Riley Blake Destinations Panel Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Destinations Panel Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern Summary

The Riley Blake Destinations Panel Quilt is a striking advanced-level quilting project designed by Anderson Design Group in partnership with Riley Blake Designs. The finished quilt measures approximately 46½" × 58½" and is built around a central Destinations Pillow Panel fabric, surrounded by a rich collection of traditional pieced blocks and borders. This free downloadable PDF pattern is an excellent choice for experienced quilters looking to showcase a feature panel fabric within an intricate, classically inspired framework.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a single, fully pieced lap or throw quilt measuring approximately 46½ inches wide by 58½ inches tall. The design centers on the Riley Blake Destinations Pillow Panel as its focal point, framed by multiple pieced borders and traditional quilt blocks. The overall aesthetic blends travel-themed panel art with timeless geometric quilting patterns, making it both a decorative and functional textile.

Quilt Blocks and Design Elements

The pattern incorporates several classic quilt block constructions, each contributing to the layered, complex look of the finished piece:

• Half-Square Triangles (HSTs): Fifty-six HST units are constructed and squared up to 2" × 2" finished. These form the foundation of the decorative claw units used throughout the border design.
• Top Claw Units: Fourteen units are assembled by joining two HSTs with careful attention to directional placement. Each unit measures 2" × 3½".
• Side Claw Units: An additional fourteen units mirror the Top Claw Units in construction but are oriented differently, also measuring 2" × 3½".
• Flying Geese: A dedicated fabric requirement of 1 yard is allocated specifically for Flying Geese units, a beloved traditional block element that adds movement and direction to the quilt's borders.
• Friendship Star Blocks: The pattern includes an optional Friendship Star Block, a classic eight-pointed star variation. Separate fabric requirements are listed for Friendship Star Points (¼ yard) and Friendship Star Centers (⅛ yard), indicating these blocks play a meaningful role in the overall design.
• STF (Sew, Trim & Flip) Corners: This efficient technique is referenced in the pattern's quilting terms, used to create precise angled corners without the need for cutting triangles separately.

Techniques Used

This is designated an advanced difficulty pattern, and it draws on a broad range of quilting techniques. A solid working knowledge of quilting terminology and methods is explicitly required before beginning:

• Half-Square Triangle (HST) construction: Pairs of squares are placed right sides together (RST), a diagonal line is marked across the top square, and seams are sewn ¼" on each side of the marked line. The unit is then cut along the line and pressed to the darkest fabric. Blocks are squared up to ensure accuracy.
• Sew, Trim & Flip (STF) corners: A technique where a small square is sewn diagonally across a corner of a larger piece, then trimmed and flipped open to create a clean triangular corner — ideal for Flying Geese and similar units.
• Directional piecing: The pattern emphasizes paying close attention to HST placement when assembling Claw Units, a critical step that affects the visual flow of the border design.
• Border construction: Borders are measured through the center of the quilt before cutting, and border strips are sewn end to end as needed to achieve the correct length — a standard best practice for preventing wavy edges.
• Pressing to the darkest fabric: Seam pressing follows the rule of pressing toward the darkest fabric throughout, unless otherwise noted, to prevent shadowing through lighter fabrics.
• Panel integration: Incorporating a pre-printed panel into a pieced quilt requires careful planning of block scale and border proportions, adding a layer of design complexity suited to advanced quilters.

Stitches Used

• ¼" seam allowance: All piecing seams are sewn at