Quilt Pattern Designer
Plan a quilt before you cut a single piece. Start from a classic block such as Ohio Star or Churn Dash or draw your own on a grid with squares, half-square and quarter-square triangles, color it with your fabrics, set the blocks with sashing and borders and get the yardage and cutting list for every fabric.
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Block
How to use the Quilt Pattern Designer
- Pick a block from the library, or choose New blank and a grid size to draw your own.
- Set up your fabrics: rename them and pick colors close to your real fabrics. Add up to eight.
- Edit the block: with Paint, click or drag over pieces to color them; choose a shape tool such as HST or QST and click squares to change their shape.
- Lay out the quilt: number of blocks across and down, block size, setting, sashing, border and binding.
- Read the yardage and cutting list below the preview, then download the PNG and the list to take to the fabric store.
Cutting sizes for common quilt units
Finished size is the size after sewing. Add these allowances to get the cut size; all assume an exact 1/4 in seam.
| Unit | Cut size | Yield | Example: 4" finished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | finished + 1/2" | 1 square | 4 1/2" square |
| Rectangle (half of a unit) | each side + 1/2" | 1 rectangle | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" |
| Half-square triangle (HST) | finished + 7/8", cut once diagonally | 2 triangles | 4 7/8" square |
| Quarter-square triangle (QST) | finished + 1 1/4", cut twice diagonally | 4 triangles | 5 1/4" square |
| Binding | 2 1/2" strips, double fold | perimeter + about 12" | — |
Standard quilt sizes
| Quilt | Typical size | Example with 12" blocks and 4" border |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / crib | 36 × 52 in | 3 × 4 blocks = 44 × 56 in |
| Throw / lap | 50 × 65 in | 4 × 5 blocks = 56 × 68 in |
| Twin | 70 × 90 in | 5 × 7 blocks = 68 × 92 in |
| Queen | 90 × 108 in | 7 × 8 blocks = 92 × 104 in |
| King | 108 × 108 in | 8 × 8 blocks = 104 × 104 in |
Sizes vary by maker and by how far the quilt should drape over the bed; measure the mattress and use the Quilt Size Calculator for a custom fit.
Design tips
- Value matters more than color. A strong contrast between light background and dark fabrics makes star points and secondary patterns stand out. Check by switching your fabrics to grays.
- Try the rotation settings. A single half-square triangle block rotated in groups of four creates pinwheels, diamonds and zigzags without any new piecing.
- Use sashing to calm busy blocks and cornerstones in an accent fabric to add sparkle.
- Buy a little extra of the background and binding fabrics; they are the hardest to match later.
Frequently asked questions
How is the quilt yardage calculated?
For each fabric the tool adds up the cut size of every piece including 1/4 in seam allowances, divides by the usable width of the fabric (40 in for standard quilting cotton) and adds about 10% for straightening and mistakes. Borders and binding are calculated as strips cut across the width of fabric. Each total is rounded up to the next 1/8 yard.
What size do I cut half-square and quarter-square triangles?
For half-square triangles made the traditional way, cut squares 7/8 in larger than the finished size and cut once on the diagonal; each square gives two triangles. For quarter-square triangles cut squares 1 1/4 in larger than the finished size and cut twice diagonally for four triangles. Plain squares and rectangles are cut 1/2 in larger than finished. The cutting list uses these allowances.
Why does my block size give odd measurements?
Each block is divided into a grid, so the unit square is the block size divided by the grid. A 12 in Ohio Star on a 3 × 3 grid has 4 in units, but a 12 in Log Cabin on a 7 × 7 grid has 1.714 in units, which a ruler can't measure. Choose a block size divisible by the grid, such as 10.5 in for a 7 × 7 block, and the tool warns you when the size is awkward.
What does a quarter-inch seam allowance mean?
Quilters sew pieces together with a 1/4 in (about 6 mm) seam, so every piece is cut larger than it appears in the finished quilt. All finished sizes shown here (block size, sashing and border widths) are measured after sewing, and all cut sizes in the cutting list already include the seams.
How much backing and batting do I need?
Backing and batting should be about 4 in larger than the quilt top on every side for long-arm quilting (2–3 in for domestic machines). The approximate backing yardage uses 42 in fabric pieced as needed; for an exact figure with seams and wide backs use the Quilt Backing Calculator.
Can I design my own block from scratch?
Yes. Choose a grid size under New blank, pick a shape tool to turn squares into half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles or halves, then paint every piece with your fabrics. Rotate the block, undo changes, and use the rotate settings to see how secondary patterns appear across the quilt.
Are my designs saved?
Your current block, fabrics and layout are saved automatically in this browser only. Nothing is uploaded. Download the PNG and the cutting list to keep a copy or share it.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.