Riley Blake Trendsetter - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Trendsetter Quilt Pattern by Fancy Pants Design – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Trendsetter is a beginner-friendly quilt pattern designed by Fancy Pants Design and offered as a free downloadable PDF. The finished project is a cozy blanket or throw quilt measuring 53" x 59½", making it a versatile size suitable for lap quilts, bed throws, or decorative home accents. This pattern is an excellent introduction to structured column-based quilt construction and is ideal for quilters who are just starting out or looking for a straightforward weekend project.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished throw quilt measuring 53 inches by 59½ inches. The design features a column-based layout with carefully arranged rectangular fabric pieces and sashing strips, giving the quilt a clean, modern, and trend-forward aesthetic. The name Trendsetter reflects the contemporary style of the finished piece, which works beautifully as a decorative throw or a functional blanket.

Quilt Construction and Design Overview

The quilt is built around a column assembly method, which divides the quilt center into two alternating column types referred to in the pattern as Column A and Column B. Understanding the distinction between these two column types is central to completing the quilt successfully.

• Column A – Constructed using specific rectangular fabric pieces cut from the Riley Blake Trendsetter 10-inch Stacker (10-3990-15).
• Column B – Assembled by sewing 3¼" x 5¼" rectangles together, including pieces in a bottle green shade, to form each column unit. The pattern calls for 5 Column B's in total.

Once all columns are assembled, the Quilt Center Assembly stage brings together 5 Column A's, 5 Column B's, and 9 bottle green shade 2" x 48" sashing rectangles. These sashing strips are sewn between the columns to create visual separation and structure throughout the quilt center. The pattern instructs quilters to refer to the quilt photo for correct column placement, ensuring the color arrangement looks intentional and polished.

Techniques Used

This pattern is designed for beginner quilters and requires only a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology. The following techniques are employed throughout the construction process:

• Rectangular piecing – Cutting and sewing rectangular fabric pieces together accurately is the primary construction method used throughout both column types.
• Column assembly – Fabric rectangles are sewn together in a vertical column format before being joined horizontally across the quilt center.
• Sashing – Long sashing strips in a bottle green shade are inserted between columns to frame each section and add visual rhythm to the quilt layout.
• Borders – The pattern includes a bordered finish. Quilters are instructed to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border pieces, as seam allowances can vary. Border strips are sewn end to end as needed to achieve the correct length.
• Right sides together (RST) sewing – All seams are sewn with right sides together unless the pattern specifically states otherwise, which is standard quilting practice.
• ¼" seam allowance – All measurements in the pattern include a standard ¼" seam allowance, which is the quilting industry standard and important for maintaining accurate finished dimensions.

Stitches Used

As a quilting pattern, the Trendsetter relies on straight-line machine stitching throughout. The primary stitch used is a straight stitch sewn at a consistent ¼" seam allowance for all piecing. Quilters will also use straight stitching when attaching sashing strips and border pieces. The pattern does not call for any decorative hand stitching or specialty machine stitches in the piecing stages, keeping the technique accessible for beginners.

Materials Required

The Trendsetter pattern is designed to work specifically with Riley