Riley Blake At The Lake Panel Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake At The Lake Panel Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Tara Reed

The At The Lake Panel Quilt is a charming, beginner-friendly quilting project designed by Tara Reed for Riley Blake Designs. This free downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished quilt measuring 49" x 46", making it an ideal lap quilt or decorative throw with a relaxed, lakeside aesthetic. The design centers on fussy-cut panel rectangles surrounded by coordinating sashing, borders, and binding — a straightforward construction method that makes this pattern especially approachable for those new to quilting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern guides quilters through the assembly of a panel-based lap quilt featuring a structured layout of fussy-cut fabric panels framed by sashing strips and two rounds of borders. The finished piece celebrates a classic "at the lake" theme, with the focal panel fabric showcasing illustrated sayings and lake-inspired imagery. The quilt center is built from panel rectangles paired with Navy Main sashing, then finished with two successive border rounds before layering, quilting, and binding.

Fabric Requirements and Materials

The pattern calls for a specific selection of Riley Blake Designs quilting cottons, each identified by fabric code:

• At the Lake Panel (P10556 Panel) – the focal fabric, fussy cut into four rectangles measuring 17½" x 16", each centered over a printed saying
• Navy Main (C10550 Navy) – one fat quarter, used for sashing rectangles (6½" x 16")
• Blue Fish (C10552 Blue) – ⅔ yard, used for border strips
• Navy Dots (C10554 Navy) – ⅔ yard, used for border strips and binding (the yardage includes binding fabric)
• Blue Border Stripe (C10555 Blue) – 1⅓ yards, used for the horizontal sashing between rows and as a key border element, cut along the length of fabric

In addition to fabric, quilters will need standard quilting supplies including quilting cotton batting and backing fabric. Tools such as a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, and cutting mat are recommended for accurate fussy cutting and strip cutting. The pattern is sewn with a standard ¼" seam allowance throughout.

Techniques Used

• Fussy cutting – Four panel rectangles are carefully cut at 17½" x 16" with the printed sayings centered, requiring deliberate fabric placement before cutting
• Sashing construction – Navy Main rectangles are sewn to either side of each panel piece to build structured rows
• Row assembly – Two identical rows are constructed and joined with a horizontal Border Stripe sashing strip to form the quilt center
• Two-round border application – Side borders are sewn before top and bottom borders in both Border 1 and Border 2, a standard quilting practice that ensures square, even edges
• Measuring through the quilt center – The pattern specifically instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting horizontal sashing and border pieces, an essential technique for preventing wavy borders
• Pressing toward sashing and borders – Seams are pressed in a consistent direction to reduce bulk and improve quilt flatness
• Quilt sandwich layering – The finished quilt top is layered with batting and backing before quilting
• Binding – The quilt is finished with Navy Dots binding strips

Stitches and Sewing Basics

As a quilting pattern, construction relies on straight-stitch machine sewing with a consistent ¼" seam allowance. All pieces are sewn with right sides together unless otherwise noted. No complex patchwork blocks, curved piecing, or specialty stitches are required, which reinforces the beginner difficulty level of this design. The simplicity of the rectangular panel layout means quilters can focus on accuracy in cutting and pressing rather than intricate piecing.

Pattern Format and Availability

The At The Lake Panel Quilt pattern by Tara