Quilt Patterns for Beginners

Have you ever wanted to learn how to quilt, but you were not sure where to start? Maybe you watched your grandmother quilt by the fireplace during winter. Perhaps you have inherited some heirloom quilts. All you know is that now you have the bug.

With quilting, your first step should be to select a pattern. As a beginning quilter, your pattern should be simple, look gorgeous and encourage you to try your hand at something more difficult later. These quilt patterns will give you a great start to quilting.

1. Log Cabin
The Log Cabin is a perfect quilt pattern for a beginner. First, it is colorful. The pattern can use up to 13 different fabrics in a block. Next, it is easy. If you can sew a straight seam (and even if you can't) you can still make a beautiful quilt from this block. Plus, it is quick. Using modern strip piecing techniques, you can easily complete the quilt top in a day. Use this pattern and folks will think you have been quilting for years.

2. Streak of Lightening
Streak of Lightening is a free quilt pattern on the Quiltville web site. It is a colorful and simple quilt offered for use as charity quilts. What a win-win situation! While you are honing your quilting skills, you can contribute to a good cause. Use novelty prints and watch a smile break out on anyone who sees it.

3. Whole Cloth
A whole cloth quilt is just one big piece of fabric the same dimensions as a pieced quilt top. In fact, there are fabrics out there that look like pieced quilt tops. They are beautiful and excellent practice.

Please do not think that a whole cloth quilt is not "real." As long as the quilt has a top, batting and a bottom stitched together, it is a quilt. Whole cloth quilts are wonderful ways to practice. They are definitely worth looking into for the beginning quilter.

4. Four - Patch
You can't get much simpler than a Four-patch block alternating with a plain square. These simple patterns allow you finish a quilt quickly. This pattern also lends itself to novelty prints.

5. Denim Rag Quilt
Denim rag quilt patterns are all over the internet for good reason -- they are warm and sturdy. Plus, now you can recycle your old jeans into something useful!

For beginning quilters who are scared of actually quilting the quilt sandwich or attaching the binding, this is a great first project. A denim rag quilt is rugged. It is simple. It is the perfect quilt for picnics and watching fireworks.

Can a beginner make a beautiful quilt? Absolutely. You just need to choose a pattern that displays the fabric and not your stitching.

So, go ahead; choose one of the patterns listed. You can't go wrong. Be careful, though. Once your family members see your creation, you might have a quilt thief or two on your hands!