How to Print from our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

On this page are instructions for printing the paper piecing patterns and/or templates that may be used in the construction of a block.

You'll also find instructions on how to print a quilt block tutorial—customized to your needs in their entirety using a website resource called 'PrintFriendly'. 

Let's get started.

Use the buttons below to access all the blocks in our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library. 

How to customize and print a tutorial 

I admit, when I started this website back in 2008, it never occurred to me that anyone would want to print the tutorial pages—they're R-E-A-L-L-Y LONG and full of pictures—real ink guzzlers!

'That what you'd really want to print are any templates or paper piecing patterns used to make the block. 

As time marched on, the majority of visitors to this website are using a mobile device—smart phone or tablet—to view it. So in my mind, the need to be able to print the actual tutorial was very small.

However, I'm not always right—please don't tell my kids! :)

A small but persistent group of visitors continued to tell me they want to print the tutorials.

I heard you! :)

So I've dedicated a fair amount of time investigating printing functions. To be honest, I haven't found one that is 'perfect' in my eyes. 

For now, the best I can recommend is:

https://www.printfriendly.com/

Instructions to print the tutorial

For the simplest solution, go to the bottom of any page (even this one) and you'll find a 'Print Article' button.

It quickly allows you to print the page without anything from the right hand column or any of the advertisements. However, it DOES print the entire tutorial or page. You cannot remove anything.

Or...

Click the URL of the tutorial—it starts out with https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com—in your browser bar (red arrow in the photo below) to highlight it. Highlight the whole thing.

Then right-click and copy this URL...

Now go to the printfriendly.com website and paste the URL into the top box (red arrow below) on the PrintFriendly page and hit the 'Preview' button.

You'll notice that the charts don't print out the same way they look on the website...most—but not all—of the color is stripped from them (red arrow below).

That's because the charts are 'coded' to display the way they do on the site. I've tried using pictures, but they render fuzzy—not good for those viewing on mobile devices.

The PrintFriendly program allows you to discard/trash any part of the tutorial that you don't need to print, saving on your printer ink bill.

If you already know how to do a section of a block, why waste the ink, right?

PrintFriendly also offers a browser extension that you can add to your own  computer. I have not added it to mine and so can't make any recommendations as to 'yay' or 'nay'. 

To those of you who prefer to print the entire tutorial it is my hope that this is an acceptable solution.

Just remember, these free quilt block tutorials are detailed and usually require 10 or more pages to print.

How to print
our free paper piecing block patterns
and any templates

Throughout the Free Quilt Block Patterns Library you'll find that some blocks use templates or paper pieced blocks or units in their creation.

You usually print them from a 'Download and Print' section on the tutorial page usually before the cutting instructions, but sometimes after.

They'll either be in a 'Printing' Chart like this...

Print the Flying Geese Pair Units
Finished Block Size	# of copies	Link to PDF Download
2"x2"	1	2"
3"x3"	1	3"
4"x4"	2	4"

...or in a list of unit sizes like this in the Print and Download section...

For a few tutorials, the links to the patterns and templates are in the Cutting Chart, itself.

Just click on the link (which is underlined) under the 'Finished Block Size' of your choice.

Why so many different formats?

With over 165 tutorials to date, the format has evolved. Over time, I'll get them all in the same place, in the same format. Please bear with me...it's much more fun to create new free quilt block patterns for you!

Use Adobe for the best printed pattern and template results

You'll need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and print any of the patterns or templates.

You can get it here (a new window will open so you can download it without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, just click on the link. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As." Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

Once you have saved the file, locate where you saved it, and double click to open.

In order to print, open the downloaded file, and select the "Print" option. Patterns are designed to be printed on letter size paper (8½" x 11").

In order to print blocks at the correct size, under 'Page Sizing and Handling' in the Adobe print menu, set 'Custom Scale' to 100%. Click here to see what it looks like on the Print Menu page.

If you use something other than Adobe, you'll need to set 'Page Scaling' to 'None' to print at '100%'. Selecting at 'Actual Size' tends to print blocks at weird sizes. ( I don't know why, it just does. )

After printing one page, measure it to see that it printed correctly, then print any remaining copies.

For step-by-step illustrated instructions through the download process, click here.