Whether you are a cat owner or not, you’ll have fun with this simple cat quilt block pattern! Perfect for beginner quilters, this cat face quilt block comes together quickly. You can embellish the cat’s face with hand or machine embroidery to bring personality to the block.

Here is our free pattern to make a cat quilt block. For a mini quilt, just make one block and finish it off.

No need to download a PDF pattern, worry about paper patterns, or printing freezer paper patterns. This simple pattern just uses two fabrics and makes an adorable quilt block.

Here is a layout of the cat quilt block. It uses two fabrics, one for the cat face and one for the background fabric.

One cat face quilt block

How to Make a Cat Quilt Block

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Make this adorable cat quilt block and personalize it with hand embroidery.

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Here are our detailed instructions for quilters of all skill levels.

Materials

8-inch square of two different fabrics, one for the cat and one for the background. You can use fabric scraps or two fat quarters
Thread for sewing
OPTIONAL: Embroidery thread or floss for embroidering the face

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Pressing surface or ironing board
Rotary cutter
Quilter's ruler
Cutting mat
Fabric marker, I used a Frixion pen and Clover white marking pen for marking on the black fabric

Instructions

Start by cutting out your fabrics. For each 6-inch finished block, you'll need to cut:

Background fabric:
Cut two (2) pieces 1-1/4 inch x 6-1/2 inch for the side borders
Cut one (1) 2-inch x 2-inch square
Cut one (1) 2-3/8 inch x 2-3/8 inch square for the background on the ear

Fabric for the cat face:
Cut one (1) 5-inch x 4-1/4 inch rectangle for the cat face
Cut one (1) 2-3/8 inch x 2-3/8 inch square for the cat ear

I decided to use black and white fabrics. Here are my pieces cut out for four quilt blocks.
Let's make the half-square triangles. Read our article with seven ways to make half square triangles.

Start by drawing a diagonal line on one of the 2-3/8 inch squares with a fabric marker. I used a Frixion pen.
Layer the fabric with the diagonal drawn line with the second fabric right sides together. With the marked side up, sew a 1/4-inch on each side of the marked line.
If you are making more than one quilt block, you can chain sew multiples at the same time to make it quicker.
Take the sewn piece to your cutting mat. Cut along the marked line making two half square triangles.
Press the seam to your preference. Read our article about pressing seams. Here are all of the parts laid out and ready to sew together. See the ears in the upper corners?
Next, with the right sides together, sew the half square triangle to the small square block forming the cat ear units with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Make sure you have the triangles going in the right direction. Press seams.

Now we'll form the center section for the cat face. Sew the ear section to the top of the center rectangle with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew the bottom border strip to the center rectangle for the bottom of the block. Press.
To finish the cat face quilt block, sew the side border strips with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
If you'd like, now you can have fun making the cat faces! I sketched the faces onto the quilt blocks with a removable fabric marker. I used a Frixion pen on the white fabric and the Clover white fabric marker on the black fabric.
I decided to hand embroider the faces on the quilt blocks.
Here are my completed four cat quilt blocks.

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I’ve got angelic white kitties and black cats to bring good fortune in my little piece.

Ideas for personalizing your cat block

Thread sketch with your sewing machine to bring your cat block to life.
Use your embroidery attachment or embroidery machine and stitches to stitch out the cat face. There might be a built in design with your machine, you can purchase one or design one yourself.
Design your own cat appliqué pattern. Use bits and pieces of fabric scraps to design the eyes and nose. Then stitch the mouth and whiskers on the cat’s face.

Project ideas for using your cat quilt blocks

Make a single block for the cat lover in your life to use as a coaster or mug rug!
Line up a row of sassy cat faces to make a table runner.
Four cat faces full of personality would be perfect to embellish a tote bag.
Make a little quilt for a wall hanging, or for a little one in your life to cover their stuffed animals or dolls for naptime.
Make a place mat and use a cat block in the upper right hand corner where you place your drink.
Have fun playing with different fabrics. Use bright colors for sassy cats. Cat fabrics could be cute for the background pieces or the backing fabric for your quilt.

Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.