The start of any new hobby can be overwhelming, even selecting your first quilt pattern! I’ve made a quick list of what to look for in your first quilt pattern, and few things to avoid too.
1 – Keep it Simple
Your first quilt pattern should include lots of squares and rectangles, no triangles or circles. There is plenty of time to add those to your skills, but I’d rather focus on a project that is manageable. My Beginner Quilt Patterns Bundle is a great place to start for any new quilter!
2 – Keep it Small
Manageable size is a very important element in your first quilt pattern too! Starting with a bed size quilt will quickly lead to overwhelm, there’s a lot more fabric to buy, and cut before you even get started.
3 – No Borders or Sashing
Both borders and sashing can add a unique design element in your future quilts. I think they should be avoided in your first couple of quilts to eliminate frustration. I’m hoping that you will want to make many, many quilts!
4 – Straight Setting
Some patterns call for blocks that are tilted, 45-degrees. This can look incredible, but often requires half-blocks, or setting triangles to finish the quilt, and I don’t find either beginner-friendly. Look for a simple grid in the pattern you would like to attempt.
5 – Blocks with few matching intersections
Really simplicity is key here. Your first quilt pattern should have as few points to match up as possible if any.
6 – Fabric Requirements
The fabric requirements for your first quilt pattern should be simple. 3 – 4 different fabrics or precut fabrics to eliminate the need for a lot of decisions is helpful.
7 – Reviews when possible
Shopping online for your first quilt pattern can be handy! Look for a shop that has reviews, much like you would find on amazon. If more experienced quilters are showing signs of frustration that is most likely not the pattern for you.
My Beginner Quilt Patterns Bundle is a great place to start for any new quilter! The quilt patterns included are some of my best selling patterns called: Dart, Dayhike, Talk of the Town and Frolic.
I’d love to share more quilting inspiration with you –
Amy
I am looking at buying a Babylock Soprano. My main goal is to do free motion quilting on my smaller projects. Do you feel that machine will allow me to do up to a large lap quilt? Thanks.
Judy Erhardt
Hi Judy, Yes – I’ve sewn on a Soprano, and it has plenty of space to quilt a lap quilt.
Enjoy!
Great post, so full of information, especially for a new quilter!
I am getting back to quilting after years of taking care of dying relatives and I have forgotten a lot. Also, our house burned down along with all my quilts. I had one left in my office. Anyway, I am making a king size quilt from a kit, really I am combining 2 twin size quilts. I am using Accuquilt and have made some mistakes and had to order more fabric. Luckily, fat quarter shop still had it. I just made another mistake. I did not put my fabric all the way past the cutting lines for one more 1 and one half inches and I got one and one fourth. I think I won’t have to order more. I could already write a manual of mistakes to avoid ( I’m a clinical psychologist). I don’t let it bother me too much because the math side of my brain only went through third grade– maybe not that far. I read a tip by you about cardboard templates with the Accuquilt and didn’t even understand it. Are there places you know of where I could get some help– I have never liked the cutting part of quilting– I am a lot like Jenny Doan. I can make artistic quilts but rulers throw me; I am not kidding.