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Animal quilt projects range from a small pillow or pot holder to a full quilt, and the motif can be pieced, appliquéd, fussy-cut, or made with curved blocks. Choose a project by how it will be used, its finished size, and the construction method—not just by the animal on the fabric.
What kinds of animal quilt projects can you make?
Animal motifs work in both quilts and smaller sewn projects. The AllPeopleQuilt roundup, updated March 5, 2021, shows 24 entries in a collection described as more than 20 projects. Examples include an owl throw, butterfly quilt, bunny design, pot holders, rooster blocks, and bird appliqué.
The same idea can become a practical gift or display piece rather than a bed covering. Projects in the roundup include pillows, ornaments, a tote bag, and a journal cover, as well as throws. For a soft sculpture instead of a flat quilt, its examples also include a stuffed bird toy.
Choose a project by finished size and use
Published dimensions help narrow the choice, but each pattern defines its own finished size and scope. These examples are not interchangeable recipes:
#1 Best Overall
| Pattern | Published size and layout | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Animal Quilt | 36½ inches square; nine blocks in a three-by-three layout, with 12-inch finished blocks | Log Cabin blocks use a fussy-cut animal-print center. |
| ABC Animals | 45 by 63 inches | Robert Kaufman credits Ariga Mahmoudlou as designer; the project uses Kona Cotton. |
| Animal Kingdom | Top measures 58½ by 72½ inches; 20 blocks arranged in five rows of four | Riley Blake’s pattern PDF bears a 2021 copyright date and includes finishing instructions. |
| Wee Animal Quilt tutorial | Approximately 45 inches square | Animals are assembled from quarter-circle pieces in four- or six-block groupings with sashing; its author says the free tutorial is not pattern tested. |
For a baby quilt, wall hanging, or gift accessory, consider where it will be displayed or used and whether its dimensions suit that purpose. A throw-sized design may call for more cutting and assembly than a small project, while a pillow or pot holder can make a focused way to use an animal motif.
Pick a construction method that suits the design
Block piecing and foundation piecing
Pieced blocks build the motif from fabric shapes and strips. The AllPeopleQuilt examples include a strip-pieced owl throw with open space for quilting and rooster blocks made with foundation piecing. A conventional block layout can be a sensible choice if you prefer assembling units and rows.
Appliqué
Appliqué places animal shapes on a background rather than constructing the entire image from small pieced units. The roundup includes wool-appliqué bunnies and fused bird appliqué. A butterfly example combines fussy-cut appliqué with a quilt-as-you-go bargello background.
Fussy-cut print centers
In the Baby Animal Quilt, the center of each Log Cabin block is a 2½-inch square cut from an animal print. The scale and repeat of the chosen print matter: plan the center cuts so the desired part of the motif fits within the square. AllPeopleQuilt notes that the required amount of fussy-cut fabric can vary with the print.
Rank #3
Curved quarter-circle blocks
Dani Miller’s Wee Animal Quilt tutorial, dated January 30, 2014, constructs animal shapes with quarter-circle pieces. It suggests using paper or acrylic templates, or a Drunkard’s Path cutting die. Miller explicitly says the free tutorial has not been pattern tested, so account for that uncertainty before cutting valuable fabric.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check fabric and supplies in the selected pattern
There is no universal materials list for animal quilts. The cited patterns use quilting cotton, solids, prints, or animal-print fabric in different ways. Batting, backing, and binding appear in quilt finishing lists; embroidery floss and a template or die apply to the curved-block tutorial. Gather supplies from the pattern you intend to make rather than treating these examples as one combined shopping list.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Great product!
Rank #4
- Use the pattern’s yardage and cutting chart. The Baby Animal Quilt’s yardage assumes 42 inches of usable fabric width, and its fussy-cut requirement may change with the print.
- Check finishing requirements. The Baby Animal Quilt lists quantities for blocks, binding, backing, and batting. Animal Kingdom instructs the maker to layer the top, batting, and backing, then bind.
- Match the print to the block. For fussy-cut centers, verify the motif’s size and repeat before buying or cutting.
- Review the instructions before starting. Confirm the pattern’s dimensions, construction method, and testing status, especially if the project uses curves.
A quick way to narrow your options
- Decide what you are making: a baby quilt, throw, wall hanging, pillow, or small accessory.
- Set a size target: compare it with the pattern’s stated finished dimensions, not just the block size.
- Choose the technique: block piecing, appliqué, fussy-cut centers, foundation piecing, or curved piecing.
- Read the material and cutting details: check yardage assumptions, print placement, backing, batting, and binding as applicable.
- Assess the instruction detail and testing information: decide whether the pattern is a good fit for your current skills and tolerance for adjustment.
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