Riley Blake Matryoshka Christmas - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Matryoshka Christmas Quilt Pattern – Downloadable PDF by Carly Griffith

The Matryoshka Christmas pattern by Carly Griffith for Riley Blake Designs is a free, downloadable PDF quilting pattern that produces a stunning 62" x 62" finished quilt. Inspired by the iconic Russian nesting doll aesthetic combined with festive Christmas motifs, this intermediate-level throw quilt is a rewarding seasonal project. The design incorporates bold geometric blocks set against richly printed fabrics from the Riley Blake collection, making it an eye-catching holiday blanket or decorative throw.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a square throw quilt measuring 62 inches by 62 inches, suitable for use as a holiday blanket, wall hanging, or decorative accent. The quilt is built around 20" x 20" finished blocks, including a featured Star Block construction. A Border 1 frames the central design, adding structure and visual definition to the finished piece.

Fabrics and Materials Required

The pattern calls for specific Riley Blake Designs fabrics, each playing a distinct role in the overall color story and visual impact of the quilt:

• 1¼ yards – Blue Main (C4380 Blue): the primary background fabric anchoring the design
• ½ yard – Green Ogee (C4381 Green): used in Star Block Half Square Triangles
• ½ yard – Red Ogee (C4381 Red): paired with multi snowflakes in Star Block construction
• ½ yard – Blue Snowflakes (C4382 Blue): a seasonal accent print
• ⅝ yard – Multi Snowflakes (C4382 Multi): central to the Star Block Half Square Triangle units
• ⅝ yard – Multi Stripe (C4383 Multi): cut into strips for Border 1 and block squares
• ¾ yard – Snow White Shade (C200-03 Snow White): provides contrast and negative space within the blocks
• ⅝ yard – Binding fabric
• 3⅞ yards – Backing fabric

As a quilting project, this pattern uses quilting cotton fabric rather than yarn. Tools required include a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, cutting mat, sewing machine, and an iron for pressing seams. A standard ¼" presser foot is recommended to maintain accurate seam allowances throughout.

Techniques Used

This is rated as an intermediate quilting pattern, meaning it is best suited to quilters who are comfortable with foundational piecing methods and ready to work with more complex block constructions. Key techniques include:

• Half Square Triangle (HST) construction: The Star Block relies heavily on HSTs made using the two-at-a-time method. A diagonal line is drawn on the wrong side of the lighter square, two squares are placed right sides together, sewn with a ¼" seam on each side of the drawn line, then cut apart on the line to yield two HST units at once. This efficient method is used to create units in multiple color combinations, including multi snowflakes with green ogee and multi snowflakes with red ogee.
• Diagonal seam pressing: After cutting HSTs, seams are pressed toward the darker fabric (the multi snowflakes) to reduce bulk and ensure crisp points.
• Diagonal line marking across seams: A second diagonal line is drawn across the seam of completed HST units for further sub-unit construction within the Star Block, requiring careful alignment and accuracy.
• Strip cutting and sub-cutting: Fabric is cut into WOF (width of fabric) strips of varying widths — including 4½", 5", 5⅜", 3½", and 2½" — which are then sub-cut into individual squares. This systematic approach minimizes waste and speeds up the cutting process.
• Bordered quilt assembly: The multi stripe fabric is cut into five 3½" x WOF strips for Border 1