Needlecrafts Quilting Quilting Patterns

19 Free and Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners

Learn How to Sew a Quick and Fun Quilt

Patchwork quilt
Tavia / Getty Images

If you're looking for an easy quilt pattern, explore this collection of simple projects that are perfect for beginning quilters. They're all written with detailed instructions and include illustrations that take you through the construction process in a step-by-step manner. The goal is to make assembly an easy task so you finish the project and get to enjoy the joys of quilting.

Whether you're looking for your first quilt pattern or searching for a quick weekend project, these patterns work great for quilters of all experience levels. They will also show you just how easy it is to make a quilt, even if the block pattern looks super complex.​

  • 01 of 19

    Nine Patch Bento Box Quilt

    Nine Patch Bento Box Quilt

    Laura

    This easy Bento Box quilt is a variation on the popular design. It features a nine-patch block at its center and is a great introduction to quilting.

    The quilt is strip pieced. The instructions help you make sure that every piece of patchwork is exactly the right size before you move on to the next step. It's a striking design and a great project for anyone, even if it's your very first quilt.

  • 02 of 19

    Dancing Nine Patch Quilt

    Dancing Nine Patch Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    It's hard not to fall in love with the slightly curved appearance of this quilt. The illusion emerges when the nine patch quilt blocks are surrounded on two sides by a scrappy assortment of squares. These are then flip-flopped to create the layout.

    The dancing nine patch quilt is a perfect project for scrap quilt lovers. It can be configured using a themed approach, too.

  • 03 of 19

    Easy Hunter's Star Quilt

    Hunter's Star Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    The hunter's star quilt pattern looks a bit complicated at first glance. In reality, though, the quilt is pretty simple to construct, even if you are a beginning quilter.

    As with any quilt, it's important to understand a few construction basics before you begin and practice new skills if necessary. The pattern includes advice on all the basics, just in case you need to refer to them before it's time to sit down and sew.

  • 04 of 19

    Kaleidoscope Quilt

    Kaleidoscope Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    The kaleidoscope is another quilt that looks more complicated than it truly is. The quilt blocks are sewn on-point, a technique that beginning quilters often try to avoid, but there's no need to fear it.

    Once you've sewn a few on-point quilts you'll feel comfortable with the technique. This kaleidoscope pattern is a good starting point for acquiring that new skill, along with many others you'll learn along the way.

    Continue to 5 of 19 below
  • 05 of 19

    Star Crossing Quilt With Piano Key Borders

    Star Crossing Quilt with Piano Key Borders
    Janet Wickell

    Star crossing is another quilt pattern that may seem complicated. Although it takes a little while to assemble, the design really is easy to put together.

    Another pattern that will help you build skills, use this quilt to learn one way to sew the popular piano key border. It's one you'll turn to over and over again because it looks great with almost any field pattern.

  • 06 of 19

    Easy Contemporary Baby Quilt

    Contemporary Baby Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    If you want to start quilting on a smaller scale, a baby-sized quilt is a perfect choice. The quilt blocks for this project are extremely simple to make, so beginning quilters can stitch this one with ease.

    This quilt also has a wonderful contemporary pattern that is just begging for you to play with fun pops of color. The double-framed four-patch pattern is just one of your layout options, so it's a nice project to test your design skills.

  • 07 of 19

    X's and O's Quilt

    X's and O's Baby Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    This version of the X's and O's quilt allows the individual letters to shine. It does so by sewing blocks into two configurations and adding sashing in between.

    The letters have a rather scrappy look. Yet, each quilt block is made from the same two fabrics: a focal (for the letter) and a background. You can also build this one to any size you like.

  • 08 of 19

    Double Four Patch Scrap Quilt

    Double Framed Four Patch Quilt Pattern
    Betty Johnson

    The easy quilt blocks in this pattern finish at 8 inches square. You can sew the quilt using a theme or go very scrappy and use up excess material.

    The double four patch is suitable for all quilters, even if it's your first project. Also, you can easily transform the quilt patch to give it extra dimension by adding sashing within each patch. It's a fun one to experiment with and you could use the pattern to sew many quilts without any two looking alike.

    Continue to 9 of 19 below
  • 09 of 19

    Bricks & Cobblestones Quilt

    Bricks and Cobblestones Quilt Blocks
    Colene

    Here's a lively quilt block pattern that is too much fun to pass up. Scrap quilt fans will love how much of your stash this one eats up and the more vibrant and crazy the fabrics, the better.

    You'll make these easy quilt blocks from tone-on-tone and brightly colored fabrics printed with geometrics, stripes, dots, and other small motifs. One block is square, the other is rectangular—make them both and assemble the quilt in a mix-and-match manner.

  • 10 of 19

    Simplified Puff Quilt

    Easy Puff Quilt Pattern
    Mary Jane Cardwell

    Puff quilts are also known as biscuit quilts and they are ultra plush and super comfy. The trick is to sew each square with some leeway so you can fill each pocket with fiberfill.

    While this may seem like a daunting task, a few tips and tricks will make the process much easier. The fluffy comforter-like feel is worth the effort and this is a great gift for babies.

  • 11 of 19

    Quick and Easy Rag Quilt

    Easy Rag Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    Rag quilts are soft and cuddly, so they are excellent lap quilts for a chilly day. A soft rag quilt makes a nice gift for both children and adults, but be sure to make a few for yourself, too.

    Rag quilts go together quickly and free you from the stress of sewing absolutely perfect seams. This is a bonus if you're a beginning quilter. You can complete this easy rag quilt pattern in just a day or two, even if you've never made a quilt before.

  • 12 of 19

    Easy Framed Nine Patch Quilt

    Easy Framed Nine Patch Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    This easy quilt is made from nine patch blocks that are surrounded by frames. The dark bars opposite the light bars really make it stand out. The adjoining blocks are then flip-flopped when sewn into horizontal rows to create a somewhat stair-step appearance.

    You can really make this orientation change pop by using contrasting fabrics. Optionally, you can let it blend a bit with fabrics of similar color value. The instructions include two sizes, a bed quilt made with 10-inch square quilt blocks and a baby quilt made with 5-inch square blocks.

    Continue to 13 of 19 below
  • 13 of 19

    Easy Rail Fence Baby Quilt

    Sew a Rail Fence Baby Quilt
    Janet Wickell

    Sew this easy rail fence baby quilt in just a few colors as shown, or add a variety of fabrics. Either way, this strip-pieced quilt goes together quickly.

    You can also customize the border as you see fit. This pattern includes a narrow inner border that stops the busier pattern, which is a nice touch.

  • 14 of 19

    Simple Rail Fence Quilt

    Easy Rail Fence Bed Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    When you explore quilts you'll find lots of different variations of the rail fence design. This bed quilt is one example and it differs significantly from the baby quilt above. It features a stair-step pattern of rails that gives the quilt tons of movement, even with muted colors.

    The good news is that nearly every rail fence quilt is easy to sew. That's why they are much loved by quilters of every skill level.

  • 15 of 19

    Floral Snowballs Quilt

    Floral Snowball Quilt
    Janet Wickell

    Snowball quilt blocks are so easy to make that you can assemble buckets of them in no time. Sort your floral quilting fabrics and make a scrappy quilt in any size you like. These blocks finish at 6 inches square.

    The best thing about the snowball pattern is that the options are endless. When you're ready to take on a slightly more complex variation, take a look at the ​snowball quilt pattern.

  • 16 of 19

    Easy Jigsaw Puzzle Quilt

    Easy Jigsaw Puzzle Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    Traditional H quilt blocks are used to make a version of the popular jigsaw puzzle quilt. The blocks are easy to assemble. You'll just need to remain aware of fabric placement so the puzzle pieces emerge as they should.

    The pattern walks you through the layout one step at a time. The pattern is made with 6-inch quilt blocks, but you'll also find instructions for 9- and 12-inch blocks if you'd like to go a little bigger.

    Continue to 17 of 19 below
  • 17 of 19

    Endless Stairs Quilt

    Endless Stairs Quilt Block Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    Endless stairs is a quilt pattern that has a lot of creative potential. The blocks go together quickly and are easy to make, leaving you free to concentrate more on color and contrast than technique.

    As you begin to play with the finished blocks, you'll also discover lots of different layouts. Piece them together how you like or follow the instructions exactly, your quilt will be great either way.

  • 18 of 19

    Bonnie Scotsman Quilt

    Bonnie Scotsman Quilt
    Janet Wickell

    The Bonnie Scotsman is assembled with straight grain bars and squares. You'll have no stretchy bias edges to deal with, and that means it's definitely a beginner-friendly patchwork pattern.

    You'll find instructions for assembling it one patch at a time, which is perfect for scrappy quilts. There is also a strip-piecing option for anyone who wants to make a batch of identical blocks. Two layout suggestions are included as well, but many more arrangements are possible for this versatile design.

  • 19 of 19

    Scrappy Hearts Wallhanging

    Patchwork Heart Quilt Pattern
    Janet Wickell

    Every quilter needs a good heart-shaped pattern and this one's perfect for beginners. These 6-inch heart blocks are adorable and the pattern shows you how easy they are to create.

    You'll find instructions for assembling the scrappy hearts into a wallhanging as well. Whether it's a quick weekend project or a full-sized quilt, it's a fun and simple pattern once you get going.