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I have been writing quilt tutorials for over 14 years now, and some of the most popular on my blog are for baby quilts. So I decided to put together a list of my top 15 free, beginner-friendly baby quilt tutorials. The reason I love making baby quilts: the size doesn't require a lot of fabric or time - especially compared to bigger projects. They are a quick, satisfying finish. Not to mention a fun way to try out a new color palette or use a set of precuts!
A lot of folks try their hand at quilting for the first time when it's time to make a baby quilt. Which is my story too - the first quilt I made entirely by myself was when I was expecting my first baby 24 years ago.
Whether you're a beginner or experienced quilter, these baby quilt tutorial ideas will be both a great learning resource, a guide for great stash-buster projects, as well as the perfect baby gift.
I'll start this list with easiest first and move on gradually to more advanced.
Simple patchwork quilts are some of my favorites. They're a great way to get started, and a quick and easy classic for any baby. (Pink and white checkerboard quilt found here.)
If you're looking to make your first quilt, or just want to brush up on quilting basics, I highly recommend my Beginning Quilting Series - How to Make a Quilt from Start to Finish. It's a 10-part series that will walk you through all the steps for making your first quilt from choosing and cutting fabric, to basic piecing, basting, quilting, and binding a quilt.
I also recommend this Beginner Patchwork Quilt tutorial for more of a quick start guide to making a simple patchwork quilt using precut Charm Squares.
I also have helpful suggestions of Tips For Using Your Stash to Make Great Patchwork Quilts.
The Fast Four-Patch quilt is consistently the most popular baby quilt tutorial on my blog. It's just a half-step up from a simple patchwork quilt. This quilt is also a great one for using precut squares.
This Positively patchwork quilt tutorial is SUPER fast with a simple, modern feel.
Baby Bricks is a simple variation on simple patchwork, using rectangles and short-cut strip piecing.
Rail Fence is another quick and easy strip-pieced quilt using 21/2" strips - perfect for Jelly Roll Precuts
A traditional Irish Chain design always looks good - and it's relatively simple and fast also using strip-piecing short-cuts.
You can find the tutorial for this Nine-Patch Irish Chain quilt here.
A Broken Dishes quilt is patchwork using Half-Square Triangles. These blocks are simple to make and add another dynamic layer to the design.
Easy Star Baby Quilts
Another fun and fast variation is a giant star quilt. These quilts are also perfect for precut 10" squares. There are 4 different pattern variations on this Easy Star quilt design.
including this large Lone Star variation with an additional Sawtooth Border.
On-point Patchwork Baby Quilts
Another step up from traditional patchwork is turning the blocks "on point" - rotated 45 degrees so that they're laid out in diagonal rows. This also gives the quilt a dynamic feel.Here are a couple of options:
The Patchwork on Point tutorial is also perfect for pre-cut 5" Charm Squares.
This Baby Lattice quilt tutorial is the second most popular quilt tutorial on my site. This is another version of Patchwork on Point with sashing between the patchwork squares.
This option is great for busy prints as the sashing gives space in between blocks, giving the eye a place to rest and contrast for the busy prints. This pattern is also perfect for 5" x 5" precut charm squares or stackers.
Another simple quilt with sashing, perfect for busy prints is this Easy Block Quilt tutorial. This is another great beginning quilting project.
Finally, when you're ready to try something new or take it to the next level, a classic Economy block is a really fun way to use favorite scraps and fussy-cut prints.
You can find the tutorial for this simple 8" Economy Block quilt block here. And you can read about this "Pemberley" version here.
And that's my Top 15 Free Baby Quilt Tutorials! I can guarantee there's something for anyone in that list. And many of them are very beginner friendly.
If you're looking for more baby quilt and baby gift tutorials check out the full list here.
And check out my Tutorials page for over 100 more free projects from big sampler quilts, to pillows and pincushions as well as seasonal décor.
