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Whether you’re sewing a quilt for your own baby or making one to give as a gift, baby quilts make memorable keepsakes that can be used for years. We’ve put together35 free baby quilt patterns, so that you can choose your favorite design for a little one in your life.
Free Baby Quilt Patterns
Baby quilts make fun, low-commitment quilting projects. Because of their smaller size, many baby quilt tops can be completed in an afternoon.
Most of the free quilt patterns included in this post are simple and can be made even by beginners. If it’s your first time making a quilt, a baby quilt is an excellent place to start.
What’s the Easiest Baby Quilt Pattern for Beginners?
The easiest baby quilts are made from large squares or thick, long strips of fabric. The bigger your quilt blocks are, the less sewing you will need to do to piece your quilt top, and the easier it will be. Using precut fabrics, such as fat quarters orjelly rolls, is another way to simplify your quilt.
Even the most basic baby quilt patterns can be fascinating to babies, especially when made with contrasting colors or bold hues.
Free Baby Quilt Patterns and Tutorials
Here are 35 free baby quilt patterns and tutorials to choose from. Whether you are a new quilter looking for their first project, or an experienced quilter looking for design inspiration, you're sure to find your next pattern in this list.
1
Giant Star Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This simple baby quilt is sewn up in one big block, rather than piecing together smaller blocks. Since the pieces are fairly big, it makes a super quick project. You can probably have this quilt top sewn up in just a couple of hours!
If you find you have a lot of babies in your life, sew up this gender-neutral baby quilt pattern to have it ready as a practical and beautiful gift for the next little one who comes along!
2
A Pink Classic Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:cluckclucksew.com
Ahh, the classic hourglass blocks…but make it baby-themed! This quilt measures 32" x 41", but if you want to adjust the total finished size, just cut your original squares a bit bigger or smaller.
3
Wildwood Crib Quilt
Photo Credit:www.bonjourquilts.com
This pattern is named after the gorgeous fabric line it features: Wildwood. You can use any fabric you like though - these simple squares make it easy to feature your favorite designs. Using a fat quarter bundle is the quickest and easiest way to make this quilt pattern.
4
Soft 'n Snuggly Sensory Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Babies LOVE textures, so this sensory quilt will keep your favorite little one busy exploring all of the different fabrics. The other great benefit of this quilt is that you can use up strips of whatever type of fabric you have. To help avoid fabrics shrinking differently after your quilt is finished, you'll want to wash each piece before making your quilt.
5
Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
Because this baby quilt is made of simple bricks, it's really easy to adjust the size however you like. As written, the finished quilt size is 42" x 54". If you want it bigger or smaller, just add or take away a few bricks.
6
Modern Triangle Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:seekatesew.com
If you want a fairly quick quilt that has slightly more interest than simple blocks, this quilt is a great choice. The triangles add some more variety to the pattern, but because of their decently large size, this quilt is still pretty easy to piece together and can be made in a short amount of time.
7
Simple Checkerboard Pink Patchwork Quilt
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
Here's a super sweet baby quilt pattern for a little girl. I love the i-spy blocks that are scattered throughout to make this quilt fun and interesting. You just know that a little one is going to grow up loving the special and unique prints on her own personal quilt.
8
Simple Sawtooth Star Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Here's a pretty classic quilt pattern that's designed just a bit smaller to make a sweet baby quilt. The three sawtooth stars are arranged throughout the patchwork to give this quilt some variety. It's a great way to show off your favorite fabrics.
9
Twisted Ribbons Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:suzyquilts.com
The eye-catching design on this quilt actually makes it look like it's full of beautiful, twisted ribbons. You'll want to try to get your points to line up in order to really create that twisted ribbon look, but don't stress if they're not perfect.
10
Half Square Triangle Quilt Layouts & Free Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This quilt pattern is really cool, because it comes with 10 different design options! You'll start by creating 64 half-square triangle blocks. Then, look through the layouts to choose your absolute favorite design. Can you believe there are so many options all made with the same 64 original blocks?
11
Easy Layer Cake Baby Quilt pattern
Photo Credit:www.quiltylove.com
Nope, this quilt didn't get its name because it looks like a cake! A layer cake is actually a package of 10" x 10" squares of coordinating fabric offered by Moda Fabrics. They're super handy because they offer lovely coordinating prints without you having to spend hours picking them out.
12
Scrappy Posie Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:www.bonjourquilts.com
This rainbow quilt is excellent for using up your fabric scraps. Start by organizing your fabrics into piles by color. Then, you can piece together your triangles. There are so many possibilities with this quilt depending on the scrap fabrics you have, so each one will be totally unique!
13
Simple Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:www.seasonedhomemaker.com
This little quilt is made of half-square triangles and is super easy to make, even for first-time quilters. I love how the pastel baby designs pair with the plain, neutral fabric to create a really simple yet sweet look.
14
Little Houses Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:suzyquilts.com
Aren't the little houses created by this pattern just adorable? This eye-catching quilt is great for beginners, and it would make such a cute gift for a little one!
15
When You Wish…Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.bonjourquilts.com
This adorable baby mat can be quilted even by beginners. Buy fat quarters, cut triangles, and sew them into squares. Once you get in the groove, you can pretty quickly knock these half-square triangles out and then piece them together to form this colorful play mat quilt.
16
Rainbow Baby Quilt with Cricut
Photo Credit:seekatesew.com
Cricut crafters, this is your quilt! Use your Cricut tools to cut out the adorable rainbow for this baby blanket. It's perfect for celebrating the arrival of a rainbow baby, but any little one will love enjoying the colors of this beautiful pastel quilt pattern.
17
Easy Baby Coin Quilt
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
This coin quilt is super quick to make. It's made of three long panels, and only one of them requires piecing. You can put it together in half a day. I love the simplicity of this beautiful quilt.
18
When Skies are Grey Quilt
Photo Credit:www.simplesimonandco.com
This modern baby quilt pattern is so simple. Have fun personalizing it and choosing fabrics that you absolutely love. It's easy to show them off with this quilt! The thick, dark border is what really helps give it a modern feel.
19
Herringbone Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:annaelizabethmade.blogspot.com
To make this herringbone pattern, you'll start out by creating half-square triangles. Then, you can arrange them into the herringbone pattern shown, or you can choose a different arrangement. Look through this post to see more options for arranging your bi-colored blocks.
20
1+1 Modern Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
This pattern is excellent for using up leftover solid fabric pieces, but you could totally throw some patterns in if you want. The rectangles are cut at 3.5", which means they can easily be salvaged from strips of fabric you may have lying around. You can make the strips as long as you want!
21
Giant Gingham Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:www.simplesimonandco.com
Made with just three colors, this gingham baby quilt is fantastically simple. Keep it classic with the red and white pattern, or switch it up with blues, greens, or whatever color suits your fancy. Just sew your 5" blocks into rows, and then sew your rows together, and your quilt top is done!
22
Squared Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:suzyquilts.com
This quilt is perfect for showcasing your absolute favorite patterns for little ones. The theme of the quilt that's pictured is modes of transportation, but it would be super easy to personalize this with whatever fun theme you'd like.
23
Checkered Streets Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:weallsew.com
This antique-style quilt looks like it just might be the next family heirloom. The blocks take a little bit of time to piece together, but it's so worth it for this precious, vintage quilt.
24
Weekend Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:villageboundquilts.com
The colors on this gender-neutral baby quilt are so soothing - perfect for little ones. Because this quilt is made up of half-square triangles (and is also baby size), it comes together quickly. It's an excellent weekend project.
25
Arrow Baby Quilt with HST's
Photo Credit:weallsew.com
Arrows are in, so grab your favorite boy colors and get started on this cute baby quilt pattern for the littlest boy in your life! You'll start by making half-square triangles, piecing your arrows together, and then adding sashing strips in between.
26
Proof Positive Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.theclothparcel.com
Whether you're hoping to raise a math-lover or simply want to think positive (haha), displaying this quilt will keep you on the right track. It's fairly straightforward to piece together, so grab your favorite blacks and whites and get sewing!
27
Turnstile Block Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This windmill quilt is eye-catching and looks somewhat complex at first glance. However, it's actually super easy to piece together. I love how the top is somehow intricate-looking and yet simple at the same time.
28
One hour Baby Quilt Top
Photo Credit:www.woodberryway.com
It's true! With quick sewing, this simple quilt top can be pieced together in just an hour or so. Although this quilt is simple, the colors make all the difference. You can totally change the look by using rainbow colors, blues, pinks, or whatever other combination you like.
29
Easy Strip Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.woodberryway.com
Love using pre-cuts? Here's a cute design that can be finished quickly with a coordinating pack of cut fabrics. This quilt would definitely contribute to making playtime fun and cheery for a little one!
30
Simple Heart Quilt
Photo Credit:cluckclucksew.com
Just look at these adorable, vintage hearts! The heart shaping requires working with some pretty small pieces of fabric, but it's not that complicated. It just takes a bit of time. It will be totally worth it for this precious baby quilt!
31
Swiss Cross Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:www.coralandco.com
Babies love contrast, and this modern, black and white pattern was totally made with little ones in mind. It's super easy to make and will have a baby staring for hours! Choose plain black and whites or add a little more design with simple black and white patterned fabrics.
32
A Fat Quarter Baby Quilt Pattern
Photo Credit:wren-collective.com
If you adore the fabrics in this pretty baby quilt (I know I do!), you're in luck, because they're all linked in the post. You'll need seven different fabrics for this design. Use fat quarters if you want to speed things up.
33
Baby Heart Log Cabin Quilt
Photo Credit:sewcanshe.com
Doesn't this quilt just make you want to snuggle up with a squishy little baby? The heart designs are simple to make using small squares. Use blue or pink for the contrast color, or use another color entirely!
34
Easy Charm Baby Quilt
Photo Credit:jessicadayon.blogspot.com
If you want to use large, easy blocks but also want to add a little more interest than JUST squares, this pattern is the perfect solution. All you need is 9, 9-block pieces. Then just piece them together with your strips sewn in between, and your quilt top is done!
How to Make a Baby Quilt
Now that you have some design inspiration, let’s go through a quick overview of the process of quilt-making. If you haven’t made a quilt before, it can seem like a lot of steps, but once you make one or two, it will start to make a lot more sense.
The only difference between making a baby quilt and a full-size quilt is simply that a baby quilt is smaller.
Here are the basic steps for making a baby quilt.
- Choose your pattern.The patterns listed below are all free, so simply choose your favorite!
- Purchase your fabric.Search for high-quality quilting cotton for your quilt top. You’ll want it to be able to last through many washes (babies are messy!).
- Cut your fabric. Read through your pattern to see how your pieces will need to be cut. Use a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler to keep your lines straight.
- Start piecing your quilt top. Start laying out your pieces according to the pattern instructions and begin sewing. Make sure your seam allowances are all the same (¼” is standard).
- Assemble your quilt.Quilts are made up of three basic components: the quilt top, the batting, and the backing fabric. The soft batting will be sandwiched between your fabric pieces.
- Quilt the layers together.Quilt through all of the layers of your quilt sandwich using a walking foot or free-motion foot. Use straight lines, squiggly lines, or patterns to add character.
- Trim and bind your quilt.Trim the edges of your quilt so that all three layers are even. Next, sew your binding around all of the edges. And you’re done!
Baby Quilt Sizes
Baby quilts can be made as either squares or rectangles, and the sizes can vary a lot. Fortunately, there’s no “right” or “wrong” size when making a baby quilt. Here is a guide to some of the common quilt sizes for babies.
| Quilt Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Stroller | 30″ by 36″ |
| Baby | 36″ by 40″ |
| Crib | 36″ by 48″ |
| Toddler | 40″ by 60″ |
Because of the thickness of quilts, they also make wonderful playmats for babies, from newborns to toddlers. Be sure to practice safe sleep by keeping quilts out of a newborn’s crib.
Supplies You’ll Need
To make a baby quilt, you’ll need these basic supplies. In this list, I’ve also included some of my favorite tools for beginning quilters.
- Fabric
- Thread
- Batting
- Rotary Cutter
- Omnigrip 6″ x 24″ Ruler
- Self-Healing Cutting Mat
- Straight Pins
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Sewing Machine
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Baby Quilt?
For a medium-sized baby quilt, you will needbetween 4 and 6 yards of fabrictotal for the quilt top and the backing. Depending on the size and design of your quilt, you may need more or less, so be sure to check your specific pattern to see what you’ll need.
What’s the Best Batting for Baby Quilts?
Look for high-quality cotton batting for your baby quilt. You’ll want something that will hold up over time and through many washes.Warm Company Warm & Natural Battingis an excellent, quality option for your baby quilt.
Tips for Making Your First Baby Quilt
If you’re a new quilter, here are a few tips and tricks for making your first quilt.
Choose Soft, High-Quality Fabric
Search for a high-quality quilting fabric for your baby quilt. It’s worth investing in a quality fabric so that your quilt will hold up over the years. Search around at your local fabric shop or look onlinefor some lovely choices.
Prewash Your Fabric
Since you’ll be using a variety of different fabrics for your quilt, they may shrink differently. To avoid having the pieces shrink unevenly and pull away from each other after your quilt is made, wash and dry your fabric before you start cutting out the pieces of your quilt.
Consider Colorful Prints, Bold Shades, and Contrast
Contrasting colors, like black and white, are interesting to even very young babies. Then, around four months, babies develop the ability to see in color. Colorful, fun prints and bold shades will be captivating for older babies and toddlers.
More Quilting Articles
If you love to quilt, you may be interested in these related posts:
- 25 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns You’ll Love to Make
- 50+ Free Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners
- Half Square Triangle Charts and Formulas
- Free Quilted Christmas Stocking Pattern
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Sarah Stearns Founder and Editor
Sarah Stearns has helped millions of makers find their next craft project with free patterns and step-by-step tutorials on her blog, sarahmaker.com. Read more.
With over a decade of experience in knitting and crochet, she has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, Apartment Therapy, and Lifehacker.
