Stash Busters: 35 Free Fat Quarter Sewing Patterns
Calling all fat quarters! Whole bundles or leftover pieces; I think you’ll find just what you’re looking for in this batch of free FQ sewing patterns.
Fat Quarters make the world go ’round! Agree with me or not, there’s something special about a pile of coordinating fabric from a brilliant designer. Sometimes I buy a whole bundle for one specific print. Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe with your favorite bundle; let’s show it off!
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 contain lots of different fabrics, usually from the same collection to coordinate nicely.
The following free patterns are designed not only to highlight the beautiful prints, but to use as much of that delightful piece of fabric as possible. I hope you love sewing these designs as much as I do!
FQ 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!
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!
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! Fat quarters are perfect for this project, but you can also use scraps!
The Best FQ Square Basket
All you need to make this project is two coordinating fat quarters 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!
The FQ 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 fat quarters to make these darling pouches, but you could also make one case with a single fat quarter.
FQ 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.
The FQ Teacher Tote
This free canvas tote pattern is fat quarter friendly, and ready for embroidery or applique!
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.
Cute FQ 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 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 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.
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!
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!
FQ Needlebook Lanyard
You should make 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!
Christmas Tree FQ 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!
Fat Quarter Cloth Napkins
You can make DIY cloth napkins from fat quarters. This tutorial shows you two different methods: a regular method and a speed sewing method. I love sewing quickly!!
Microwavable FQ 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.
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.
Ombre FQ 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.
Dumpling Shaped FQ Pouches
I recently discovered that this 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!
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!
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.
Mini FQ Christmas Stockings
Sew a cute little Christmas stocking with this free sewing pattern for all your little gifts this year! This free pattern uses just a fat quarter of fabric and some scraps.
FQ 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!
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.
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 heart potholder pattern. It’s fat-quarter-friendly. These easy-to-sew hot pads make great gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, and your Valentine!
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.
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!
Snappy FQ Tote Bag
Sew up my fast and easy Snappy Tote Bag with some cute fat quarters. It snaps shut and is perfect for holding just a few essentials to grab & go! It’s also nice for a baby shower gift.
Double Compartment FQ Cross Body Bag
Grab your favorite fat quarters and sew this awesome cross body bag with 2 main pockets, a slim third pocket, plus a zipper pocket on the back!
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 Sewing Machine Mat
This sewing mat from The Jolly Jabber is useful and fat quarter friendly! Hopefully this will help you keep all your things in one place, but I know how it can be. Enjoy!
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!
FQ Baby Dress
Make a darling baby dress with this pattern. I know you will love seeing those fat quarters in use.
Bonus: Fat Quarter Quilt Patterns
More from SewCanShe:
Quilt Fabric Magic! 33 Fabulous Bag Patterns
Yes, Your Kids Can Sew This! 33 Ideal Beginner Patterns
50 Free Sewing Patterns For a Beautiful Kitchen!
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. 🙂