Riley Blake Scary Story Book Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Scary Story Book Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by J. Wecker Frisch

The Scary Story Book Quilt is a charming, Halloween-inspired quilted throw designed by J. Wecker Frisch and published by Riley Blake Designs. This free downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished quilt measuring 44¼" x 55½", making it an ideal lap quilt or decorative seasonal piece. The design showcases fussy-cut book-page squares arranged in a structured grid of blocks, sashing, and cornerstones, framed by a coordinating border — a classic quilting layout that feels both nostalgic and festive.

What Is Being Made

This project is a pieced quilt built around a central panel-based design. Twelve large fussy-cut squares, each measuring 9¾" x 9¾", are cut directly from the Goose Tales Book Panel (P9391 Panel), centering each cut over individual illustrated book pages printed on the fabric. These feature squares are arranged in a four-row by three-column grid and separated by sashing strips and cornerstones, creating a structured, storybook-style layout. A border frames the completed quilt center on all four sides. The result is a cohesive, narrative-driven quilt that celebrates the look of vintage children's scary storybooks.

Fabric Requirements and Materials

The pattern calls for a specific collection of Riley Blake Designs fabrics, giving the quilt its coordinated, on-theme appearance:

• 1 Goose Tales Book Panel (P9391 Panel) – the primary design element, fussy-cut into twelve 9¾" squares
• 1 Goose Tales Rolie Polie (RP-9390-40) – a pre-cut roll of 2½"-wide strips used for sashing
• ¾ yard Black Text (C9400 Black) – used for additional sashing or border elements
• ⅙ yard Cloud Confetti Cottons Solid (C120 Cloud) – used for cornerstones or accent pieces
• ½ yard binding fabric – the pattern encourages using a favorite Goose Tales print for a cohesive finish
• Batting and backing fabric – required for finishing; quantities are determined by the quilter based on preferred loft and backing style

As with all quilting projects, 100% quilting cotton is the standard fabric choice for these Riley Blake materials, offering easy pressing, consistent seam allowances, and excellent color clarity for printed panels.

Techniques Used

This pattern is designed for quilters with a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology, as noted in the pattern instructions. Key techniques include:

• Fussy cutting – the most distinctive technique in this quilt; each 9¾" square must be carefully centered over a specific book-page motif on the panel fabric, requiring precise measurement and planning before cutting
• Sashing and cornerstone construction – sashing strips and cornerstones are alternated and sewn into rows before being joined with block rows, a traditional quilting method that creates a grid-like structure separating each feature block
• Quilt center assembly – block rows and sashing rows are alternated and sewn together to build the quilt center, finishing at 36¼" x 47½" before borders are added
• Bordered finishing – side borders are attached first, followed by top and bottom borders; the pattern instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border strips, a best practice that ensures a flat, square finish
• Layering and binding – the quilt is finished by layering the quilt top, batting, and backing, then bound with a coordinating Goose Tales print
• Pressing toward sashing – seam allowances are pressed toward the sashing strips throughout assembly, reducing bulk at intersections and keeping blocks flat

Stitches and Sewing Essentials

This is a quilting (not knitting or crochet) pattern, so construction relies on straight-line machine sewing rather than hand stitches