40+ Fabulous Fat Quarter Sewing Patterns – All Free!
Do you have a pile of adorable, perfectly matched, or just plain irresistible fat quarters? They’re fantastic for small projects, but sometimes they pile up, whispering promises of future makes. Well, it’s time to stop the whispering and start the sewing! Get ready to bust through your cupboards and shelves of fabric and turn those little bundles into amazing gifts and beautiful (finished) items.
We’ve gathered an amazing treasure trove of 40 free sewing patterns designed specifically to use those treasured fat quarters! From quick gifts and practical accessories to cute home decor, these projects are perfect for using up those smaller cuts of fabric while keeping your sewing machine humming. It’s time to pick your favorites and turn that fat quarter collection into something wonderful!
What is a fat quarter (FQ)?
I’m glad you asked! A normal quarter yard of fabric (cut the traditional way from the bolt) is 9” tall by 42” wide (or more, depending on the width of fabric). To understand a fat quarter, imagine taking a yard of fabric and cutting it in half widthwise first, and then lengthwise to make four pieces of fabric. Each piece of fabric is then 18” tall by 20-22” wide.
Fat quarter bundles are pre-cut quilt fabric stacks that include lots of different fabrics, usually from the same collection so they coordinate nicely. Sometimes your leftover fabric pieces are about the size of a fat quarter, so you can also use all these free sewing patterns for larger scraps.
What kind of things can you make with fat quarter fabric?
You can make anything with precut fat quarter fabric, especially if you like to piece different prints together anyway. Fat quarter friendly projects are helpful because they are supposed to be written with that precut fabric size in mind. Cutting instructions are usually written differently for a fat quarter specific pattern. That doesn’t mean you have to use a FQ friendly pattern though!
Some specific ideas on what to make with fat quarters are quilts, bags, and pumpkins. You can even skip the sewing altogether and use them as wall decor, or toilet paper covers. The possibilities are endless.
Also, it’s perfectly normal (and even acceptable) to buy a fat quarter bundle just to pick out your favorite prints. The rest of the fabric can be put in your stash to use for scraps, or organized into colors for your next fat quarter quilt! If you haven’t sewn a fat quarter quilt yet I highly recommend it; you might even find your new favorite hobby!
Now, on to the fabulous free patterns!
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Microwavable Bowl Cozy
A soup bowl cozy is the greatest invention since the microwave! It’s a cozy little cover for your bowl to help keep hands from being burned. This free bowl cozy pattern includes 3 sizes so you’ll be able to sew lots using fabric yardage, scraps, fat quarters, or even layer cake squares.
Folded Fabric FQ Potholders
This easy folded fabric potholder pattern requires cutting 10” squares from multiple fabrics. They are perfect for mixing and matching coordinates so you can make gifts for all your friends and neighbors! Pre-cuts are perfect for this project, but you can also use scraps!
Mini FQ Christmas Stockings
Sew a cute little Christmas stocking with this free sewing pattern for all your little gifts this year! This free sewing pattern uses just a fat quarter of fabric and some scraps.
FQ Pocket Pod Baskets
This Pocket Pod Basket Pattern will help you organize things in every room in the house! I love these storage pods in my sewing room for notions and tools. They make great craft containers and look adorable on a peg board, in the living room, and on a bedroom nightstand. I think I’ll make another one to use in my car.
FQ Sized Fold Up Baskets
These Fat Quarter Sized Fold Up Baskets are made from 1 fat quarter for the exterior and 1 fat quarter for the interior, with a layer of interfacing in between. Hardly any waste!
Christmas Tree Trivets and Potholders
The finished potholders (both styles) are approximately 15” tall and 11” wide.
These big Christmas Tree Potholders say, ‘I love you enough to make you nice big potholders so you don’t get burned!’ Only you will know that you used stray fat quarters that didn’t match anything else!
FQ Kitchen Tea Towels
Did you also know you can make your own kitchen towels from your fabric stash? Use my free pattern for sewing a Tea Towel from two fat quarters. So pretty!
The Best Square Basket
All you need to make this project is two coordinating FQs and 1/2 yard of fusible fleece. Sew up a cute fat quarter square basket that’s perfect for keeping, giving away, organizing your home, and showing off to all your friends!
Cute Oven Mitts
Learn how to sew an oven mitt with this free oven mitt sewing pattern! This quilted oven mitt makes a thoughtful gift for someone who loves to cook or someone (like me) who tends to get burned when they use regular pot holders. You’ll need just one fat quarter for the exterior and one for the lining.
FQ Patchwork Shower Curtain
Everyone who visits the bathroom next to my sewing room loves my Patchwork Shower Curtain. This adorable shower curtain uses 20-25 fat quarters – so grab that bundle of fat quarter fabric and get started!
Easy FQ Snap Wallets
This free snap wallet pattern includes instructions for making 2 different sizes of card holders – and either size can be made with just one fat quarter!
Chubby Lunch Tote
This fat quarter-friendly pattern takes one fat quarter for the exterior, one for the interior, and some scraps for the handles—get to work sewing the Chubby Lunch Tote pattern!
Easy FQ Dog Bandana
Make your dog the cutest pooch at the park with a bow-tie bandana that you sewed yourself! This free sewing tutorial comes with a free printable pattern template with three different bandana sizes and a how-to video.
Boxy FQ Zipper Pouches
This Boxy Zipper Pouch Pattern is easy enough for beginners, and just right for organizing supplies, cosmetics, or small things when you travel. Thrill any of your friends with this beautiful gift.
See-Through Tote
You will use vinyl and fabric when you sew this handy and beautiful see-through tote. You can repurpose vinyl from store-bought goods for this project, so if you’re anything like me (don’t want to get rid of a useful bag) you won’t have to spend much at all on this great sewing project. Give it a go!
FQ Fabric Gift Box
Do you have the perfect gift, but not the perfect way to present it? Sew a beautiful gift box that’s fat quarter-friendly!
FQ Fabric Basket
Coordinate your baskets using your cutest fabric bundle and you’ll never want anything else to store your belongings. The free pattern from AppleGreen Cottage is useful for making gift baskets and catch-alls.
FQ Cloth Napkins
You can sew DIY cloth napkins. This tutorial shows you two different methods: a regular method and a speed sewing method. I love sewing quickly!!
Peek a Boo FQ Pouch Pattern
The Peek a Boo Pouch is an adorable organizing pouch can be sewn entirely from 1 fat quarter – but I think it’s more fun to switch up the fabrics and make 2 at a time with coordinating prints.
Here’s My Heart FQ Potholder
Put some love in your kitchen with my free fq sewing heart potholder pattern. It’s fat-quarter-friendly. These easy-to-sew hot pads make great gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, and your Valentine!
The Zola Pen Case
When the Zola Pen Case is unzipped, it opens all the way so you can see all your stuff! I cut up multiple FQs to make these darling pouches, but you could also make one case with a single fat quarter.
Cute Organizing Basket
Use my free sewing pattern to sew these helpful hanging baskets. They are a great way to experiment with other types of fabric. Try cork and burlap if you never have. I think you’ll love sewing these as much as you love using them!
Convertible FQ Cross Body Bag
Did you know that one of my most popular free bag patterns is fat quarter friendly? You will need about four fat quarters. One for the exterior, one for the lining, one for the panels at the top of the bag, and another one for the strap. Mix and match for a statement bag!
Pro Tip: Using fat quarters will mean that you’ll need to have a seam in the strap – do that before sewing on the interfacing to make it more sturdy.
FQ Wall Decor
Some of that fabric you have hidden away in your cupboard or on your little fat quarter shelf should be on display! The best part about this storage, um… home decor, is that when you think of the perfect project for that FQ or half-yard, it’s easy to take it down.
FQ Travel Jewelry Organizer
Sew yourself a beautiful Travel Jewelry Case with 3 coordinating fat quarters! That pattern is free too, just like all the rest. Gear up for your next trip and keep everything organized and easy to find.
FQ Drawstring Ditty Bag
Need a cute bag for lingerie, shoes, make-up, scraps, buttons, or any other reason? Sew up the delightful Drawstring Ditty Bag using my free fq sewing pattern!
Mug Caddy Organizer
I know you’re going to love sewing my free Mug Caddy Pattern – it’s the perfect gift to give yourself, your teacher, or your best friend! I used just 2 fat quarters for each mug caddy.
Double Compartment FQ Cross Body Bag
Grab your favorite FQ and sew this awesome cross body bag with 2 main pockets, a slim third pocket, plus a zipper pocket on the back!
Sewing Machine Mat
This sewing machine mat, by The Jolly Jabber, is useful and fat quarter friendly! Make a thoughtful gift out of it for yourself or another sewist.
FQ Amazing A-Frame Organizer
The Amazing A-Frame Organizer with cut-out handles and pleated pockets will change your life! Every room will benefit from this truly amazing tote. This pattern needs generous fat quarters, but it’s worth sewing for sure!
Big Pocket Clutch
Sew a clutch with a big pocket. It’s a perfect size for holding diaper essentials. Use my free sewing pattern for the cutest clutch bag.
Ombre Table Runner
This beautiful table runner is variegated for a unique effect. You can make it in your own style using this free pattern from Modern Handcraft.
FQ Origami Pouch
You can use premade cloth napkins to make this unique origami pouch, or you can use your fat quarters. Isn’t it so pretty?
The FQ Teacher Tote
This free canvas tote pattern is ready for embroidery or applique! Sew them as Christmas gifts for a teacher or friend this year.
Out the Door Organizer
Always be ready to walk out the door with this smart organizer that has pockets and hanging loops for anything you need.
FQ Bike Messenger Bag
This messenger bag tutorial fits on the front of a bike. It’s great for keeping your essentials safe while you’re riding wherever you want to go. Be safe!
Little Kisses Quilt Pattern
My newest quilt pattern is so sweet! The free Little Kisses Quilt Pattern is fun to sew and finishes at 64″ square.
FQ Needlebook Lanyard
Have you ever made a needlebook? It’s clever for inspiration, and doubles as a journal for found bits. It could be used for a youth camp or as a basis for a group game. Either way I think they’re unique and fun.
Dumpling Shaped FQ Pouches
I recently discovered that this free pattern is perfect for using up a fat quarter. You can make 2 cute dumpling shaped pouches with 2 coordinating fat quarters of fabric!
Tiny FQ Tote Bag
Everybody loves sewing, gifting, and using my Tiny Tote Bag! It’s totally fat quarter friendly!
Snappy FQ Tote Bag
Sew up my fast and easy Snappy Tote Bag with some cute fabrics and my free fq sewing pattern. It snaps shut and is perfect for holding just a few essentials to grab & go! It’s also nice for a baby shower gift.
Long FQ Zipper Pouch
Make your own cute DIY Long Zipper Pouch that is long enough to hold pencils, markers, sunglasses, cosmetics, ‘girl supplies’, and more!
FQ Baby Dress
Make a darling baby dress with this free fq sewing pattern. I know you will love seeing those pre-cut fabrics in use.
Bonus: Free Fat Quarter Quilt Patterns
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