Riley Blake Aesop's Fable - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Aesop's Fable Quilt Pattern by Erin Turner – Downloadable PDF Summary

The Aesop's Fable quilt pattern, designed by Erin Turner for Riley Blake and available as a free downloadable PDF, produces a stunning 66" x 78" finished quilt that draws its name and spirit from the classic fable collection. This is an intermediate-level quilting project that combines traditional block construction with on-point setting, sashing, posts, flying geese borders, and multiple fabric collections to create a richly layered, storybook-inspired design.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a single large bed or lap quilt measuring 66 inches wide by 78 inches tall. The quilt features a diagonal on-point center composed of finished 10" x 10" center blocks, set with sashing strips and cornerposts and framed by multiple borders. The overall effect is a structured, medallion-style layout with strong geometric movement created by the on-point arrangement and flying geese border units.

Design Layout and Construction Overview

The quilt is built in distinct zones, each adding visual complexity and framing to the center design:

• Quilt Center: Center blocks are set on the diagonal, meaning the blocks are rotated 45 degrees and assembled in diagonal rows. Setting triangles fill the edges, and corner triangles complete the four corners. The pattern notes that setting and corner triangles are intentionally cut oversized so the quilt center can be squared up accurately after assembly — a hallmark of on-point construction technique.
• Sashing and Posts: Rectangular sashing strips (2" x 10½") separate the center blocks, and small 2" x 2" square posts sit at the intersections of the sashing, adding a classic nine-patch-style grid effect across the quilt center.
• Border 1: A narrow inner border cut from Brown Petals fabric in 3½"-wide strips frames the quilt center and provides a clean visual transition.
• Border 2 – Flying Geese: One of the most technically engaging elements of this quilt is the Flying Geese border, with each finished unit measuring 3" x 6". Flying geese are a classic quilting unit consisting of a large triangle (the "goose") flanked by two smaller triangles (the "sky"), creating a sense of movement and direction. The geese for Border 2 are cut from the Fat Quarter Stack, using 3½" x 6½" rectangles from prints including brown swan, brown fern, red fern, and tan fern — six rectangles from each print.
• Border 3: A wide outer border cut in 6½"-wide strips from Cream Floral fabric provides a generous, airy finish to the quilt edges.

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes a working knowledge of standard quilting techniques and terminology. Key techniques include:

• On-point / diagonal block setting – assembling blocks in diagonal rows with setting and corner triangles, then squaring up the center
• Flying Geese construction – creating precise triangular units for a pieced border with directional movement
• Sashing with cornerposts – inserting strips and small squares between blocks to create a structured grid
• Strip cutting and sub-cutting – cutting fabric strips across the width of fabric (WOF) and then sub-cutting into squares and rectangles for efficient piecing
• Accurate seam allowances – all measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance, and the pattern advises measuring through the quilt center before cutting border and sashing pieces to ensure accuracy
• Squaring up – trimming the on-point center to 1⅜" beyond the block points on all sides to achieve a straight, even edge before adding borders

Stitches and Piecing Methods

As a quilting pattern, Aesop's Fable relies on standard straight-stitch machine piecing throughout.