30+ easy quilt blocks that look difficult

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Looking for an easy quilting project that will impress your friends? You've come to the right place! Here's over 30 easy quilt blocks that look difficult.

We love quilt blocks here at Gathered. They’re quick to sew, take little fabric and give instant gratification!

Not only that, but you can turn them into an infinite number of projects too. These blocks can be transformed into quilted bags, super-cute baby quilts, and much more.

The only thing we love more than a quilt block pattern is an easy one! We’ve collected over 30 easy quilt blocks that look difficult for you to explore. All these quilt blocks are beginner-friendly, but once finished will look like they’ve been stitched by a professional.

From fruit patterns and festive blocks to modern and quirky designs, we know there’s an easy quilt block pattern you’re going to love.

At the end of our list, you’ll find three bonus patterns for you to start straight away. Use these handy links to jump straight to the free patterns by Jo Hart:

Retro shades FPP block
Rainbow cloud FPP block
Rainbow FPP block

If you’re new to quilting don’t worry, these quilt block patterns are specifically suited to you. Plus, we have plenty of guides and tips here on Gathered to help you. Check out our beginners guide to quilting as well as a how to use a sewing machine tutorials.

If you’re new to the world of FPP, you might find our Foundation Paper Piecing tutorial handy for many of these projects.

30+ easy quilt blocks that look difficult

1. Three easy quilt blocks designed for beginners

We’re kicking off our easy quilt block round-up with this set that has been specifically designed for beginners.

Technical Editor Sarah Griffiths has created these patterns to teach you all about Half Square Triangles and how to turn these triangles into this cool arrow design.

Follow her three easy quilt blocks for beginners tutorial, and you’ll be stitching quilt blocks in no time!

2. Easy star quilt block pattern

This wonderful tutorial by Laura Pritchard shows you how to make a pretty star block.

Not only has Laura written out full, step by step instructions, but she’s created a video too!

Head over to her free star quilt block pattern for the tutorial, as well as Laura’s expert tips and tricks.

3. Celebrate the seasons with these easy quilt block patterns

Come rain or shine, these easy quilt blocks will make you smile!

Designed by Kerry Green, these seven blocks are inspired by the weather forecast. Imagine how cute they’d look quilted into a blanket?

Head over to Kerry’s how to sew weather themed foundation paper piecing blocks tutorial

Looking for more quilting patterns to try?

Head over to our shop for our expert-approved range of quilting patterns.

4. Make our modern quilt block pattern

This cool quilt block looks much harder to make than it really is. Zoe Williams shows you how to stitch this block in just five simple steps.

Use her free modern quilt block pattern to create a cool cushion or funky quilt.

5. Easy Easter quilt blocks patterns

Made from simple shapes and pretty spring fabrics, these easy quilt blocks are the perfect Easter project.

Put a spring in your step with these sweet Easter quilt block patterns.

6. Chevron-style quilt block pattern

Master the art of chevron with Lynne Goldsworthy!

You can easily adapt it to suit your style – experiment with different colours, patterns and angles to create your dream block.

Lynne’s Ric Rac chevron quilt block pattern is the ideal beginner’s project

7. Exclusive Tula Pink quilt block patterns!

LQP_0090_p042-055_Supp_LynnBlock.main1_preview

Quilting royalty Tula Pink has created three easy quilt block patterns just for you!

These funky quilt blocks are perfect scrap-busters and would look incredible stitched into a quilt.

Head over to the Tula Pink FPP block patterns to make your own.

8. Easy snowflake quilt block pattern

Lynne Goldsworthy has captured the beauty of the snowflake in this easy quilt block pattern.

Made from Half Square triangles, it has a striking look yet is very simple to stitch.

Use Lynne’s snowflake quilt block pattern and make your own cosy quilt for winter.

Let’s get festive

If you’re looking for more wintery quilts, why not check out our collection of Christmas quilt patterns?

9. Stitch your sewing room with these easy quilt block patterns

Inspired by her sewing room, these stitching-themed blocks make the perfect addition to your sewing room and will inspire you to finish all those WIPs!

Gracey Larson created these easy sewing room quilt block patterns just for you

10. Get fruity with these easy quilt blocks

Fresh, fun, and fruity – this vibrant trio will brighten any wall and is a complete joy to sew.

They look tricky, but they’re quite straightforward, especially when you use our free templates to create them.

Jo Hart is here to show you how to make these fruit quilt blocks

11. Easy quilt blocks to make you feel festive!

Paper pieced Christmas quilt block patterns

Get in the Christmassy mood with these super cute stocking quilt blocks. They’re really easy to stitch and when made from a Christmas fabric will really bring the festive spirit! Why not turn them into a Christmas quilt when you’re finished?

Susi Bellingham shows you how to make these paper pieced Christmas quilt blocks

12. Stitch your own rainbow, cloud and sunglasses quilt blocks

Finally, Jo Hart shows you how to sew three easy quilt blocks that look difficult in a cute cloud, rainbow and sunglasses design. The possibilities are endless with these easy quilt blocks.

Why not appliqué this block onto a cute cushion or trendy tote bag? You could add them to our patchwork cushion cover pattern or a tote bag. These three blocks are all the same width, so they can be used together in a quilt, too!

Jo Hart’s easy quilt block patterns!

We’re going to show you how to quilt these sweet blocks below. Follow our step by step instructions and you can download all the templates you need for this project here.

Retro shades FPP block

You will need

Background fabric: one (1) fat quarter
Dark pink fabric: one (1) fat eighth
Light pink fabric: two (2) approx. 3½in square scraps
Purple fabric: two (2) approx. 1½in square scraps
Temporary glue
Sewing machine
One (1) copy each of the Shades template, sections A–E (issue 107)

Finished Size

5in x 10in (5½in x 10½in unfinished)

Notes

Seam allowances are ¼in throughout unless otherwise noted.
Press seams open throughout, unless otherwise instructed.
Templates include seam allowances around the outer edge only (marked by the outer dashed line).
Reduce your stitch length to approx. 1.5 for Foundation Paper Piecing.
FPP = Foundation Paper Piecing.

Fabric Used

All fabrics in the blocks are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman in White, Punch, Carnation and Violet.

How to make your retro shades quilt block

Cutting Out

Cut the fabric pieces for each section of the templates. Make sure that the pieces will be at least ¼in larger than the section they will cover, all the way around. If you would prefer, you can choose to cut out each piece as you sew the templates.

You will use the light pink scraps for the lenses (Sections 1A and 1D) and the purple scraps for the temple ends (Sections 1B and 1E). Use the dark pink fabric for the frames (Sections 2A–10A, 12A, 14A; 2C; 2D–10D, 12D and 14D). You will then use the background fabric for all of the remaining sections.

Assembling the pieces

Step 1

On the unprinted side of Template A, place a tiny dot of temporary glue in the middle of Section 1A and place your corresponding fabric on top, right side up.

Ensure that the entire section is covered, plus at least ¼in extra all the way around (Fig A). A good way to check this is to hold your template up to the light.

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure a

Step 2

Turn your template over and fold along the solid line between Sections 1A and 2A.

Using a ruler to ensure straight lines, trim the edge of the fabric to ¼in beyond the folded paper, taking care to ensure you do not cut into the paper (Fig B).

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure b

Step 3

Unfold the template and place your fabric for 2A right sides together against the edge of 1A.

Make sure that when sewn, the fabric will cover the whole of 2A, plus ¼in seam allowance the whole way around (Fig C). Pin into place.

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure C

Step 4

Reduce the stitch length on your machine to approx. 1.5.

With the printed side of the template facing up, sew along the line between Sections 1A and 2A, starting and ending 2–3 stitches beyond the printed line (Fig D). Then press the fabric open, as shown in Fig E.

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure e

Step 5

Repeat the process in step 4 to trim the fabric ¼in beyond the line between Sections 2A and 3A (Fig F).

Add the 3A fabric following steps 3–4.

Continue piecing the rest of the template, Section A, in the same way, adding the remaining fabric sections in numerical order.

Step 6

Piece template sections B, C, D and E following the process detailed in steps 1–5.

Once all sections are complete, trim to the outer dotted line (Fig G).

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure g

Step 7

Align the template Sections A and B along the raw edges and sew them together (Fig H).

Remove the paper from the seam allowance only, carefully tearing along the seam line. Press the seam open.

easy quilt blocks that look difficult figure h

Step 8

Join Sections D and E, following the same process detailed in step 7.

Then join Section C to AB, taking care to align the seams of the frame.

After this, join Section DE to the other side of C.

Step 9

Press the block well, and remove the papers from the back, tearing along the seam lines. Trim to 5½in x 10½in to finish.

Top tip
When using an FPP template such as those used in this project, you add your fabric to the unprinted side of the template and sew on the printed side of the template. Your finished block will be a reverse of the printed lines on the template.

Rainbow cloud FPP block

You will need

Background fabric: one (1) fat quarter
Cloud fabric: one (1) fat sixteenth
Rainbow fabrics: eight (8) approx. 2in x 5½in
One (1) copy each of Cloud template Sections A–F (issue 107)

Finished Size

10in square (10½in square unfinished)

Fabrics Used

Fabrics used are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman, as follows:

White.
Silver.
Coral.
Punch.
Carnation.
Canary.
Parrot.

Plus Essex Linen in Pink, also by Robert Kaufman. Prints are from Add it Up by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Ruby Star Society, as follows:

Soft Yellow.
Soft Aqua.

How to make your cloud easy quilt block

Cloud easy quilt blocks that look difficult

Making the block

Cut out the fabric pieces for each section of the templates. Make sure that the pieces will be at least ¼in larger than the section they will cover, all the way around. If you prefer, you can choose to cut each piece out as you sew the templates.

You will use the rainbow fabric scraps for Sections 2F–9F, and the cloud fabric for Sections 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E.

Use the background fabric for all of the remaining sections.