10 Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners
If you’re looking to get started with quilting but feel intimidated by complex designs, these simple quilt patterns are for you. As a longtime quilter, I’ve tried my hand at all kinds of quilts – from intricate applique to fast and easy patchworks. Over the years, I’ve realized the simplest designs are often the most beautiful. They allow your fabric choices and careful stitching to shine.
In this article, I’ll share 10 easy quilt patterns that are perfect for novice quilters. Each one uses basic piecework that any sewist can handle. You’ll be amazed by how stunning these quilts look despite their ease. So whether you want a cozy lap quilt or a large bed covering, here are some top picks to get you quilting without stress!
1. Nine-Patch Quilt
The nine-patch is about as simple as it gets for quilt patterns. It’s constructed from strips of fabric sewn into nine-patch blocks that are then joined. I made my first nine-patch quilt as a kid and it’s still one of my favorites. Pro-tip: Pick fabrics in different scales, from small prints to large florals, for visual interest. The blocks come together fast so this is a great instant gratification project.
2. Irish Chain Quilt
Similar to the nine-patch in assembly, the Irish chain adds just a bit more intrigue with the way the blocks are pieced. Another easy beginner design, it’s very forgiving if your seams aren’t perfect. There are countless Irish chain variations too involving different block shapes, so you can keep making them without getting bored. Totally tubular, dude!
3. Rail Fence Quilt
Who doesn’t love the classic rail fence design? Its alternating light-dark-light strips are so simple yet so pleasing to the eye. Like, no joke, I could gaze at a well-made rail fence quilt all day. Plus, it really lets those scrappy fabrics shine. Grab some charm squares or fat quarters and you’ll be set. Though simple, rail fences often have that “wow!” factor that more intricate patterns lack.
4. String Quilt
String quilts are basically the OG fast quilt. All you do is sew strings of fabric crosswise between two outer borders or backings. So relaxing! While basic, they showcase fabrics beautifully. And they make cuddly lap quilts in no time. From my experience, string quilts are quite forgiving of a wonky seam here or there too. No stress, just string-aneous fun!

5. Log Cabin Quilt
The log cabin is a step up in complexity from the previous patterns but remains super accessible. Many log cabin variations exist too, like flying geese, to mix it up. I find the log cabin motif very soothing to construct repeat by repeat. You also get that rewarding feeling of building outward from the central square. An easy log cabin was my first attempt at applique too. Highly recommend as a beginner project.
“So in Summary… “
To recap the easy patterns so far – nine-patch, Irish chain, rail fence, string quilt, and log cabin are all pretty kindergarten level as quilts go. You basically can’t mess them up. But they have great wow factor. So if you’re nervous about piecing tiny triangles or complicated blocks, these are foolproof.
Speaking of foolproof patterns, I’ve saved some next-level easy designs that require even less precise piecing than the above. Read on for those truly no-brainer options!
6. Jelly Roll Race Quilt
No lie, Jelly Roll Race was my intro to modern quilting and it slaps, yo. All you do is cut jelly roll strips lengthwise and sew them together in diagonal rows. No fussy cutting, no measuring – just straight lines. It comes together in no time and looks insanely cool. This is the one to pick if you want that “I made a quilt?!” feeling fast.
7. Strip Quilt
Taking the Jelly Roll Race concept up a notch, a strip quilt involves cutting fabric strips of any width and sewing them edge to edge into rows. Talk about simple! Yet the result is so eye-catching and scrappy. My strip quilt taught me seams really don’t need to be perfect. Free your mind and the rest will follow suit.
“Think Outside the Block”
Stepping away from traditional block-based piecing, the following designs feature alternative construction methods. They may seem unfamiliar at first but are total bats in terms of ease. So if you think outside the block, these outside-the-box options are well within reach.

8. Crazy Quilt
Crazy quilting lets you indulge all your scrappy urges without any structure or rules. Just sew random pieces of fabric together any which way. The finished product has exquisite texture and harkens back to genteel Victorian quilting parties of yore. Not gonna lie, crazy quilting is kind of zen and your inner child will love it.
9. Modular Quilting
Modular construction eliminates a lot of piecing stress by dividing the quilt into smaller sections or modules that connect. Try simple squares, rectangles or diagonals to start. Assemble the pieces individually then join. This lets you quit for the day mid-module too without frustration. Bonus – the modules make nice smaller gifts on their own!
10. Embellished Top Quilt
Last but not least, you can even skip foundation piecing entirely for an embellished top quilt. Simply layer a backing, batting and colorful fabric scraps, then add fun trims, ribbons and embellishments on top. Go wild with freehand stitching. While this pattern requires no sewing skills, you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind showstopper! Who needs perfect technique when you’ve got pizazz?
To recap, these 10 easy quilt patterns offer simple solutions for beginning quilters of any skill level. Whether you fancy traditional patchwork or non-traditional novelty, there’s a stress-free design for you. With a little fabric, thread and patience, you’ll be making gorgeous quilts in no time. Now get stitching – can’t wait to see your first projects!
Quilt Designs To Consider For Your Project
Design | Level of Difficulty | Best for Fabrics | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Patchwork | Easy | Solid colors, prints | Classic design, Beginner friendly |
Applique | Intermediate | Prints, solids | Use fabrics to add shapes/images |
Pieced | Intermediate | Prints, solids | Cut fabrics into pieces, sew together |
Wholecloth | Easy | One solid fabric | Simple design looks like a printed quilt |
Embroidery | Difficult | Quilting cottons | Add detailed stitching by hand or machine |
FAQ
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What are some simple quilt designs that are easy to make?
Some fairly straightforward quilt patterns that don’t require a ton of sewing skill are the quilt-as-you-go design, patchwork blocks like tee shirts or nine patches, strip piecing which involves sewing long strips of fabric together, and the classic rail fence design made by alternating strips. The wagon wheel is another basic one made with circles.
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Do easy quilt designs still look nice?
Certainly! Despite being pretty basic, simple quilt patterns can still create a blanket that appears quite attractive. At the same time, easy does not mean boring – basic designs allow you to showcase beautiful fabrics. With the right fabric selection and thoughtful layout, a quilt using a fundamental pattern like squares or strips may look amazing.
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What kinds of fabrics work best for simple quilts?
Solid cottons or prints with low contrast are ideal for basic quilt designs because they don’t distract from the overall piecing. Nevertheless, you can still have fun with the fabric choices by picking coordinating colors and textures like flannel, corduroy or minky. Just avoid overly busy prints that may detract from the focus of the quilt structure.
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How hard is it really to piece a simple quilt?
While sewing small, precise seams takes some practice, basically anyone can learn the skills for easy quilting patterns. The technique itself is fairly straightforward – simply lay out and sew your shapes together using a 1/4″ seam. Sewing straight lines becomes second nature with a little effort. On the other hand, simple quilts are very forgiving of any errors since the overall design disguises small imperfections. With patience perhaps even a beginner can complete a basic quilt design.
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How long does it take to make a quilt with an easy pattern?
The time commitment can vary widely depending on the specific quilt design, your skill level, and how much you work on it each day. Nevertheless, you may be able to complete a simple pattern like squares or strips in under a month if putting in an hour or two of sewing daily. For folks with less experience, it could potentially take longer – maybe around 50 hours for a basic lap-sized quilt. But with an uncomplicated layout, the actual piecing work should only take a few days at most despite any tyros.
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Are beginners quilts worth the effort?
“Is starting out with simple patterns really worth it?” you may wonder. But believe it or not, even stunning first quilts can become treasured keepsakes and building that fundamental piecing ability sets the stage for much more ambitious projects down the road. In that sense, absolutely – spending time crafting an easy design helps gain essential skills at little cost while creating something amazing for gifting or home decor. Perhaps it’s an outstanding way for a rookie to get hooked on this enjoyable hobby!
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What other elements besides piecing affect how basic a quilt is?
The structure is a huge factor in a quilt’s simplicity, amazingly not the sole determinant though. While basic block patterns keep piecing straightforward, other aspects like minimal embellishments or absence of applique can also keep a project easy. Where a design incorporates many techniques like English Paper Piecing combined with complex applique, it’s clearly more involved. But maybe restricting extra aspects allows focus on mastering key piecing through less fussy starter quilts.
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Do most quilters start with simple patterns?
It seems like the majority of folks easing into quilting choose to begin with the most uncomplicated designs. According to my friend who works at a fabric store, she’d say over 90% of new hobbyists opt for elementary patterns as they sort of learn the ropes. But perhaps quilting wisdom suggests baby steps are ideal versus diving into overly fancy projects prematurely. In that light, the simple route represents a sensible starting point before progressing to more advanced techniques.