Here are some of my favorite patchwork alphabets:
Spell it With Fabric
This free pdf pattern uses squares, half-square triangles, and half-square rectangles to spell out an alphabet that’s simple to construct, but quite detailed and legible to look at. Every letter looks like what it’s supposed to be! I followed these templates for two out of the three zippered pouches in the top photo.
Detailed Pixel Pieced Patchwork Alphabet
I love the pixel patchwork alphabets for how easy they are to piece, but not every letter looks the way I want it to as simple pixels. Without the “U” to compare it to, for instance, the “V” can look too much like a “U” to work as a monogram. This pattern fixes those problems by adding a few different block types to make the important details. Yes, it makes the blocks more complicated to sew, but then they also become more realistic and accurate. Just look at that beautiful “V!”
Best Day Ever Alphabet
This alphabet is almost as easy as a pixel alphabet, because the template includes the exact dimensions for each piece. If you’re a more novice sewist, make the alphabet exactly as instructed first, then branch out by playing with dimensions to make larger or smaller pieces. Doubling the dimensions is the easiest way to start.
Jelly Roll Alphabet
If you’re looking for a patchwork alphabet that isn’t painstaking to cut out, this is the one for you, because it uses jelly roll fabric! Jelly roll sets often come with all complementary colors, so choose a contrasting background and your design work is pretty much done for you. I really love this colorful example with a white background; pastel colors and whites would look marvelous with a black background.
Spelling Bee
I have this book from the library more often than I don’t! I love the detailing on the patchwork alphabet, and the fact that it includes uppercase and lowercase letters and common symbols. These letters are a little more work than the pixel alphabets, but to me they look like real printed letters.
Paper Pieced Alphabet
If you want to get lots of lovely detail into your patchwork alphabet, paper piecing is absolutely the way to go! This paper pieced alphabet is super fun, and the pattern is free!
FPP Uppercase Alphabet
If you love Foundation Paper Piecing–of if you love to learn new skills!–you’ll love this FPP uppercase alphabet. It looks especially nice at a small scale, so it’s terrific for monogramming or putting cute words and phrases onto things like zipper pouches or Christmas stockings.
Patchwork “K”
If you really do only want to make the letter “k,” then you are in so much luck! However, along with this specific tutorial for the letter “k” comes an overall tutorial for making any letter of the alphabet using this same technique. It’s the best way to get exactly the look that you want!
Patchwork “G”
If you wanted to make an entire patchwork alphabet by using a completely different pattern for each letter, you could almost accomplish it simply by researching these types of demo tutorials! As with the patchwork “k,” above, this tutorial demonstrates the making of just a single letter from this alphabet, the “g.” If you need a “g,” you’re in luck! Otherwise, you can find the tutorials for the rest of these little letters by searching them out one by one on the author’s site.
Applique Alphabet
Applique isn’t patchwork, but it’s also a very valid way to get alphabet letters onto your patchwork creation! I love these templates that are thoughtfully created to make sure there are no fiddly narrow parts and the widows are as least annoying as possible. Do YOU have a favorite patchwork alphabet to sew? Tell us about it in the Comments!
