The joyful and colorful celebration of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, offers a rich tapestry of vibrant imagery and heartfelt symbolism. This beautiful Mexican tradition, which honors deceased loved ones with lively festivities, is a profound expression of remembrance and life. The intricate designs of sugar skulls, marigolds, and playful skeletons translate wonderfully into fabric art.
We’ve gathered a collection of inspiring Day of the Dead quilt patterns to help you celebrate this beautiful tradition in stitches. These patterns, ranging from simple skull silhouettes to more intricate, multi-fabric designs, offer something for quilters of all skill levels.
Free Day Of The Dead Quilt Patterns – Top Picks
1. Free Quilt Pattern: Dia De Muertos
Lynne Goldsworthy’s Dia De Muertos Quilt Pattern for PBS Fabrics is a vibrant celebration of tradition and artistry. Measuring 70 inches square, the design highlights a bold sugar skull centerpiece filled with intricate details. Appliquéd hearts and floral-inspired eyes bring character to the skull, while a ring of appliquéd flowers creates a striking frame around the quilt.
The combination of piecing and appliqué makes this project both dynamic and approachable, even for an advanced beginner. Its use of lively fabrics enhances the festive spirit of the design. The finished quilt stands as a joyful tribute to memory, culture, and creative expression.
2. Free Quilt Pattern: Papel Picado
Recreate the delicate beauty of a beloved folk art with the Papel Picado Quilt Pattern by Heidi Pridemore. This intermediate-level 51 ½” x 58 ½” quilt for Andover Fabrics captures the look of traditional, intricately cut paper banners. The design features a stunning array of these banners, which are created using appliqué or detailed piecing.
This is a wonderful project for showcasing the vibrant fabrics from a Day of the Dead collection. Its finished size is perfect for a festive throw or a spectacular wall hanging. The final quilt is a unique and stunning tribute to the beautiful artistry of Papel Picado.
3. Free Quilt Pattern: Lady Skellington
The Lady Skellington Quilt Pattern by Stacey Day for FreeSpirit Fabrics brings a touch of elegance and mystery to Halloween quilting. Designed as an intermediate project, it results in a striking 34″ x 42″ wall quilt that highlights a refined female skeleton motif. Quilters can choose from three appliqué methods—raw-edge fusible, needle-turn, or machine turned-edge—making the process adaptable to different preferences and skill sets.
Its bold, graphic style pairs beautifully with modern fabric collections. Beyond technique, the design offers both artistry and versatility. The finished quilt makes a stylish statement piece for seasonal décor.
4. Free Quilt Pattern: Block Party
Join the spookiest celebration on the block with the Block Party Quilt Pattern by Kathy Mack. This modern 40-inch square wall hanging features a fun and eclectic mix of nine different blocks. The design cleverly combines precise paper pieced houses with improvisational, free-pieced log cabin blocks.
It’s a fantastic pattern for diving into your stash of spooky prints and for fussy cutting a few goblins to be the party hosts. This is a wonderfully creative project, full of texture and personality. The finished quilt is a playful and artistic scene that captures the fun of a Halloween neighborhood get-together.
BONUS Day Of The Dead Quilt Patterns For Sale from Online Shops
1. Sugar Skull Quilt Block Pattern (PDF Downloadable Pattern For Sale)
The Sugar Skull Quilt Block Pattern turns the iconic symbol of Mexican culture into a striking patchwork design through Foundation Paper Piecing. Intricate details such as bold eye sockets and a forehead star come together with the crisp precision FPP provides. With both 12-inch and 16-inch block sizes included, the pattern is flexible enough for a range of creative projects.
Its approachable design makes it a great choice for quilters at any skill level. Whether made for Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, the block adds festive energy to your quilting. The finished result is a unique piece full of artistry and cultural charm.
2. Bride and Groom Sugar Skull Quilt Pattern (Downloadable Pattern For Sale)
The Bride and Groom Sugar Skull Quilt Pattern by Angie Padilla captures a joyful love story with vibrant folk-art charm. Measuring 32″ x 36″, the quilt is arranged in three horizontal panels that tell a festive tale. At the heart of the design, the appliquéd sugar skull bride and groom take center stage, complete with a mustache and top hat for the groom. Surrounding them, six smaller skull blocks fill the top and bottom panels, adding balance and celebration to the layout.
Straightforward construction combines piecing for the borders and sashing with appliqué for the motifs, making the project accessible even for beginners. The finished quilt blends tradition and creativity, resulting in a colorful and meaningful piece of art.
3. Dia De Los Muertos Quilt Block Patterns (PDF Pattern Instant Download For Sale)
Create a stunning collection of cultural icons with the Dia De Los Muertos Quilt Block set from Joe June and Mae. This is a value-packed set of six different Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) patterns. The collection includes a huge variety of motifs, featuring a Sugar Skull, a Frida Kahlo portrait, and four unique sacred heart designs.
Incredible versatility is offered, as each of the six patterns comes in multiple sizes, allowing for endless creative combinations. You can mix and match these blocks to create a custom sampler quilt, pillows, or individual mini quilts. This pattern set is a fantastic way to build a beautiful gallery of fabric art.
4. Vida Y Muerta Quilt Pattern (Download Pattern For Sale)
Make a spectacular and artistic statement with the Vida Y Muerta Quilt Pattern by Hanna. This stunning quilt features a single, magnificent sugar skull as its large-scale, bold centerpiece. The intricate skull is framed by pieced star blocks of various sizes, creating a dynamic and celebratory layout.
This project combines a large-scale pieced skull with a beautifully pieced star border, resulting in a breathtaking piece of textile art. At a generous 74″ x 98″ twin size, this is a truly impressive quilt designed to be the focal point of a bedroom. The finished quilt is a beautiful and powerful design that celebrates the cultural theme of “Vida Y Muerta” (Life and Death).
5. Meet the Skellytones Quilt Pattern (PDF Pattern Instant Download For Sale)
Strike up the band for a joyful celebration with the Meet the Skellytones Quilt pattern by Lisa Fryxell. This whimsical 14″ x 40″ pattern creates a delightful wall hanging or table runner, featuring a vertical stack of festive skeleton characters. The lively characters are brought to life with a combination of piecing for their festive hats and outfits and appliqué for their expressive faces.
Two of the skeletons are ready to play musical instruments, bringing a wonderful sense of mariachi spirit to the scene. A fun feature of this pattern is the opportunity to embellish your troop with trims, beads, and buttons for extra personality and flair. The finished quilt is a charming and festive piece, full of musical and celebratory spirit.
Here Are More Day of the Dead Quilt Ideas For Inspiration
Colorful appliqué and detailed stitching bring this celebratory sugar skull to life.
From tropical drinks to festive guitars, this quilt is a fun celebration of Día de los Muertos.
Look closely to see the tiny skulls that make up the features of this giant calavera quilt.
A beautiful La Catrina is framed by a starburst of celestial purple and black fabrics.
With a rainbow of graphic skulls, this quilt has a fun and modern feel for Día de los Muertos.
Beneath a full moon and a bright red heart, this skeletal couple shares an everlasting love.
Adorned with a floral crown and a little black bird, this appliqué skull has a playful personality.
Geometric and colorful, this pieced sugar skull features diamond eyes and star-shaped cheeks.
From her floral crown to the blossoms at her feet, this latest quilt is a celebration of life.
Bright, detailed, and festive, this paper-pieced sugar skull is the centerpiece of a new quilt.
Day of the Dead quilt patterns offer a fantastic way to honor loved ones, celebrate a rich cultural tradition, and add a touch of vibrant, artistic flair to your projects. These designs, with their potential for stunning color palettes and intricate details, can transform any quilt into a meaningful work of art. Whether you’re crafting a celebratory piece for an ofrenda, a unique wall hanging, or a comforting throw, these patterns provide endless possibilities.
We hope this curated collection has inspired you to explore the creative world of Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, quilting. It’s time to choose your favorite pattern and bring this beautiful celebration to life!
