Three Easy Beginner Quilts
If you are looking for an easy beginner quilt (or just a quilt that’s quick and easy to make) I have three suggestions for you.
These quilts can be made easily and the piecing is very forgiving.
They are also perfect for last-minute gifts or donation quilts.
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Rail Fence
A rail fence quilt is just a quilt with blocks that are made of strips and then laid out in alternating orientation – horizontal and vertical.
This is an easy quilt because it can be adapted to whatever size block you want, and whatever size fabric strips you have. You can use as many different fabrics as you want – from just 2 fabrics to hundreds of fabrics.
You can plan your quilt carefully or you can improvise with scraps.
See how to make a rail fence quilt block.
This quilt is made with only two fabrics.
This quilt is made with six fabric cut in narrow strips.
Fabrics can be arranged in a gradient.
Even three fabrics is a nice option.
This rail fence has two different blocks, each with the same floral fabric. See details of the pink and blue rail fence quilt here.
If you change the layout and arrange all the blocks horizontally, you get a modern-looking quilt design.
Alternating 4-patch
The second easy quilt is an alternating 4-patch. This a quilt that is made up with plain squares and four patch blocks.
This is a fun design to showcase a novelty fabric or a big print. You can make your squares any size.
The only math you need to do is divide the finished size of the big block by two, and that is the size of the small pieces that make up the four-patch.
For example, if you want the large squares to be 8” then the small squares will be 4”. Just remember that means you have to cut them 8-1/2” and 4-1/2”.
See how to make the alternate four patch quilt.
This quilt features a fun elephant print fabric.
This quilt is made with orange, yellow and red fabrics.
This quilt has low-volume four patch squares.
This quilt features a fun unicorn print with matching pink and green fabrics. (see details of the pink unicorn quilt here)
This quilt features fabric from a favourite sports team.
Nine Patch
A nine patch is basically a quilt made by sewing squares together. You can use a traditional nine-patch layout with alternating light and dark squares, or you can plan another design.
How to make a nine patch block.
This quilt is made up of 6” 9-patch blocks in a gradient of colours from teal to green. Because of the fabric layout, it doesn’t obviously look like a 9-patch but that’s all it is.
Nine patch designs are also great for scrappy quilts.
This nine patch quilt has alternate plain blocks with applique.
This nine patch quilt features a gradient of fabrics. (see details of the step by step quilt here)
This quilt is made with tall nine patch blocks and alternate squares with embroidery. (see details of the Under the Sea quilt here)
Changing the colour layout can give lots of fun quilt diagrams.
So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy quilt, consider a rail fence, alternating 4-patch or 9-patch. These are always great patterns to start with.