Riley Blake Jump Rope - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Jump Rope Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

The Riley Blake Jump Rope Quilt is a charming, beginner-friendly quilting project designed by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs. This free downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished quilt measuring 55" x 64", making it an ideal size for a lap quilt or a cozy throw. With its playful patchwork construction and signature Thimble block shapes, this design is a wonderful introduction to quilting for newcomers while still offering enough visual interest to delight experienced quilters.

What Is Being Made

This pattern guides quilters through the construction of a patchwork throw quilt featuring a combination of 4-Patch blocks and distinctive Thimble shapes. The finished piece is a colorful, folk-art-inspired quilt that showcases Lori Holt's signature whimsical aesthetic. The Jump Rope name and design evoke a playful, nostalgic quality that makes this quilt a wonderful decorative accent or a heartfelt handmade gift.

Techniques Used

• 4-Patch block construction – A foundational quilting technique in which individual fabric squares are sewn together in pairs and then joined to create a four-square unit. This pattern calls for six 4-Patch blocks, each made from 5" squares.
• Thimble block piecing – A signature technique associated with Lori Holt's Thimble Rulers, which are specialty rulers designed to simplify the cutting and sewing of Thimble-shaped quilt blocks in both 5" and 10" square sizes.
• Pressing seams open – The pattern specifically instructs quilters to press seam allowances open after joining squares, a technique that reduces bulk and helps blocks lie flat.
• Border attachment – Side borders are incorporated into the quilt top to frame the design and bring the quilt to its finished dimensions.
• Binding – The quilt is finished with prepared binding, requiring approximately 250 inches of binding to complete the edges neatly.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight stitch piecing – All blocks and units are assembled using standard straight-stitch machine sewing, making this an accessible project for beginner quilters with a basic sewing machine.
• Accurate ¼" seam allowance – As with most quilting projects, consistent seam allowances are essential to ensure blocks align correctly when assembled.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

This quilt is designed to be made with Riley Blake Designs fabric collections. Lori Holt specifically used fabrics from her own lines, including Polka Dot Stitches, Millie's Closet, and Sew Cherry by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. The background and side borders are cut from an aqua fabric — specifically Bear Lake by Riley Blake — requiring 2⅝ yards.

• 18 squares cut at 10" x 10" for the large Thimble block shapes
• 56 squares cut at 5" x 5", with 24 of these used specifically for the 4-Patch blocks
• 2⅝ yards of aqua fabric for background and side borders (Bear Lake by Riley Blake)
• 250 inches of prepared binding to finish the quilt edges

Tools and Notions

• Thimble Rulers in both 5" and 10" square sizes – specialty rulers designed by Lori Holt to streamline the Thimble block cutting and sewing process. A free tutorial for these rulers is available on Lori Holt's blog at Bee in My Bonnet.
• Standard quilting tools including a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilting ruler are recommended for accurate fabric preparation.

Difficulty Level and Format