25 Beautiful 3 Yard Quilt Patterns: All Free
Three yard quilt patterns are perfect for beginners just getting started or for experienced quilters who want to finish quickly. If you have three cuts of one-yard fabric at home, your next sewing project is here because these patterns are all free. The hard parts of planning and deciding are done for you.
These free quilt patterns have comprehensive step-by-step photo tutorials. I’ll even share tips for picking 3 fabrics that work together well. You won’t believe how easy these beginner-friendly quilts are to make!
What Size Quilt Will Three Yards Make?
A three-yard quilt is a perfect size for a throw quilt, baby quilt, or lap quilt. The three yards are enough to finish the top of the quilt only; you will use more to back and bind your quilt.
The benefits of this size quilt are that you can finish it quickly and easily, and you can use your domestic sewing machine to quilt it yourself using straight-line or free motion quilting.
What You’ll Need to Make a Quilt
Besides 3 yards of fabric from your stash or your local quilt shop, here are some basic sewing supplies you will need:
- a sewing machine
- thread
- pins or sewing clips
- at least one acrylic ruler (6” x 24” is a good size), a rotary cutter, and cutting mat
- a walking foot will be very helpful if you want to use straight-line quilting to finish your quilt
- Optional: I love using my AccuQuilt fabric cutter
All my 3 Yard Quilt Patterns make fabric selection easy. Here’s my simple formula: First, find a beautiful ‘focus fabric’ that you (or the quilt’s recipient) absolutely love. Second, choose one coordinating fabric that is lighter and one coordinating fabric that is darker. That’s it; now let’s get started!
Chandelier Quilt Pattern
This popular 3 Yard Chandelier quilt design turns the blocks on their point. I give instructions for making the side blocks and the corner pieces so that your quit turns out beautifully.
Carpenter’s Star Quilt Pattern
Here is a pattern for the classic Carpenter’s Star Quilt with just 3 Yards of Fabric.
This is a popular design using the name ‘Carpenter’s Star,’ but very similar blocks have been named ‘Carpenter’s Wheel’ and ‘Star of Bethlehem’. I am fond of the reference to Christmas.
Quarter Log Cabins Quilt Pattern
The quarter log cabin quilt block is a log cabin variation. This variation moves the center square of a log cabin block to one corner.
Hello Neighbor! Quilt Pattern
The darling house quilt is perfect to keep in your house or give to a friend. You will make 16 house blocks for this quilt and then add a border.
Splendor Quilt Pattern
The Splendor Quilt Pattern includes instructions for 2 different blocks: the Four Crowns Block and the Flower Patch Block. Both of these blocks are 9-patches so they pair nicely together. There are a total of 12 blocks in the quilt and each block finishes at 12”.
Easiest 3 Yard Quilt Pattern Ever
Make your first quilt or your 100th quilt with The Easiest 3 Yard Quilt Pattern Ever! Showcase your favorite large scale prints with this design.
Sawtooth Star Quilt Pattern
My super-easy Sawtooth Star 3 Yard Quilt Pattern features the most beloved star quilt block of all time! The classic shape comes together so easily to make a beautiful quilt. As you play with colors and values, you will see how the appearance changes without actually changing the design block.
Spools and Stars Quilt Pattern
Spool quilts are a quilter’s favorite block, of course! When you put the blocks together you will see the stars come together, too. Try my 3 Yard Spools and Stars Quilt Pattern.
Diamond in a Square Quilt Pattern
The use of two coordinating fabrics in my Diamond in a Square pattern (AKA Square on Point, and Square in a Square) makes a secondary patterns appear. Can you see the stars happening?
Stars and Ladders Quilt Pattern
In my free Stars and Ladders 3 Yard Quilt Pattern you will learn shortcut methods for sewing 4-patch units, half square triangles, and quarter square triangles.
Dutchman’s Puzzle Quilt Pattern
The free Dutchman’s Puzzle 3 Yard Quilt Pattern is another one with a secondary design. This one uses three fabrics in one block, instead of just two, to make a beautiful secondary design. Look for the Friendship Stars and Pinwheels in the secondary design.
Easy Rail Fence Quilt Pattern
Strip piecing is the technique used for the Rail Fence Quilt Pattern. It’s a great way to start quilting, and might just be my fastest quilt pattern ever! I would love to see what you do with this pattern. Tag me @sewcanshe on Instagram!
Bear’s Paw Quilt Pattern
The Bear’s Paw quilt block dates back to the 1850s. This block design is rumored to be a part of the Underground Railroad, potentially marking a trail that led to food and water. Whether or not that is true, I believe that quilt makers have quietly influenced our history and homes more than we will ever know.
Dream House Quilt Pattern
The easy Dream House Quilt Pattern uses a collage quilt block to make a perfect throw.
One Block Sawtooth Star Quilt Pattern
This One-Block Sawtooth Star Quilt Pattern has a 40” block in the center. It would make a stunning wall hanging, and you can easily customize it by changing the design in the corner.
Mosaic Tiles Quilt Pattern
The free Mosaic Tiles Quilt Pattern is super easy because you only have to learn on block! It’s a great design for a sweet baby quilt, or a lap quilt.
Aunt Dinah Quilt Pattern
The Aunt Dinah Quilt Pattern is a larger throw quilt that showcases the Aunt Dinah quilt block mixed with Irish Chain quilt blocks! This finished quilt is 54” x 54”.
Jacobs Ladder Quilt Pattern
This free Jacob’s Ladder quilt pattern only uses one block. In the tutorial I’ll show you my favorite (time-saving) way to strip-piece four patch blocks. You will only need to cut HSTs (half square triangles) and squares for this beautiful quilt.
Easy Twin Star Quilt Pattern
This free Twin Star quilt pattern is also great for beginners. My step-by-step instructions and detailed photos will make assembling a breeze! You will love watching the beautiful pattern emerge as you go along.
Weathervane Quilt Pattern
The free Weathervane Quilt Pattern showcases the Weathervane quilt block and incorporates Windmill Quilt Blocks to really make the Weathervane dance! In this tutorial you’ll learn a quick method for the Flying Geese block.
XOXO Quilt Pattern
You will love this free XOXO 3 yard quilt pattern because it uses simple shapes in a beautiful way. Hang on a wall or gift to a darling new baby!
Amish Star Quilt Pattern
I chose blue and white for this free Amish Star Quilt Pattern for a traditional feel. It will turn out gorgeously with any combination of prints. I would love to see what you come up with! Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe.
Starship Baby Quilt Pattern
The free Starship Baby Quilt pattern includes instructions for 2 different blocks: my one of a kind Space Ship block plus a bold Fireball (friendship star) block. Both of the blocks are easy to assemble, and by using different colors you can create a night or day feel.
Chunky Star Quilt Pattern
My ‘Chunky Star’ 3 Yard Quilt Pattern uses a variation of the Ohio Star. There are 5 Chunky Star blocks and 4 single chain blocks to create a framework for the stars. Sew it up in no time at all and show me what prints you used @sewcanshe on Instagram!
1-Yard Panel Quilt Pattern
You can use any size panel for this free Panel Quilt Pattern. 1-yard panels are the most common, so that means that you will only need 3 yards of fabric to make the quilt (including borders)!
Share your love of quilts!
If you would like to donate your quilts there are lots of worthy organizations. Two of my favorites are Quilts of Valor, and Project Linus.
Make Your Own Creative Variations
You are not limited to three prints or long cuts of fabric. Unleash your own creativity and try a new variation:
- Experiment with lighter and darker fabrics.
- Consider using scraps for your “focus” fabric.
- Try different cuts of fabric, keeping in mind that changing the cuts of fabric will affect the final size of the quilt.
More from SewCanShe:
60+ One-Yard Sewing Patterns to be Grateful for: All Free
Craft Fair Moneymakers: 45 Free Sewing Patterns
75+ Free Sewing Projects for Busting Your Scrap Stash!
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂