These unique quilt patterns are great for decor or gifts! Most of these are free and great for beginners; customize with your own choice of fabrics.

I’ve always loved quilts, but when I lived in the condo I didn’t have but one since I didn’t have anywhere to put the rest. There’s something so “hygge” about going into the linen closet on a cool winter night and bringing out a handmade quilt to snuggle under!
Now that we just moved into a house – with space to put multiple quilts – I can start thinking about pursuing those quilt patterns that have been on my Pinterest boards for years.
And I’m being serious. . . . these exact quilt patterns have been on my boards for years! My goal is to make it through all of these patterns over the next year. We’ll see how well I do.
A few tips for you – get your fabric for quilting at Fabric Depot. It’s my place to shop for all fabrics and I feel like they have great prices. Then grab your free quilting patterns at FreePatterns.com, another great resource. After that just grab your machine and thread and you’ll be in business!
What I love about these unique quilt patterns is that they all look like something I could do. If you’ve seen those complicated quilts out there, while they are beautiful, I need to start with patterns that are a little more reasonable for my skill level.
How did I choose the patterns? These are patterns that I found to be rather unusual in style or color – or I have just never seen them before and like them! Some might be familiar to you. But I guarantee there’s a pattern or two in this list that will be new to you as well.
With the holiday season upon us, try these unusual quilting patterns for holidays gifts. Because who doesn’t want a quilt for a present? Check them out below!
(PS – most of these are free, but some aren’t. The few prices I did see were more than reasonable for the awesome pattern. Enjoy.)
Unique Quilt Patterns
If you're looking for some unusual quilt patterns to make, these are fun! Take a peek at these 30+ ideas and let me know which one(s) you try.
Mod Melons
This free watermelon quilt pattern is perfect for summer and beyond. Includes a video tutorial and instructions on how to sew curves.
USA Map
This US map quilt is easy to sew up and comes with a free pattern. I love that you can make the states any color you like! Plus you can use this map as a cute tracker, and embroider places you've been to.
Marcella and Mae
There are two beautiful and unique quilt patterns in this post. These patterns are for the confident beginner and above. The color palette is magnifique!
Clucky Chickens
I know a lot of chicken lovers are out there! Maybe you know one, or are one yourself. Either way, this quilt would make a perfect decor item or gift!
X Marks the Improv
The blues of this quilt speak to my soul! I love the random lines as well as the gold and orange sprinkled throughout. The back is pretty great too.
Patchwork Pumpkins
Being someone who loves fall and Halloween so much, I absolutely love this cute little patchwork pumpkin quilt. Plus you can keep it out from the beginning of fall all the way through Thanksgiving.
Modern Solids Woodcut
The blocks required for this quilt remind me of trees! It's a graphic, modern spin on a traditional log cabin quilt. It's fat quarter friendly and perfect for paper piecing fans!
Retro Camper
Who doesn't love a good camper craft? I love the boho feel of the fabrics chosen for this cute, camper-themed quilt.
Cats on Cats
This cats on cats pattern is a beginner friendly look at simple quilt techniques and chain piecing. It makes a great gift for a lover of felines!
Arrows Away
Are you looking for a quick and easy quilt? For this cool project, you can use big blocks. It looks great with bold colors on a light background (or vice versa).
Ahoy Sailor
For this quilt, you'll incorporate some sailboat blocks with big strips of fabric. I absolutely love the striped border! This would be a fun gift for a new baby.
Geometric Foxes
I just about died when I found out these fox quilts were for girl and boy twins in their geometric themed nursery. Cute huh? I love them so much!
Summer Houndstooth
Houndstooth is a favorite pattern of mine! What I love about this quilt is the bold colors used, and the striped binding.
Fun Flamingo
Show off your flamingo style with this fun flamingo quilt with free pattern! This pixelated quilt is so easy and fun to sew.
Big Love
This big love quilt is a fantastic beginner pattern! It is also a favorite for baby shower presents. The background lets you draw from the nursery colors and the large heart is the perfect spot for taking month to month photos of a little one.
Clamshell Animals
Paper piecing scallops will be your new favorite thing after trying this little quilt. This project features bulldogs, but there are also ideas for frogs, birds, and other animals! So cute.
Summer Squares and Stripes
Why do I find this quilt to be unique? Because it uses a lot of small scraps, and larger scraps, and bright colors. It's patchwork on steroids, and I totally dig it.
Tiny Tiles
The diagonal lines and tiny pieced diamonds of this pattern may give the impression of expert quilt making, but the reality is much simpler than that. All you really need is the easiest of building blocks: a basic square . . . and lots of them!
Ombre Gems
This quilt is not a difficult one to put together, but it does have a lot of seams. However the resulting rainbow of gems is totally worth it! Very pretty.
Giant Rainbow
Susan designed this pattern because she wanted something graphic and bold that had a curved look without curved piecing. And that's when she came up with this rainbow quilt!
My Colorful Town
The little villas on the front of this quilt are so colorful and cute! This is a fun pattern to make and give as a gift for a housewarming.
Applique Monsters
Learn how to turn knit fabric scraps into a fun monster applique quilt! Both boys and girls would absolutely love this darling blanket.
Sweet Sewing Shelves
This sweet sewing shelves applique quilt is the perfect addition to your sewing studio, or as a gift for your favorite seamstress. It's perfect for using up scraps as well.
Recycled Jeans
I know you're seeing the stripes and wondering what is unusual about this quilt. But that's the thing - it's made of colored denim! So cool.
Dresden Block Baby Quilt Tutorial
If you're looking for a unique baby quilt, this one is a great idea! It's simple to make for beginners, and you can highlight several colors from the nursery in one quilt.
I Love Roses
I'm usually not a big fan of roses in my crafts, but this pretty pixelated version is right up my alley. I love the color palette of this version.
Twisted Ribbons
There are regular ribbon quilts - and then there are twisted ribbons! And that's exactly what this is. Get a free pattern for a ribbon quilt, with a twist (ha ha).
View Master
So this tutorial is for only one block, but the View Master theme is so cool that I had to share. Make just one block to hang, or make a few and incorporate into a larger quilt.
Fly With Me
If you love to travel or want to make a gift for someone who does, this mini quilt will be perfect.
Must Dash
I "mustache" you if you like this lap quilt? Because I do! The colors are bright in this example, but you can use any fabric you like.
Child’s Silhouettes
This is perfect to make for a mother or grandmother as a keepsake! Add pics of children or grandchildren using this tutorial.
Let me know what you think of the unique quilt patterns I picked – and which one is your favorite – in the comments! I’d also love for you to visit these other sewing related projects:
Rose
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
I love all the patterns from Cluck Cluck Sew, cheerful and pleasing to the eye. I can also recommend this orangy quilt pattern from Laughing Duck.
Amy
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
That's a cute one too! I like it.