Riley Blake Joy In The Journey Panel Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Joy In The Journey Panel Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Dani Mogstad

About This Quilt Pattern

The Joy In The Journey Panel Quilt is a beginner-friendly quilting pattern designed by Dani Mogstad and published by Riley Blake Designs. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a charming finished quilt measuring 35" x 38" — a versatile size suitable for a lap quilt, a child's quilt, or a decorative wall hanging. The design is built around a striking fabric panel as its centerpiece, framed by three successive borders that add color, dimension, and visual interest.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a panel-centered patchwork quilt with a structured, symmetrical border layout. The focal point is a fussy-cut rectangle from the P10686 Charcoal Joy in the Journey Panel, carefully centered over the panel's middle three rows to highlight the printed design. Surrounding this centerpiece are three progressively wider borders, each cut from a different coordinating fabric within the Riley Blake Joy in the Journey collection. The result is a clean, graphic quilt with a polished, layered appearance that is approachable for quilters of all experience levels.

Techniques Used

• Fussy cutting – The charcoal panel is cut as a precise 21" x 24" rectangle, carefully centered over the panel's design to preserve the printed motif and ensure visual balance.
• Straight-set border construction – Three successive borders are added using a traditional side-first, then top-and-bottom method, with seams pressed toward each border as it is added.
• Measuring through the quilt center – The pattern instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border strips, a key technique for preventing wavy or uneven borders.
• Quilt sandwich layering – The finished quilt top is layered with batting and a backing fabric to create the full quilt sandwich prior to quilting and binding.
• Binding application – The quilt is finished with a traditional straight-grain binding cut from the C10683 Coral Plaid fabric.

Stitches and Sewing Details

• Standard straight stitch – All piecing is sewn with right sides together using a consistent ¼" seam allowance throughout.
• Pressing seams toward borders – After each border is attached, seams are pressed in the direction of the border strips to reduce bulk and keep the quilt top flat and accurate.

Cutting Requirements at a Glance

• Charcoal Panel (P10686): Fussy cut 1 rectangle measuring 21" x 24", centered over the middle three rows of the panel.
• Sunshine Tiles (C10685): Cut 4 strips 2½" x width of fabric (WOF) for Border 1.
• Coral Plaid (C10683): Cut 4 strips 1½" x WOF for Border 2; cut 4 strips 2¼" x WOF for binding.
• Cream Main (C10680): Cut 4 strips 4½" x WOF for Border 3.

Border Measurements

Each of the three borders follows specific length guidelines to ensure a square, well-proportioned finished quilt:

• Border 1 (Sunshine Tiles): Side borders 24"; top and bottom borders 25".
• Border 2 (Coral Plaid): Side borders 28"; top and bottom borders 27".
• Border 3 (Cream Main): Side borders 30"; top and bottom borders 35".

Fabrics and Materials

This pattern is designed specifically