Sewing a quilt for babies is the ultimate handmade gift. Not only are you giving the family an heirloom that will be treasured for years but baby quilts are often naturally quick to make due to their small size.
Baby quilt patterns are a great idea if you're looking for a first quilt project as you can start simple. There are some beautiful fabrics for babies out there and you can sew a basic quilt top in just an evening or two.
We've rounded up our favourite baby quilts to get you started. This article isn't just for newcomers to quilting though – we've also got ideas for more experienced quilters who just want a bit of inspiration for the different baby quilt patterns out there.
We've packed this article with the best free baby quilt patterns for you to try. Read on to find easy quilts, animal quilts, traditional quilts for boys and girls, alongside gender-neutral options too.
These free baby quilt patterns will have you stitching up soft and sweet quilts for tots to snuggle under in no time.
Learn more about making baby quilts
25 easy baby quilt patterns
1. Chevron baby quilt
Turn simple half square triangles into this gorgeous chevron baby quilt. Make the quilt using your favourite fabric shades or those which match baby's nursery.
Back with soft flannel for maximum snuggle effect and if you're feeling brave, stitch a matching baby comforter.
2. Primrose Hill Quilt Pattern
Today's Quilter and Love Patchwork & Quilting have some beautiful baby quilt patterns over on their Etsy shop.
This Primrose quilt pattern is made up of floral fabric hexagons which join up to make a beautiful flower pattern. It's perfect for new babies or young children.
If you need help stitching this baby quilt pattern head over to our how to sew hexagons tutorial.
3. Start simple with squares
This easy baby quilt pattern, designed by Alice Hadley for Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine, is a joy to piece! Plus you can whip it up in a weekend pretty easily.
We’ve used a jelly roll of fabric to quickly pick coordinating prints, and some linen fabric to give a modern touch.
4. Pixel heart quilt pattern
Judith Dahmen’s free heart mini quilt pattern can double up as a baby blanket or play mat.
It's a lovely way to build your patchwork skills as you'll learn how to sew simple squares into a heart design. Use some of our spring fabrics to make this baby quilt even cuter!
5. Easy baby quilt pattern
Mix simple-to-sew Half-rectangle triangles to make Lou Orth's geometric baby quilt pattern. Colourful and bright, this easy baby quilt pattern is brilliant for beginner quilters.
If this is your first baby quilt, make sure you check out our beginner's guide to quilting which covers all the basics.
6. Hugs and kisses baby quilt
This sweet hugs and kisses baby quilt pattern from Accuquilt will be an eye-catching addition to any nursery or playroom.
Originally made to showcase the GO Qube die cutter, you could easily recreate it with half square triangles and layout plan (or treat yourself to the tech if you enjoy a spot of quilty shopping). The finished quilt measures 40x40in.
7. Rainbow baby quilt pattern
Our cute pixel quilt buzzer has been on high alert ever since we added this free rainbow quilt pattern to our free quilt patterns collection.
It would make the most beautiful, colourful baby quilt. Every baby deserves to wake up to a rainbow!
8. Bricks baby quilt tutorial
Amy Smart over at Diary of a Quilter has a free tutorial for this lovely, simply bricks baby quilt pattern.
Learn how to make this bricks baby quilt with her free tutorial.
9. Nordic ribbons baby quilt pattern
Inspired by Scandinavian traditions, we've become smitten with this beautiful baby quilt project from FaveQuilts.com.
It's a modern take on basketweave quilt patterns and that, combined with the subtle pastel colourway, makes it the perfect baby quilt pattern.
Head over to their blog to follow their Free Nordic Ribbons baby quilt pattern.
Looking for more modern projects?
If you've enjoyed these baby quilt patterns then check out our collection of free modern quilting patterns.
10. Sweet n Sassy Baby Quilt
Cluck Cluck Sew's Sweet 'n' Sassy baby quilt has nailed the modern yet classic feel! You can find this quick-sew half square triangles pattern over on her website along with lots of other baby quilt patterns.
11. Super speedy mini cat quilt
Short of time or never made a quilt before? Mini quilts are quick to sew and are easier than standard-sized quilts. They're mini to us but not a newborn! Stitch our adorable cat quilt into a DIY baby quilt.
12. Baby quilt and playmat kit
Save time on picking your fabrics with this ready-to-sew baby quilt kit from Cottage Patchwork.
Choose between 7 colourways to match your nursery colour scheme. Knit up a matching elephant and gift it to the newborn!
13. Puff quilt pattern
This fluffy, free puff quilt pattern by Heidi Ferguson is light-as-air is super snuggly. It's a fun 3D variation on traditional flat patchwork quilts and makes the perfect baby quilt!
Learn how to make a puff quilt here on Gathered.
Baby boy quilt patterns
14. Little Owl baby quilt pattern
We stumbled upon this beautiful baby quilt on Flickr and followed the breadcrumbs to discover it's from the lovely Beech Tree Lane Handmade blog.
15. Dinosaurs quilt pattern
If go big or go home is your approach to quilt making, you'll love this dino baby quilt pattern from the Queen of paper piecing Elizabeth Hartman.
We love how colourful all these dinos are! It makes the perfect baby quilt pattern for any gender. Go the extra mile by stitching them their very own dinosaur toy too!
16. Squadron Leader quilt pattern
We have yet to meet a small child who isn't fascinated by aeroplanes. Ok so newborns may take a few months to catch on, but that's no reason not to get piecing this Squadron Leader quilt pattern from Granny Maud's Girl!
Capturing this classic children's motif in a sweet baby quilt pattern, it's sure to be a winner with new parents. Why not make them a matching memory bear too?
17. Baby boy quilt kit
We do love a quilt kit for speedy fabric-pulling, and this sweet kit on Etsy is a great weekend baby quilt project.
Featuring baby motif favourites (trains, rockets and circus animals), baby boys and girls alike will be fascinated by its cute design.
Baby girl quilt patterns
18. Flower power quilt
If you're looking for some patchwork piecing ideas to give nurseries and playrooms the wow factor, this flower quilt, found on Sew Fresh Quilts' Etsy, could be the one for you! This baby girl quilt pattern is made up of fun florals and is as eye-catching as it is cosy.
19. Go bright with this Playing Tag quilt
We love a colour-popping combo of shades in baby quilts! This free playing tag baby quilt pattern from All People Quilt mixes a splash of cyan and lime with traditional pink shades to piece-together a playful playmat or baby quilt.
You could also make a matching patchwork baby ball to go with your new baby quilt!
20. Pinwheel baby quilt pattern
You can't beat a pinwheel quilt for a timeless DIY which will make a sweet family heirloom quilt.
This simple design from BeckysQuiltDesigns on Etsy won't take long to make. It suits confident beginners or quilt-makers with a few previous quilts under their belts.
21. Butterfly dance baby quilt pattern
This marvellous mini quilt from Ellis and Higgs may be small but it's beautiful! It's just the pattern if you're looking for an eye-catching quilt with a feminine feel.
If you want to make it bigger to form a full-sized cot quilt, simply make up more of the quilt blocks to create a flock of fabric butterflies.
You'll need to try paper piecing to make it but this is a handy technique to add to your patchwork skillset! See our guide to foundation paper piecing for beginners.
22. Simply charming baby quilt pattern
This traditional PDF baby quilt pattern (from Treasures in Time on Etsy) is one for everyone out there who loves a classic floral print. It also makes a great beginner quilt project as it's mostly made from simple squares of fabric.
Give it a unique finishing touch with scalloped edging for a sweet finish.
Animal baby quilt patterns
23. Bunny baby quilt pattern
We dare you to resist making this cute rabbit quilt for babies and toddlers. It combines a traditionally pieced quilt top with soft, floppy ears and a striking patchwork panel.
Designed by Kate Webber, this how to make a bunny baby quilt was first featured in Love Patchwork & Quilting.
24. Farm animal baby quilt pattern
If Old Macdonald had a quilt, this would be the one. We found this beauty of a baby quilt pattern over on Four Winds Trader's Etsy store.
It's a digital download pattern and has 5 star reviews from other quilters in the community
25. Make a splash: Whale quilt kit
We dare you to resist this super cute whale quilt kit! Ready-to-go with all the fabrics, pattern and instructions you need to make an under-the-sea-themed baby quilt. Wadding isn't included so you'll need to use some from your stash or stock up separately.
What is the best fabric for a baby quilt?
Babies of all ages, from newborn up to toddlers, get comfort from being wrapped up snug and warm. Handmade baby quilts are a pretty and practical gift that will soothe them, as well as looking adorable!
Here are some child-friendly fabrics you can use to start stitching your baby quilt patterns...
Cotton fabric
Is a quilter's favourite choice for making baby quilts. It's soft on baby's skin and easy to wash – baby bedding can need to be quite hard-wearing as it may endure regular washes.
It's fairly common for babies to experience mild allergies and skin rashes, so with a good quality cotton fabric you know this is likely to be gentle on their skin.
Opt for an organic cotton fabric if you prefer to craft with supplies which were made free from artificial chemicals or fertilisers.
Buy it now: Check out the John Lewis range of fun animal-print cotton fat quarters, including some lovely prints for babies, from Peter Rabbit to dinosaurs
Jersey or knit fabrics
Jersey or knit fabrics sre a lovely soft alternative to cotton. They are most commonly used in baby quilts which are upcycled from a baby's outgrown babygros and clothing.
These fabrics they can be a little trickier to handle in your sewing machine (see our tips for how to sew jersey fabrics) so if you're new to quilt making, we'd recommend you start with some cotton fabrics for your first quilt.
Soft backing fabric
The style of your finished quilt is set by the quilt top that you make (as you can see with our baby quilt patterns featured above). If you want to add extra snuggle factor, try backing your quilt with a soft, fleecy backing fabric.
Etsy has some great soft and fuzzy baby fabrics in their Fleece Fabrics section. If you're on a tight budget, another great way to source good quality but affordable quilt backing fabric is to buy a flat, 100% cotton, single or cot bed bedsheet, and cut that to match your quilt size.
Buy it now: we love this Dimple fleece fabric (£5.99 for a half metre) for baby quilt backings on Etsy. It comes in cute colourways and is so soft to touch.
Wadding or batting
New parents are always keen to make sure their babies can sleep safely and snuggly. To ensure your quilt doesn't get too warm for the baby, opt for a lightweight, thin wadding that's breathable.
It's much easier to add another blanket layer to keep babies warm than it is to go back and remove the wadding in a finished quilt to stop it overheating.
We like Hobbs Heirloom Wadding as it's soft and easy to work with, or if you prefer to go with organic cotton, browse the range over on Etsy.
If you're new to the world of wadding and batting head over to our guide.
Make more keepsake quilts
Head over to our memory quilt ideas to stitch more special quilts.
Baby quilts and sleep safety
When planning any baby bedding project, the no.1 thing to consider is always sleep safety, especially so with very young babies.
Any quilt patterns or fabric tips in this article come with a gentle reminder that it's important to check the latest up-to-date advice on safe baby bedding before you craft.
We recommend this helpful article from The Lullaby Trust which has further advice about safe baby bedding.
What size is a baby quilt?
Baby quilt sizes, like any, quilt, vary from family to family. Some common baby quilt sizes to start you off though are:
- Small baby quilt – 30 x 40in
- Cot bed baby quilt 47 x 55in
- Single bed quilt – 55 x 79in
Sew special baby quilt patterns for newborns
There's nothing quite as special as a baby quilt. It will show the new parents just how much you care about their little one and give the child something to remember you by for years to come.
Choose your favourite baby quilt pattern (or combine a few projects to make a truly unique quilt) and stitch it with all your love.
Discover more adorable baby projects with Gathered
We hope you've enjoyed these baby quilt patterns! For more cute baby projects check out our best baby and kids hat crochet patterns.
