Being a beginner can be scary and overwhelming, so here are 10 free patterns to help you get started on your quilting journey. Many of these are precut friendly so you don’t have to do as much fabric cutting. Just click the numbered pattern titles to be taken to the pattern!

What Makes A Quilt Pattern Perfect For A Beginner?

• Quilts Patterns with straight-forward, simple piecing. Look for patterns that are easy to assemble and use simple basic shapes such as large squares or rectangles. In my opinion, your first couple of quilting projects should be quick and easy to ensure you finish them and build up your “quilting confidence”
• Precuts. Another suggestion for a beginner quilting pattern is one that is made using precuts.

1. Simple Zig Zag 

This simple quilt pattern is made using all charm packs. (5-inch squares) The beginner quilt pattern looks like it might be complicated, but the pattern comes together quickly.

2. Gingham Glory 

This simple quilt pattern is a modern take on the gingham pattern but red, white, and blue themed. You can easily use charm packs (5 inch squares) for this entire quilt, or you can buy yardage and cut it to size.

3. Seaside Square In Square From A Jellyroll Quilt

This free pattern is just a quilt block tutorial – not an actual printable pattern, but it is easy to put together a few blocks to make a quilt. Plus it starts with a jellyroll!

4. Fresh Diamonds

This pattern is a great skill builder for half-square-triangles (HST)

5. Fast Four Patch Quilt Tutorial

Four patch quilts are easy, fast and beginner-friendly. This one really is fast and easy since it combines a four patch with a larger “patch” for less cutting and piecing, but basically the same look!

6. Easy Chevron Quilt

This Easy Chevron Quilt tutorial is not an actual quilt pattern. It is a tutorial on how to make easy chevrons out of half-square triangles, using layer cakes. (Layer cakes are precut 10 by 10 squares.)

7. Quick And Easy Basket Weave Quilt

This simple basket weave pattern is perfect for a beginner quilter or someone who just likes a quick and easy project. The quilt pattern is designed for 10 inch precuts, but yardage works great too.

8. Baby Boutique Quilt Pattern

This particular free quilt pattern is a bit more labor-intensive, but still beginner-friendly.

9. Double Hourglass Block Quilt

Although this is a tutorial for just the block, its still a great pattern that can be used with a jelly roll (2.5″ precut strips)

10. Simple Chain Quilt Pattern

This pattern is a basic and classic 2 color quilt, but could easily be modified to be multiple colors. It is written for charm packs, or 5 inch squares.