If you’re anything like me, the allure of a charm pack is just too tempting! Those cute little stacks of 5″ squares are ready to go and full of potential. Free Charm pack quilt patterns are a fantastic way to dive into a new quilting project without having to commit to cutting fabric for hours (we’ve all been there!).
Whether you’re whipping up a quick throw size quilt, table runners, or even tote bags, charm packs offer so much versatility. Plus, with so many free quilt patterns and tutorials out there, you’ll never run out of inspiration.
Charm pack squares are perfect for quilters of any skill level.
You can piece charm packs into stunning modern quilt patterns, create half-square triangles, or use them for a simple patchwork quilt. I find that when I’m looking for a quick project, I grab a charm pack and let my creativity flow.
The best part? They save so much time! No need to measure and cut, just start sewing and enjoy the process. You can even download free PDFs and digital downloads of quilt patterns, making the process even easier.
If you’re just starting out or need a project that doesn’t require much brainpower, charm packs are a lot of fun and an easy way to create a beautiful quilt.
A Brief History of Charm Packs
Charm packs have been a game-changer in the quilting world. Pre-cut fabric became more mainstream in the early 2000s when companies like the Fat Quarter Shop and other local quilt shops realized that quilters needed fabric in ready-to-go sizes.
The idea was inspired by nickel quilts—those made with 5″ squares of fabric, which became popular in South Africa and beyond.
As pre-cut fabric gained popularity, charm packs (typically containing 42 squares) emerged as a standard size. Today, they’re a staple in modern quilting projects, offering convenience and endless creativity.
Benefits of Using Pre-Cut Fabrics
Using pre-cut fabrics like charm packs is an absolute game changer! You don’t have to spend much time cutting, which is perfect if you’re eager to jump into the fun part of sewing.
Pre-cuts offer uniformity, which helps ensure a perfect fit for your quilt blocks. Precut squares like charm packs or smaller versions, such as mini charm packs (adorable 2.5″ squares), allow you to try out new color combinations and designs without committing to cutting into full yards of fabric.
Plus, there are other sizes available, like fat quarter bundles and layer cakes, that give you even more creative flexibility.
If you don’t have a bundle available – don’t be afraid of cutting your own squares to make your own pack.
Quick Tips & Hints for Charm Packs
- Use a White Background: Using a white or neutral yard of background fabric helps your colorful charm pack squares pop!
- Piece Charm Packs into HSTs: Half-square triangles (HSTs) are super easy to make from charm packs and add a dynamic touch to any quilt.
- Mix and Match: Feel free to combine different colors and patterns for a unique look. It’s all about having fun!
- Smaller Projects: Don’t want to make a full quilt? Charm packs are perfect for smaller versions of projects like lap quilts or home decor.
- Keep a Free Quilt Tutorial Handy: There are lots of patterns available for free, including fast four-patch quilt tutorials and beautiful charm pack patterns for table runners or tote bags.
50 Free Charm Pack Quilt Patterns
Make a super cute Charm Blossom Quilt and simple baby blanket with a charm pack of fabric plus a little bit of background fabric.
It won’t take a lot of fabric, or time to sew up this cute quilt.
It features a simple snowball quilt block design that is collected in four – four petals. The center of the flower is just another corner from the snowball quilt block.
Safari Party Charm Quilt – surround your charm pack with sashing. This is a great quilt for showcasing the beautiful prints from the fabric line.
If you are a fan of the disappearing quilt blocks, this is a great quilt. Using the 5″ squares and a four patch layout, this quilt comes together pretty quick.
Starry Charms is a charm pack quilt from Fat Quarter Shop’s Shortcut Quilt Series. This adorable quilt comes in 3 sizes (crib, toddler, and lap) and is made up of friendship star blocks. You can follow along with Kimberly as she makes this quilt in the video tutorial below!
This is a quilt that you can sew up in a weekend. If you don’t have a complete collection, this would be great for using your scraps as well.
I love this Pinwheel baby quilt – and look at the prairie points on the border! So cute.
It is quite simple to make the Fresh Diamonds quilt, it’s great for beginners wanting to take that next step up from piecing squares.
Crossroads Quilt is a larger quilt – but still uses the same 5″ sized square fabrics.
If you don’t have time to make a whole quilt, make a table runner! The Summer Splash table runner is a great place to start.
Chandelier is a FREE charm pack pattern by Vanessa Goertzen. It features cascading diamonds and originates from my book: Charm School – 18 Quilts from 5″ Squares.
The free quilt pattern is made piecing only 5-inch squares, so it is super fast to assemble and is perfect for a beginner quilter or someone who just likes a quick and easy project.
This is very easy to do, but I wanted a different look, so I chose ginghum check fabric for the Modern Square Garden quilt sashing and the borders.
I’m going to show you how to create a chevron quilt where each stripe is a different fabric, without a solid between each one, like this.
Moda Hunky Dory charm pack quilt using disappearing 9 patch quilt blocks tutorial.
Rosey Half Square Triangle Quilt
This Ribbon Candy quilt tutorial makes a finished 36″ × 40″ crib size baby quilt and uses exactly one 42 piece charm pack.
Make your own half square triangle charm pack quilt.
Moda Charm Pack Challenge Baby Quilt
This pattern takes a classic four-patch quilt block and turns it into a sweet quilt made specifically for charm packs! Charming Four Patch: A Free Two Charm Pack Quilt Pattern by Hailey Stitches
Super Star Quilt – love the curved corners, perfect for a baby quilt.
The Falling Charms quilt is as great one to show off your fun prints – both in the quilt and the border.
Charm Poppy quilt by Sew Can She
Patchwork Gingham Quilt Pattern and Tutorial by Elizabeth Chappell
Friendship quilt – love the mixing up of fabric with signed squares. Great for any occasion, baby shower, wedding, birthday.
Bullseye Quilt by Ruby Star Society
This pattern uses 4.5’’ squares, but you could use your charm squares, which would result in a slightly larger quilt.
Summer Picnic Quilt by Ruby Star Society
I love the colors here. The pattern uses 5’’ squares, so it’s perfect for charm packs!
Simple Patchwork Baby Quilt Tutorial by Polka Dot Chair
Quick Charm Pack Baby Quilt Pattern & Tutorial What’s more fun that quilting for a new baby? A fast finish, of course! This quick charm pack baby quilt pattern is a perfect choice for a last minute gift and the results are charming. Just follow the simple charm pack quilt pattern in the free download
A quilt pattern – Cottage Charm – that is truly beginner friendly. The hardest step in this entire pattern is sewing the 1/4″ seam. That is it. Simple and yet hard if you are a beginner intimidated by all the amazing designs out there.
Very simple layout for a small quilt/wallhanging. All 42 charm squares were laid out as shown above and then I added three rounds of kona snow borders.
Sew the cutest thread spool quilt with my free Spool Quilt Pattern, and guess what – you can use pre-cut charm squares!
I called the pattern “Jane’s Ladder” as it’s a variation of the traditional Jacob’s Ladder quilt block, but I inverted the colors in block B and alternated them for a fun diagonal design.
The quilt measures 40″ x 40″. I called it Splashdown and it is a tribute to the way astronauts returned safely to earth in early space travel: their capsule would descend through the atmosphere, deploy parachutes and then land in the ocean. In the quilt, the center plus sign indicates the intended landing site, and the outward echoing half-square triangles represent the landing “splash”!
I have named it “Charmed Whirlygigs” because using charm squares make it oh so easy.
It’s made of five four-patch units and four half-triangle units. It’s quite an easy block to make up but is time consuming to put together (cutting, sewing and pressing).
FAQs About Charm Packs
1. What is a charm pack?
A charm pack is a bundle of pre-cut 5″ fabric squares, typically with 42 squares per pack.
2. How much fabric do I need for a charm quilt?
This depends on the finished size of your quilt. A throw size usually takes a couple of charm packs plus extra background fabric.
3. Can I make a full quilt with charm packs?
Absolutely! You can make anything from a patchwork quilt to more complex designs like a colorful diamond shape or a simple design with half-square triangles.
4. Are charm pack quilts beginner-friendly?
Yes! Charm pack quilts are ideal for all skill levels. They’re a great option for quilters who want to try out new quilting projects without much cutting involved.
Charm Packs for Every Quilter
Charm packs offer endless possibilities. Whether you’re making a lap quilt, patchwork tote bag, or a fast table runner, these fun-filled fabric charm packs make every project a breeze. You can find charm packs at your local quilt shop or online at places like Fat Quarter Shop. Many patterns come with free PDFs or download links, so you can easily get started on your next project. With charm packs, quilting becomes an easy way to create beautiful, finished quilts that you’ll love to show off!
Just be sure to check out the terms of use and privacy policy when downloading patterns online—you’ll be all set to create lots of patterns from these handy, colorful squares!
More Quilting Resources
- Layer cake quilt patterns
- How many jelly rolls do you need for a quilt
- 50+ Jelly roll quilt patterns
- 30+ cute mug rug patterns
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Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Thank you for the parade of charm pack quilts! I enjoyed all of them. Charm packs and jelly rolls are my favorite type of fabric bundles! Always so much fun and inspiration to see all the fabrics of a line together 🙂