Riley Blake Rainbow Dance - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Rainbow Dance Quilt Pattern – Downloadable PDF by Bella Blvd

The Riley Blake Rainbow Dance pattern, designed by Bella Blvd and available as a free downloadable PDF, guides quilters through the creation of a cheerful, color-rich 62" x 74" quilt — a generous lap or throw size perfect for showcasing the Sunny Happy Skies Collection by Riley Blake Designs. This is an advanced-level quilting project that requires a solid foundation in quilting technique and terminology, making it an excellent challenge for experienced quilters looking to work with multiple fabrics, precise piecing, and a structured multi-border layout.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished patchwork quilt measuring 62 inches by 74 inches. The design features a structured quilt center built from alternating pieced blocks and solid squares, framed by three successive borders that expand the quilt outward and add visual definition. The finished result is a vibrant, playful throw with a strong graphic structure rooted in classic quilting tradition.

Design Layout and Block Construction

The quilt center is assembled from 16 rows of 12 blocks each, alternating Four-Patch Blocks with pre-cut squares in coordinating prints. The finished block size is 3" x 3", meaning precision cutting and consistent seam allowances are essential throughout the piecing process. A notable design feature occurs at the center of the quilt: rows 8 and 9 are constructed in two separate sections to accommodate a 6½" pink panda square set into the very heart of the quilt — a charming focal point that draws the eye inward.

Alternating with the Four-Patch Blocks are 3½" blue dot squares and 3½" pink dot squares, cut from the Riley Blake Sunny Happy Skies Collection. This alternating structure creates a lively, rhythmic visual pattern across the quilt surface.

Techniques Used

• Four-Patch Block piecing: Strips are cut at 2" wide across the width of fabric (WOF) and sewn together in pairs before being sub-cut and re-sewn to create classic Four-Patch units. This strip-piecing method is efficient and accurate when working with many small blocks.
• Strip piecing: Multiple 2" x WOF strips are cut from several fabrics and sewn together before sub-cutting, reducing the number of individual seams and improving consistency.
• Precise seam allowance management: All measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance, and the pattern specifically instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border pieces, as seam allowances can vary between quilters.
• Multi-border construction: Three successive borders are added around the quilt center, each requiring careful measurement and sequential attachment — side borders are always sewn before top and bottom borders.
• Quilt sandwich layering and binding: The finished quilt top is layered with batting and backing fabric, then bound using a coordinating fabric from the Sunny Happy Skies Collection.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Right-sides-together straight stitch piecing is used throughout all block and border construction, as specified in the pattern instructions.
• Standard machine quilting techniques apply for joining the quilt sandwich layers.
• Binding stitch is used to finish the quilt edges with a coordinating Riley Blake fabric strip.

Border Measurements

The three-border system adds substantial framing to the quilt center. Precise finished lengths are specified for each border:

• Border 1: Side borders at 48½"; top and bottom borders at 46½"
• Border 2: Side borders at 58½"; top and bottom borders at 50½"
• Border 3: Side borders and top and bottom borders each at 62½"

Fabrics and Materials

This pattern is designed specifically around the Riley Blake Sunny Happy Skies Collection, with all fabrics referenced by their official Riley Blake SK