Riley Blake Finding Sheep 30's Minis - Downloadable PDF

Finding Sheep 30's Minis Quilt Pattern by Erin Turner – Free Downloadable PDF

The Finding Sheep 30's Minis pattern by designer Erin Turner, published under the Riley Blake family of brands, is a charming beginner-friendly quilt pattern available as a free downloadable PDF. Inspired by the classic nursery rhyme character Little Bo Peep, this quilt combines appliqué blocks with traditional patchwork to create a whimsical, storybook-style quilt measuring a generous 70" x 82" when finished — a comfortable throw or lap quilt size.

About the Design

The quilt is built around two distinct block types that work together to create a playful, balanced layout. Each finished block measures 12" x 12", and the combination of figurative appliqué and geometric patchwork gives the quilt both visual interest and accessible construction for quilters who are just building their skills.

Little Bo Peep Appliqué Block

The centerpiece of this quilt is the Little Bo Peep Block, a detailed appliqué block featuring the iconic shepherdess figure. The pattern includes 15 Little Bo Peep Blocks in total — 5 right-facing and 10 left-facing — giving the finished quilt a lively, directional energy as the figures appear to move across the surface.

Each block begins with a clean white solid 13" x 13" background square, onto which the appliqué pieces are arranged and secured before the block is squared up to 12½" x 12½" for assembly. The pattern provides templates for all appliqué shapes, including the pieces for Little Bo Peep's feet and arms, which are cut from a skin solid fabric. Quilters are instructed to reverse templates or add seam allowance as needed depending on their preferred appliqué method.

A particularly charming detail is the staff carried by Little Bo Peep, which is not pieced or appliquéd but instead embroidered using 2 strands of black embroidery floss. This hand-embroidery element adds a delicate, artisanal touch and is a lovely introduction to combining embroidery with quilting for those new to mixed-technique projects.

Appliqué is a technique in which fabric shapes are cut out and attached to a background fabric to create a picture or design. It can be executed by hand or machine, and this pattern accommodates your favorite method of appliqué, making it flexible for quilters who prefer needle-turn, fusible web, or machine satin stitch approaches.

Chain Block (Four-Patch Patchwork)

The second block type is the Chain Block, a classic patchwork construction based on the timeless Four-Patch Unit. Each Four-Patch Unit is assembled by sewing together 2 assorted print 3½" squares and 2 clean white solid 3½" squares, creating a simple checkerboard-style unit. The pattern calls for 30 Four-Patch Units in total.

Because each Chain Block uses a different combination of fabrics from the print stack, no two blocks are identical, which gives the quilt that beloved scrappy, collected quality associated with vintage 1930s-style quilts. The Chain Blocks provide a graphic, structured counterpoint to the more illustrative Little Bo Peep Blocks, and the alternating layout ties the two elements together beautifully.

Techniques Used

• Appliqué – used to construct the Little Bo Peep figures; method is left to the quilter's preference
• Four-Patch patchwork – used to construct the Chain Blocks from assorted print and solid squares
• Embroidery – 2 strands of black embroidery floss used to stitch Little Bo Peep's staff
• Block squaring – appliqué blocks are trimmed to an accurate 12½" x 12½" before assembly
• Quilt assembly – blocks are arranged with reference to the quilt photo for fabric and directional placement
• Binding – the quilt is finished with a traditional bound edge

Materials Required

Fabric