for Beginning Quilters
If you’re brand new to quilting these are a few tips that I think are really helpful. Things that I did wrong when I first started to quilt. Sometimes simple changes in what you are doing can make a big difference.
2- Quilting Basics
This post covers the very basics of quilting. What tools you need, how to cut your fabric and some common quilting terms. It’s a must-read before you dive right in.
3- Quilt Block Constructions Tips
Once you get started quilting you’ll notice that you’re making quilt blocks a lot. I think most people start out with a simple patchwork row quilt, then branch out into a quilt that features a series of blocks. If you’re reading to move onto making quilt blocks, then the quilt block construction tips post I think is a big help.
4- Polka Dot Chair Free Quilt Block of the Month Series
Once you’re ready to start making quilt blocks you may enjoy my Block of the Month series. It’s a series of quilt blocks shared one month at a time designed to create an entire quilt. The year of the blocks is up but you can still find all of the blocks in the archives.
5- How to Pick Fabrics for a Quilt
One of the hardest things for people who are learning how to quilt is deciding what fabrics and colors to use. I even struggle with this at times. This post is designed as a jumping-off point to help you get started while choosing the fabric for your quilt.
6- Tips to Improve your Quilt Piecing
After you’ve stitched up your first quilt, you may notice that quilt piecing can be tricky at times. I’m a self-taught quilter and typed up a bunch of tips to help you out! Things that I wish I knew before I started quilting.
7- How to Make a Quilt from Start to Finish
If you’re brand new to quilting and don’t know where to start, I’ve created a “go to” guide to help you out.
Now please enjoy these 45 quilt patterns and tutorials PERFECT for beginning quilters!
45+ Quilt Patterns for Beginners:
Polka Dot Chair Free Quilt Patterns
How to Make a Simple Patchwork Quilt. If you’re a beginner there are few quilts more simple to make than a simple patchwork quilt. They are also one of my favorite quilts as I think they are just so charming. If you have novelty fabrics that you want to “show off” patchwork quilts are a great option!
1. Triangle Quilt Tutorial (not a full pattern). However, I do share with you my process of creating a simple patchwork quilt. You don’t always need a pattern. In this case, I stitched and cut out triangles until I found a layout I was happy with. If you’re someone who likes to “figure it out as you go” then you may like this method for making a quilt.
2.Hexagon Quilt Tutorial. Hexagons are usually pretty tricky to piece and the technique is usually not recommended for beginning quilters. However, I figured out a “cheater” way to make a hexagon quilt that is perfect for someone who is new to quilting.
3.Color Blocked Baby Quilt. This quilt uses 5″ pre-cut squares, usually called Charm Packs to save time. There is nothing to cut out when you use this method.
4.Simple Chevron Quilted Throw Tutorial. This is a VERY easy pattern that is perfect for a beginner because there are only 9 squares.
5. How to make a photo quilt- This is a unique take on a simple patchwork quilt. Some of the fabric squares in the quilt are replaced with photos printed on fabric.
6. Dresden Burst Baby Quilt Pattern. This pattern is a bit more advanced but totally “do-able” for a beginning quilter. I wouldn’t recommend this as your FIRST quilting project, but 2 or 3rd I’d say go for it!
7. Patchwork Quilt Pattern. I love a Simple Patchwork Quilt! This quilt was a gift and remains one of my favorite quilt finishes. If you are BRAND new to quilting and have never made a quilt, then a simple patchwork design is a great place to start.
8. Strips Quilt. Matching corners when you’re quilting is one of the things that I find new quilters struggle with most. This quilt is pieced together in a way that there are no corners to match! It also features a unique cutting method which helps you to save time.
9. Soft N Snuggly Baby Quilt. This Sensory Quilt is great baby quilt to give as a gift. It features several different textures of fabric which makes it perfect for a baby. It’s also only made from strips of fabric so there are no corners to match.
10. Snuggly Bricks Quilt. This quilt is made from a 10″ stacker of fabric. Each piece is cut in half then sewn back together again.
11. His & Hers Baby Quilts. This quilt features piecing only along the borders of the quilt making it great for beginners.
12. Fat Quarter Baby Quilt. This quilt is made using Fat Quarters
A fat quarter of fabric: Is a pre-cut piece of fabric that measures 18″ x 22″. It is called a fat quarter because it is a 1/4 yard of fabric that is cut to yield a larger piece of fabric. It is a piece of fabric, commonly used in quilting. Fat Quarters are usually sold in a package with several fat quarters of fabric in different yet coordinating prints.
13. Snuggly Layer Cake Throw. This quilt is made from a 10″ stacker of fabric to save time cutting. The only yardage needed is for the back of the quilt and the binding.
Giant Star Baby Quilt – This baby quilt pattern is great for beginners because the pieces are large and not as fussy to sew as some quilts with smaller pieces.
14. Queen Size Patchwork Quilt. I created this quilt using simple squares organized in rows by color. It’s is large enough to fit on a queen-size bed.
Free Quilt Patterns from Quilt Blogs
There are so many great Quilt Blogs online now. Here are a few beginner patterns from some of my favorite Quilt Blogs.
15. Strip & Flip Quilt Tutorial
16. Weekend Flannel Squares Quilt Tutorial
17. Baby Quilt made from Scraps
19. Charm Quilt
20. Sunny Tied Quilt
22. Road Trip Quilt
24. Seeing Red Quilt
25. Easy Baby Quilt
27. iSpy Baby Quilt
28. Patchwork Quilt
30. Striped Quilt
31. Half Square Triangle Baby Quilt
32. Churn Dash Quilt
34. Strips Quilt
35. Fast 4 Patch Quilt Tutorial
36. Polaroid Quilt – this tutorial has been removed. You can find a tutorial to make Polaroid Quilt Blocks HERE
40. Plus Quilt
41. How to make a Quilt from Start to Finish
44. Clementine Quilt (from Craftsy Class)
45. Simple Heart Quilt Tutorial
Newest Free Quilt Patterns
I keep this post updated regularly so you guys always have access to some of the best free quilt patterns and tutorials. These patterns are new patterns since the first time this post was published.
Scrappy Strips Free Baby Quilt Pattern
Sundance Quilt Pattern – A Modern, Simple Southwest Inspired Quilt Pattern
Quilt Patterns to Buy for Beginning Quilters
(these are not free, but come with LOADS of tips, photos, and instructions to help you out)
Gingham Daydream Quilt Pattern
Patchwork Safari Quilt Pattern
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Some great quilts here, thanks for sharing!
Love this! It is hard to know where to start when you learn how to quilt. I took a quilting class and each week we made a different square that made up a big quilt of different squares, it was really fun. Mostly I like making up my own patterns and designs 🙂
I’m going to start a similar program here on the blog– each month a different block that will teach a few new skills. Then after a while everyone will have a finished quilt.
Hi :D….these are not only great for beginners BUT sometimes we just want to do a quick quilt 😛
Get idea for gathering them together for us ….appreciate that.
(i will be passing this on to my learning to sew friends LOL )
Take care
Yeah that’s kinda what I was thinking too! Sometimes I love delving into a big project and sometimes I just need to get something done quick! It’s always nice to have a bit of a balance.
It’s hard to pick a quilt because they are all so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I love the triangle quilt. I am wondering what size the triangles are, and when finish, how big is the quilt? Thank you!
Hi!
What quilt pattern is between photos 12 and 13? The photo is a girl wrapped in a quilt.
Nice article, beautiful quilts!
Thank you,
Cathy
It’s the Snuggly bricks quilt. Just click on the words below the photo and it will take you to the tutorial
I’m looking for the same one. ?????
I just love quilts and I want to get into this.
Hi Melissa, I already receive your news letter, and wanted you to know I love your blog. I am mostly home bound and live, ummm look at Pinterest a lot. ? I love this triangle quil and am going to give it a try. I am always clicking on sewing tutorials and it lead to the Polka Dot Chair. Thanks, Camille
I really enjoyed all the pics posted and can picture using all the fabric I have laying around.
will love to see something finished soon lol
thank you for this post
Thanks.! I plan to try some of these. ? As an FYI: Your pin it button on images sends the iPad wonky. It opened my Pinterest app over and over while I frantically tried to close it and I finally had to shut down the iPad. The pin share at the end of the post works fine though. So check whatever plugin you use to add the button to the images, it is causing mobile issues.!
They are all so lovely! But there isn’t a link to the polaroid quilt?
So glad I found this site! I am always looking for not so difficult patterns!
Looking for a tumbling block pattern for a full-size bed without the Y seams.
I love your simple but beautiful quilt patterns!
I would like to purchase your book (45 Beginner Quilt Patterns)
Hi, It’s not a book, it’s a blog post. Just click the links in the post for more information about each pattern.
I don’t have very creative bones. So I really appreciate the ideas. I like that I can pin the ideas for later, – I have been having bouts of tendonitis. Sad, cuz I finally have the time and some money to be able to try more diligently to quilt. Tried before and set aside(years ago) and never did see the pillow case I was making as a beginner project. Quite a few in here seemed simply enough. And the definitions of what fat qtrs. are and that 10″ squares can be bought(no cutting), a lot of persons don’t give terminology for the newbies. THANK YOU.
I was looking for simple quilt ideas for my granddaughter to learn to quilt this summer and this site was perfect. We just found out that shes gonna be a big sister again in October and what better way to say I Love You Baby than with a quilt made by babies big sister. Thank you
So glad to be of help!