Fast Quilt Patterns You Can Finish in a Weekend
Sometimes you want the satisfaction of finishing a quilt without committing weeks or months to the process. Quick quilt projects don’t have to look simple or rushed. By choosing patterns that use precut fabrics, strip piecing, or large blocks, you can create a polished, finished quilt in far less time.
Before I dive into my suggestions for quick-to-finish quilts, let me first say that I’m a big fan of slow quilting. Each year, I take on a block-of-the-month quilt and spend an entire year constructing it, block by block. There’s no need to quilt quickly if you don’t want to.
However, there are times when you might need a quick project. Maybe you’re feeling a bit of burnout and need a quick “win,” or perhaps you’re working on a quilt for a new baby that showed up a bit early. Many quilters also make quilts to donate to charities, schools, or hospitals, and may be looking for something a little bit less labor-intensive.
If that’s the case, I’ve got quite a few fun project suggestions for you today!
What Makes a Quilt Fast to Finish
So what makes a quilt fast to finish? This question may be answered differently by different quilters, but there are a few things that you can consistently look for when looking for a quilt pattern to construct that’s a bit quicker than usual.
Look for blocks that are simple to construct (fewer seams and trimming). Large-scale blocks also help, since you’ll need fewer blocks for a completed quilt top. The Heart Quilt blocks shown above only feature a few seams, making them deceivingly easy to sew!
One of the best ways to save time when quilting is to use precuts, which will cut down your cutting time!
Fast Quilt Patterns Using Precuts
I have a few “go-to” patterns that I like to use when I need a quick-to-piece quilt. Each of these patterns is made mostly from precut fabrics.
The Blue Ribbon Shortcut pattern uses a really cool “quick” piece method that you may have seen on my Instagram account recently!
Charm Pack Baby Quilt. This quilt pattern uses just two 5″ precut stacks of fabric. There is no cutting involved at all!
The Gathered Precuts Quilt pattern makes use of a 10″ precut stack of fabric and a bit of extra yardage. There is a bit of cutting involved, but it’s minimal, and if you’re careful, you can cut multiple pieces of fabric at once.
Simple Patchwork Quilt. Patchwork quilts make great projects for beginning quilters. They are also wonderful for more experienced quilters looking for a quick project. This quilt is made from a 10″ precut stack of fabric, so you save time piecing and cutting!
Strip Piecing Quilt Patterns
One of my favorite ways to save time when quilting is to use Strip piecing (you can find a full guide to strip piecing on our site).
This method has you sew strips of fabric together, then subcut them into smaller sections, which are then rearranged and sewn together.
It saves so much time, because there are fewer starts and stops when you’re sewing, and it’s less tedious than sewing dozens of squares of fabric together.
The Gathered Quarters quilt pattern uses this type of piecing. The pattern includes instructions for making the quilt from Fat Quarters in five different sizes, from Baby to King.
The Simple Irish Chain baby quilt uses strip piecing to quickly construct the blocks in the quilt.
American Flag Blocks. These American Flag quilt blocks can be made using strip piecing if you’re using leftover 2 1/2″ strips from a precut pack. Simply sew the red and white sections together in groups of 3 and 4, then cut to the length noted in the tutorial.
Large Block Quilt Patterns
I’ve had fun over the last few years making quilts featuring a single oversized quilt block. Most of these quilts have been baby quilt patterns. I think it’s a fun modern take on a more traditional quilt, plus it’s so much faster than making a dozen or so individual blocks.
The Hunter’s Star baby quilt is constructed from soft chambray fabric and a variety of low-volume fabric prints.
The Bear Paw Baby quilt is actually pretty big for a baby quilt; it’s almost toddler- or lap-size. This quilt is made using a 10″ precut stack of fabric, further saving piecing time.
The Giant Star Baby quilt is one of the most popular quilt patterns on our site. It’s another one that can be easily customized to the recipient and tends to be a bit more modern than a traditional quilt.
Tips to Finish a Quilt in a Weekend
If you’re truly looking to finish this quilt up in a weekend, here are a few tips! If you’re headed to a retreat, some of these tips might be helpful for that as well!
- Chain piecing to save time
- Pre-cut everything before sewing
- Use a simple quilting method (straight-line quilting) so you don’t have to wait for a long-arm quilter
- Skip complex borders or bindings
- Set realistic goals for each day
Finishing a quilt in a weekend is completely doable when you choose the right pattern and approach the process with a plan. Simple designs, efficient techniques, and thoughtful fabric choices can help you move from cutting to binding much faster than you might expect.
If you’re short on time or just want the satisfaction of a quick finish, start with one of these fast quilt patterns and focus on progress over perfection.
