Riley Blake Flutterby - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Flutterby Quilt Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Flutterby is a charming intermediate-level quilting pattern available as a free downloadable PDF. The finished quilt measures 58¾" x 74¼", making it a generous lap or throw size suitable for a variety of settings. The design combines two distinct block types — the signature Flutterby Square and a Butterfly Block — arranged with sashing, posts, and a border to create a whimsical, garden-inspired quilt full of color and movement.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished patchwork quilt featuring 12 Flutterby Square blocks, each measuring 9" x 9" when complete. The blocks are set together with sashing strips and corner posts, then framed with a coordinating border cut from the pink main fabric. Butterfly appliqué pieces are incorporated into the quilt center, adding a decorative dimensional element to the overall design. The result is a lively, feminine quilt that showcases the Riley Blake Designs Flutterby fabric collection.

Techniques Used

• Snowball corners (stitch-and-flip method): The foundation of the Flutterby Square block is a classic snowball technique. A pencil diagonal line is drawn corner to corner on the wrong side of small squares, which are then placed on the corners of a larger square, sewn on the drawn line, trimmed with a ¼" seam allowance, and pressed back to create neat, accurate angled corners. This technique is repeated on all four corners to form the central Polka Dot Unit.
• Pieced block construction: Each Flutterby Square is assembled in three rows — a center unit flanked by rectangles, and two outer rows combining squares and rectangles — then sewn together to complete the 9" block. Quilters sew with right sides together throughout, and all measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance.
• Sashing and post assembly: Blocks are joined using sashing strips and corner posts, a traditional quilting technique that frames each block individually and adds structure and visual spacing to the quilt center.
• Appliqué: Butterfly shapes are applied to the quilt using the quilter's favorite method of appliqué. The pattern allows flexibility here, accommodating fusible web appliqué, needle-turn appliqué, or any other preferred approach.
• Border attachment: A single border is added using strips cut from the pink main fabric. Quilters are instructed to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border pieces to ensure accurate fit and to avoid wavy edges — a best-practice technique in quilting.
• Binding: The quilt is finished with a separate binding, for which 5/8 yard of fabric is required.

Stitches and Construction Notes

• All piecing is done with a consistent ¼" seam allowance, the standard for quilting accuracy.
• Blocks and units are pressed after each seam to ensure flat, precise construction.
• The pattern recommends checking the Riley Blake Designs website for any revisions before beginning the project.

Flutterby Square Block – Piece by Piece

Each of the 12 Flutterby Square blocks is built from the following components:

• One 5½" x 5½" white polka dots square (C8516 White) as the block center base
• Four 3" x 3" pink tone on tone squares (C8515 Pink) used for the snowball corner units
• 2½" x 5½" white floral rectangles (C8512 White) sewn to the sides of the Polka Dot Unit
• 2½" pink daisy squares (C8513 Pink) placed at the ends of the outer rectangle rows

Fabric Requirements and Materials

This quilt is designed specifically around the Riley Blake Designs Flutterby fabric collection and calls for a coordinated palette of pinks, whites, oranges, and browns. The required fabrics