Riley Blake National Tours - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake National Tours Quilt Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF

The National Tours quilt pattern, copyright 2019 by Anderson Design Group and available as a free downloadable PDF from Riley Blake Designs, produces a charming lap or throw-sized quilt measuring approximately 46½" x 57½" when finished. Centered around a National Parks Pillow Panel, this design combines classic patchwork blocks with a celebratory, travel-inspired aesthetic that makes it an ideal project for adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and quilters who love Americana-style design.

What Is Being Made

This pattern instructs quilters in constructing a complete patchwork quilt built around a focal National Parks Pillow Panel. Surrounding the panel are traditional Bear Paw blocks and Flying Geese units, two of the most beloved classic quilt block styles in American quilting history. The finished quilt is a generous lap size suitable for display, gifting, or everyday use.

Techniques Used

• Half-Square Triangles (HSTs): Quilters mark a diagonal line across fabric squares, layer them right sides together, stitch ¼" away from the marked line on each side, then cut along the line to yield two HST units at once. Each HST is pressed toward the darkest fabric and squared up to 2" x 2".
• Sew, Trim & Flip Corners (STF): A cornerstone technique referenced throughout the pattern, used to create angled units without cutting triangles individually.
• Claw Unit Assembly: Pairs of HSTs are joined with careful attention to orientation to form Top Claw Units and Side Claw Units, each measuring 2" x 3½", which are then combined with background squares to build the Bear Paw block structure.
• Flying Geese Construction: Traditional Flying Geese units are assembled to add directional movement and visual rhythm to the quilt layout.
• Accurate ¼" Seam Allowances: All seam allowances throughout the pattern are a consistent ¼", a standard quilting seam that is critical for block accuracy and overall quilt sizing.
• Border Application: Border strips are measured through the center of the quilt before cutting to ensure accuracy, and strips are sewn end to end as needed to achieve the required length.
• Pressing Techniques: Seams are consistently pressed toward the darkest fabric to reduce show-through and create flat, crisp blocks.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight stitch at a precise ¼" seam allowance is used throughout all piecing steps.
• Diagonal stitching lines are sewn on either side of a marked center line to simultaneously create two HST units, maximizing fabric efficiency.
• Units are pressed and squared up after each step to maintain consistent block sizing before assembly.

Materials Required

This pattern is designed for 43"/44" wide, 100% cotton quilting fabric, consistent with standard quilting yardage. The required materials include:

• 1 National Parks Pillow Panel – the central focal element of the quilt
• ⅛ yard each of Fabric 1, Fabric 2, and Fabric 3 – used for the Bear Paw block piecing
• ¼ yard – designated for the Bear Claws
• 2½ yards – background fabric, which also provides the binding
• ½ yard – for the Flying Geese units

No specialty tools beyond standard quilting supplies are required. Quilters will need a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, cutting mat, sewing machine, and basic pressing equipment. A basic working knowledge of quilting techniques and terminology is recommended before beginning this project.

Pattern Notes and Skill Level

The National Tours pattern is suited to quilters with a foundational knowledge of quilting