Immortal Wordsmith

Finding quilting patterns online is like hitting the jackpot… if you can find one that you like. From crazy quilts to jelly roll quilts to Dutch quilt blocks, there’s a lot of choice! In this guide, I’m going to share some of my favourite free and paid resources to find quilt pattern ideas online.

For experienced quilters, creating a quilt top from a single photo is easy. For beginners, having detailed instructions and measurements for seams and blocks is essential. In this guide, you’ll find pattern resources for all, regardless of skill level.

Don’t forget that for quilt pattern ideas, you can also read my beginners guide to quilting.

Patchwork Quilt Pattern Ideas

Patch work patterns are often split into categories:

• Patch work patterns – often referring to simple squares sewn together, often made from old clothes and other scraps.
• Precut fabric patterns – these patterns use fabric from packs of jelly rolls, charm squares and fat quarters so that you can buy packs of complimentary fabrics in a uniform size.
• Minimalist quilt patterns – often using block colours and simple designs, these are great for beginners.
• Novelty quilts – rather than using traditional styles, like pinwheel or chevron, novelty quilts create different shapes for funky designs.
• Traditional quilts – these quilts use blocks that have been stitched for centuries. There’s a huge variety to choose from.

When you are looking through quilt pattern ideas, it is extremely helpful to have the size of the quilt in mind. Decide whether you’re making a lap quilt or king size comforter before you begin. You should also consider how much fabric you have and your sewing ability. Don’t forget that you’ll need a large piece of fabric for the back!

Free Quilting Patterns UK

All of these patchwork quilt patterns free are accessible by anyone on the internet, whether they’re in the UK or not.

For beginners:

• Love Crafts – you can find some really clean, simple and fun patterns here. Filter the results by beginner, intermediate and expert.
• Fat Quarter Shop – although a US site, you can find some incredibly helpful guides here to help you cut fabric for the first time, as well as lovely quilt patterns.
• Riley Blake Designs – fun designs that start off really basic but with some more detailed quilts for experienced quilters.

Intermediates:

• Alice Caroline – there are a few free quilt patterns and individual block patterns from this Liberty fabric seller.
• Hobbycraft – yes, your local Hobbycraft store has an online website! These free patterns are good for beginners and intermediates.
• Robert Kaufman – this fabric designer featured on my list of Where to Buy Blue Quilting Fabric and there are some great free designs on this site too.

Experts:

• Sew Guide – this guide to quilt blocks shows you 50 traditional quilt blocks that you can use to build a quilt of your own design.
• National Quilters Circle – some great advanced quilt patterns to find here, mostly traditional and novelty ideas.
• Pinterest – if you can create quilts just by examining quilts made by other people, then Pinterest is a treasure chest. This board is just an example.

Paid Quilting Patterns UK

These quilting patterns UK are from British shops and are available to download online or order through the mail:

• Janet Clare – lots of simple and sweet quilt designs in her Etsy store.
• Mack and Mabel – a small selection of quilt designs that you can download in PDF format.
• Alice Caroline – alongside some free patterns (see above) there are some beautiful and intricate patterns here too.
• Lucy Engels – I absolutely adore these minimalist hygge quilt patterns with Scandi vibes!
• Sew & Quilt – many of the patterns on this store can be downloaded as a pattern only, a pattern and paper pieces, or the full bundle with all the fabric you need.
• The Quilt Shop – pretty patterns, many of which would make lovely gifts for new parents and their babies.
• Sew Hot – besides having an awesome shop name, there is a wide range of quilt patterns in endless styles here.
• The Stitchery Dorset – great patterns and many for quilted pillows as well as blankets.
• The Sewing Studio – very traditional and detailed quilts, ideal for experts.
• Secret Garden Quilting – print these patterns online or have them delivered to your door. There are some bags, cushions and other projects too.

Quilting Ideas in Books

Many shops, including The Cotton Patch, have a long range of quilting books to buy. These books contain multiple patterns as well as detailed instructions and even stories about how the quilts came to be. I highly recommend purchasing these books from individual sellers, to support the quilting community! You can also read my full list of the Best Quilting Books for my personal recommendations.

If you have found patchwork pattern kits elsewhere online, I’d love to hear about them. Leave a comment below to join the conversation.