Riley Blake Every Which Way - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Every Which Way Quilt Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Every Which Way is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Riley Blake Designs that produces a striking, large-format quilt measuring a generous 74 inches by 74 inches — a perfect square throw or lap quilt size. Rated as a beginner-friendly project, this pattern is an excellent introduction to one of quilting's most beloved and versatile blocks: the flying geese unit. The design achieves its dynamic, directional energy by assembling 80 flying geese blocks and rotating them across four mirrored quarters, creating the "every which way" movement that gives the quilt its name.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single square quilted throw blanket measuring 74" x 74". The finished quilt features a bold, geometric arrangement of flying geese blocks set against a solid background fabric, framed by a clean outer border. The four-quarter construction gives the quilt a medallion-like symmetry, while the use of six coordinating Circle Dots fabrics in coral, aqua, teal, black, charcoal, and gray adds rich color contrast and visual depth. This is an ideal project for a beginner quilter looking to build foundational skills while producing a full-sized, heirloom-quality blanket or throw.

Techniques Used

• Flying Geese Construction: The core technique of this pattern is making no-waste-style flying geese units using the stitch-and-flip method. A diagonal line is marked on the back of small background squares, which are then placed on the corners of larger rectangle pieces and sewn along the marked line before trimming and pressing. This method is beginner-accessible and produces clean, accurate points.
• Quarter-Block Assembly: The quilt is built in four identical quarters, each assembled from rows of flying geese and background pieces. This modular approach makes the construction manageable and organized.
• Row Pressing and Seam Nesting: Rows are pressed in opposite directions to allow seams to nest together, reducing bulk and improving accuracy when joining rows — a fundamental quilting technique.
• Border Application: A straightforward border is added by joining strips end to end and cutting them to length, then attaching the side borders first followed by the top and bottom borders.
• Quilting and Binding: The pattern concludes with quilting the assembled top and finishing with a bound edge, completing the project as a functional quilt.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight stitch on a sewing machine is used throughout for all piecing, including the stitch-and-flip diagonal seams that form the flying geese points.
• Diagonal marked-line stitching is used specifically for the stitch-and-flip corners — a precise technique where a drawn line guides the sewing machine needle at a 45-degree angle across the corner of a square.
• Trimming and pressing after each seam step are integral to achieving flat, accurate units and are emphasized throughout the sewing instructions.

Block Details: Flying Geese Units

The pattern calls for a total of 80 flying geese blocks, each measuring 4½" x 8½" unfinished. Each unit is made from one Circle Dots rectangle (4½" x 8½") and two background squares (4½" x 4½"). The stitch-and-flip method is repeated on both sides of each rectangle to create the classic triangular "goose" shape. Flying geese are among the most recognizable units in patchwork quilting and are prized for the sense of movement and direction they bring to a quilt layout — qualities that are central to the Every Which Way design.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

Patterned Fabric – Circle Dots

• Six Circle Dots fabrics from Riley Blake Designs are used: coral, aqua, teal, gray, black, and charcoal.
• Each fabric requires 2/3 yard, for a total of approximately 4 yards of assorted Circle Dots prints.
• From coral, aqua, teal, and gray: cut 12 rectangles each (4½" x