Riley Blake By the Sea - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake By the Sea Quilt Pattern – Free Downloadable PDF by October Afternoon

The Riley Blake By the Sea pattern is a free downloadable PDF quilt project designed by October Afternoon and published by Riley Blake Designs. It produces a finished blanket or throw-sized quilt measuring 56" x 65", making it a generous lap quilt or lightweight bed throw. Rated as a beginner-friendly quilting project, it is an excellent introduction to one of quilting's most beloved and classic block structures — the eight-pointed or variable star block — while still delivering a visually striking, heirloom-quality result.

What Is Being Made

This pattern instructs quilters on how to construct a full patchwork quilt top built entirely from Star Blocks, each finishing at 9" x 9" (unfinished at 9½" x 9½" including seam allowances). The overall quilt layout combines multiple star blocks arranged in a grid, with each individual star featuring a unique combination of fabrics, giving the finished quilt a scrappy, collected, and coastal-inspired aesthetic that reflects the By the Sea theme. The variety of fabric placement across blocks ensures that no two stars look identical, creating visual depth and movement across the quilt surface.

Block Construction and Design Details

Each Star Block is constructed using a specific and carefully balanced combination of fabrics:

• 8 triangles cut from one assorted print fabric
• 4 triangles cut from a second, different assorted print fabric
• 4 triangles cut from an off-white solid fabric

The interplay between the two assorted prints and the off-white solid creates the classic star illusion through careful triangle pairing. Quilters are directed to refer to the quilt photo for fabric placement guidance, as each star block intentionally uses a different combination of fabrics throughout the quilt — a hallmark of scrappy quilt design that makes excellent use of a fabric collection or stash.

Techniques Used

This pattern introduces and reinforces several foundational quilting techniques that are essential skills for any beginner or advancing quilter:

• Half-Square Triangle (HST) construction – The core unit of the star block is built from triangle pairs sewn together, a technique that underpins countless quilt patterns and is a critical skill to develop early in a quilting practice.
• Unit piecing – Blocks are assembled in a logical, step-by-step unit sequence. Unit 1 is created by sewing one triangle from the set of 8 assorted print triangles together with one off-white solid triangle. Unit 2 is created by sewing one triangle from the set of 8 assorted print triangles together with one triangle from the set of 4 assorted print triangles. Units 1 and 2 are then joined to form larger block sections.
• Accurate seam allowances – All measurements in the pattern include a standard ¼" seam allowance, and precision in maintaining this seam allowance is emphasized throughout for proper block sizing and alignment.
• Right-sides-together sewing – The pattern specifies that all pieces are to be sewn with right sides together unless otherwise stated, a standard quilting convention that ensures clean, hidden seams in the finished quilt.
• Scrappy fabric placement – Rather than a uniform, repeated block, quilters are encouraged to vary fabric combinations across blocks, developing an eye for color balance and visual composition across the full quilt layout.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

As a quilting pattern, By the Sea relies on straight-stitch machine sewing throughout the piecing process. The consistent use of a precise ¼" seam is the primary technical stitch consideration, as even small deviations can affect how triangle units and finished blocks align when sewn together. Pressing seams correctly after each unit is assembled — a standard quilting practice — helps ensure flat, accurate blocks that come together cleanly in the final quilt top.

Materials – Fabric and Notions

This is a fabric quilting pattern and does not involve yarn, knitting needles, or crochet hooks. The required materials are consistent with standard quilting supplies: