These Quilt Kits Teach You How to Make Your Own Blanket

Quilting originates from a rich, storied history of makers in America. Today, designers are continuing this legacy with modern patterns packaged into ready-to-buy kits for you. All of these projects are ideal for beginners. If you want to finish a quilt without the commitment of selecting fabrics yourself, a kit often includes everything you need: fat quarter bundles, precut appliqués, binding, backing, and a pattern that's ensured to be accurate, clear, and complete. They come in all sizes—bed quilts, throws, and lap blankets. And the stitchwork techniques you learn in these kits can be applied to other projects, too.

If you're new to quilting, one of the first terms you'll learn is a "quilt block." So, what is it? Traditionally, quilts were made to be bed covers and sewn by hand. Because of this laborious task to sew a large quilt, smaller blocks of fabric—in a variety of patterns or a repeating pattern—were sewn, piece by piece, to form the whole quilt. With these kits, you can try your hand at a variety of techniques in quilting: log cabin, Amish stars, kaleidoscope, amongst other blocks. For instance, pictured here, the original pattern was designed by Meghan Buchanan of Then Came June—and this particular kit ($57.60, finchsewingstudio.etsy.com) includes the fabric required. This project used two traditional blocks, the Nine Patch and Sawtooth Star, in order to create a modern design.

Pick one of these artisanal kits and get started today—any one of them will teach you how to enjoy an heirloom of your own making.

This beginners kit will guide you step-by-step through the process of crafting your first quilt. Materials include borders, binding, and backing, plus extra fabric to practice cutting, sewing, and pressing. And once done, you can try their coordinating pillow project.

Shop Now: Shabby Fabrics Learn to Quilt Beginner Kit, $84.50, shabbyfabrics.com.

The instructions included in this kit will teach you two methods: quilting a modern design by hand or machine. Inside you'll find high-quality materials like Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton for backing and binding, Mettler Silk Finish thread, and Quilter's Dream cotton batting. 

Shop Now: Happy Quilts Co. DIY Quilt Kit, $104, purlsoho.com.

The delicate stars seem to float as you gaze across this quilt. Classic stars and a soft, low-volume background create the perfect intersection of traditional and modern quilting. 

Shop Now: Phoebe Moon Designs "Floating Stars" Quilt Kit, $80, connectingthreads.com.

This quilt combines the artistic vision of two makers: Andrea Tsang Jackson of Third Story Workshop and Alissa Kloet of Keephouse. Inspired by the Atlantic Coast, this quilt project includes two new prints—one depicting Awater designed by Tsang Jackson and one reflecting the shore by Kloet.

Shop Now: Keephouse Studio Nautical Quilt Kit, $78, keephousestudio.etsy.com.

On a smaller scale, this lap quilt measures 50 by 68 inches. Take a closer look at its bold pattern to reveal the blooming flowers that appear in these bright pink and red colors. Its borderless mix of color and geometrics is a nod to modern quilting with style.

Shop Now: Meadow Mist Designs "Check Plus" Warm Lap Quilt Kit, $49.99, amazon.com.

Designer Rashida Coleman-Hale of Eye Candy Quilts presents this beautiful evergreen-inspired quilt—it's rendered in a speckled yarn-dyed base fabric that's printed with a subtle paint splatter pattern.

Shop Now: Ruby Star Society Rashida Coleman-Hale "Speckled Conifer" Quilt Kit, $142.91, amazon.com.

Designed by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts, this month-by-month kit sends instructions and fabric for each section of the quilt along with pre-cut, pre-fused appliqués in tree branches, birds, and snowflakes.

Shop Now: Missouri Star Quilt Co. "Winter Village II" Block of the Month Kit, from $48.95, missouriquiltco.com.

Chintz florals and modern hues combine in this blanket's design. It features fabric from the Sweet Marion collection by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics—including the pattern and fabric for the top (backing fabric not included).

Shop Now: Moda Fabrics "Sweet Marion Quilt" Kit, $149.99, amazon.com.

It uses fabric from the "Basic Grey" collection for Moda Fabrics that boasts bold floral, scrollwork, and lace patterns.

Shop Now: It's Sew Emma "Lantern Lights" Quilt Kit, $129.98, fatquartershop.com.

Modern designer Elizabeth Hartman lends her eye to this whimsical design of rainbow parrots. Each lovely bird is traditionally pieced, no paper piecing needed.

Shop Now: Missouri Quilt Co. "Pretty Birds" Kit, $174.95, missouriquiltco.com.