Free motion quilting is a beautiful, flowing technique that allows us quilters to stitch experimental designs onto our quilts. Most quilters will have a quilt and their free motion quilting machine at the ready, all they’re searching for is the perfect pattern!
There’s hundreds of free designs on the web, so to help you narrow down your search, we’ve collected 12 of the best free motion quilting patterns. From hearts to flowers, these patterns will introduce a new level of detail to your quilting projects.
Before you browse our free motion quilting patterns make sure you take a look through our complete guide to free motion quilting. This covers all the basics and will help you quilt these patterns easily!
We also have a step by step how to do free motion quilting tutorial to teach you how to use your sewing machine to make these designs.
Explore these free motion quilting patterns
1. Sea foam free motion quilting pattern
Learn how to do this gorgeous seam foam design with Quilted Joy’s free video tutorial. Free motion quilting often reminds us of the swirling sea so this pattern is perfect!
2. Tear drop free motion quilting pattern
Fave Quilts have loads of wonderful free motion quilting patterns on their website including this tear drop design. Ideal for beginners and advanced quilters alike, this pattern will add a modern edge to the plainest quilts!
3. Square free motion quilting pattern
We All Sew has a beginner collection of free motion quilting patterns which includes this cool interlocking square design. This geometric pattern is brilliant for modern makers wanting to create modern quilts.
4. C curl free motion quilting pattern
Curls add a beautiful effect to any quilt. Laura from New Quilt has created a video tutorial showing you how to achieve these simple C curls. Follow along and create your own spiraling designs.
5. Floral free motion quilting pattern
Get a Quilting Studio sells some really unique free motion quilting patterns including this fun flower design. This flower pattern is great as it will upcycle any old or plain fabric you have in your stash, eliminating the need to buy new, expensive, patterned fabrics!
6. Sunburst free motion quilting pattern
If you’re looking for a quilt-a-long then Sew Can She is the blog for you. They regularly hold quilt-alongs which often incorporate free motion quilting. Here she shows you how to quilt this stunning sunburst pattern in a video tutorial.
Looking for some free motion quilting tools?
Make these gorgeous free motion quilting patterns with the help of some rulers! Discover how to use and the best free motion quilting rulers here on Gathered.
7. Heart free motion quilting pattern
The Sewing Directory is one of our go-to sites for free motion quilting patterns. They have a range of patterns for different skill levels.
Once you’ve mastered the basic loops, you’ll be able to achieve this sweet heart design! Head over to their blog for the tutorial, tips, and tricks.
8. Festive free motion quilting pattern
For quilters working on a Christmas quilt, this is the free motion quilting pattern for you! Fave Quilts teach you how to do several different jolly designs on their site, but this mistletoe design is our favourite.
Head over to our collection of Christmas quilt patterns if you’re looking for more festive inspiration.
9. Clamshell free motion quilting pattern
We just had to include this clamshell free motion quilting pattern from Sew Can She. This would look incredible on a huge range of quilts including our geometric quilted cushion project.
10. Spooky free motion quilting pattern
Alongside their festive designs, Fave Quilts also have some patterns that are made for Halloween! This elegant web free motion quilting pattern would look fantastic stitched into the corner of a spooky quilt.
We have a range of Halloween quilt patterns here on Gathered. We even have some of the best Halloween fabrics too!
11. Cloud free motion quilting pattern
How lovely is this cloud free motion quilting pattern? Megan Collins has created a PDF template and a step by step video to show you how to stitch them.
You can also purchase her rainbow quilt pattern if you fancy quilting the whole project!
12. Flower free motion quilting pattern
Finally, we’re finishing with another free motion quilting pattern from Sew Can She. We can’t help it, her designs are just so pretty! Head over to her blog and YouTube channel to learn how to stitch this lovely flower design.
Add free motion quilting patterns to your projects!
Free motion quilting patterns can elevate a plain quilt into something truly special.
No matter what pattern you choose, adding this decorative element will make you (or a lucky friend) appreciate your finished piece even more.
Find your favourite free motion quilting pattern and fall even more in love with the beautiful world of quilting.
Discover more quilting goodness with Gathered
If you’ve enjoyed these free motion quilting patterns then we know you’ll love our free quilting patterns.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s a project for you in our collection.
