Riley Blake I Dream In Color - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake I Dream In Color Panel Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Crayola

The I Dream In Color Panel Quilt is a vibrant, beginner-friendly quilting project designed by Crayola in partnership with Riley Blake Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern is completely free and guides quilters through constructing a cheerful, colorful quilt with a finished size of 59" x 67½". It is an ideal project for those who are new to quilting but already have a basic understanding of quilting techniques and terminology.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a panel quilt centered around the I Dream In Color fabric collection from Riley Blake Designs. The design showcases a large fussy-cut center panel surrounded by multiple coordinating borders, creating a bold, colorful quilt that celebrates the iconic Crayola color palette. The finished quilt is suitable as a lap quilt, child's quilt, or decorative throw.

Design Structure and Layout

The quilt is built around a single large fussy-cut center panel measuring 33½" x 42", cut from the I Dream In Color Multi Panel (P8805 Multi). Surrounding this focal point are four distinct borders that frame and expand the design outward to the finished dimensions.

• Border 1: A simple, straight-cut border with side borders measuring 42" and top and bottom borders measuring 36", cut from solid or tonal fabric.
• Border 2 (Pieced Border): A dynamic strip-pieced border constructed from I Dream In Color Rolie Polie rectangles cut to 2½" x 5½". For the top and bottom borders, 18 rectangles are sewn together along their long sides, then trimmed to match the width of the center panel including Border 1. Corner squares cut from the White Toss (C8804 White) fabric at 5½" square are added to each end. For the side borders, 22 rectangles are joined and trimmed to match the panel length. This pieced border is one of the most visually engaging elements of the quilt, introducing a rainbow of Crayola-inspired hues in a structured strip format.
• Border 3: Side borders measuring 54½" and top and bottom borders measuring 48½", adding further structure and width to the quilt.
• Border 4: The outermost border, with side borders at 57" and top and bottom borders at 59", bringing the quilt to its full finished size.

Techniques Used

This quilt pattern introduces and reinforces several foundational quilting techniques, making it an excellent learning project for beginners while still being satisfying for more experienced quilters looking for a fun, fast make.

• Fussy cutting: The center panel requires careful fussy cutting to isolate the printed panel design at a precise 33½" x 42" measurement, ensuring the motifs are centered and well-framed.
• Strip piecing: The pieced Border 2 is assembled by sewing multiple 2½" x 5½" rectangles together along their long edges, a classic strip-piecing technique that creates a colorful, scrappy band of fabric.
• Straight-set borders: All borders are applied in a traditional straight-set method, with side borders sewn first, followed by top and bottom borders — a standard quilting construction approach.
• Measuring through the quilt center: The pattern specifically instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border strips, an important technique for preventing wavy or distorted borders.
• Seam allowance consistency: All measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance, and all pieces are sewn with right sides together unless otherwise noted.
• Binding: The pattern includes binding as part of the fabric requirements, indicating a traditional bound finish for the quilt edges.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

As a quilting pattern, the primary construction method relies on straight-line machine stitching throughout. All seams are sewn at a consistent ¼" seam allowance, which is the industry standard for quilting. Precise cutting and accurate seam allowances are emphasized to ensure