Riley Blake Spin The Wheel - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Spin The Wheel Quilt Pattern by Lori Whitlock – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Spin The Wheel pattern, designed by Lori Whitlock and available as a free downloadable PDF from Riley Blake Designs, produces a cheerful and graphic finished quilt measuring 56" x 64". Built around a repeating circle appliqué block, this project is a wonderful introduction to combining traditional patchwork construction with fabric appliqué, resulting in a quilt that feels both modern and playful. The pattern notes that a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology is required, making it suitable for confident beginners and intermediate quilters alike.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a lap-sized quilt measuring 56 inches wide by 64 inches tall. The design is built from 30 Circle Blocks, each finishing at 8½" x 8½", arranged in a grid of 6 rows of 5 blocks. Each block features a circular appliqué unit centered on a coordinating print square, creating the signature spinning wheel visual effect across the quilt surface. The finished quilt center is then framed by two borders that add structure and additional color to the overall composition.

Techniques Used

• Fabric appliqué – Each Circle Unit is appliquéd onto its background square using the quilter's preferred appliqué method. The pattern is flexible, allowing for fusible appliqué, needle-turn, or any other favorite technique.
• Patchwork block construction – The 30 Circle Blocks are individually pieced and then assembled into a structured quilt center grid.
• Quilt center assembly – Blocks are laid out in 6 rows of 5 and sewn together row by row, a classic straight-set assembly approach.
• Bordered quilt construction – Two successive borders are added around the quilt center. The pattern instructs quilters to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting border strips, an important best practice for ensuring a flat, square finished quilt.
• Border strip piecing – Border strips are sewn end to end as needed to achieve the required lengths, with side borders always attached before top and bottom borders.
• Interfacing use – The pattern calls for 2 yards of lightweight interfacing, which is typically used to stabilize the appliqué circle units and help them hold their shape cleanly during and after application.

Block and Quilt Construction Details

Each finished block measures 8½" x 8½" and is composed of an assorted print background square onto which a prepared Circle Unit is centered and appliquéd. The variety of prints used across the 30 blocks creates movement and visual rhythm across the quilt face, reinforcing the spinning wheel theme. All measurements in the pattern include a ¼" seam allowance, and all pieces are sewn with right sides together unless otherwise noted.

For the borders, Border 1 requires side borders of 48½" and top and bottom borders of 44½". Border 2 requires side borders of 52½", with the top and bottom measurements also specified in the full pattern. This two-border approach is a classic quilting technique that frames the design and adds visual weight to the edges of the finished piece.

Fabrics and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically around Riley Blake Designs fabrics, with each fabric identified by its colorway name and style number. The fabric requirements call for a rich variety of coordinating prints, all working together to create the multi-toned spinning effect:

• 1¼ yards – Aqua Main (C3380 Aqua)
• ½ yard – Cream Yoyo (C3381 Cream)
• ¼ yard – Aqua Words (C3382 Aqua)
• ¼ yard – Blue Words (C3382 Blue)
• ¼ yard – Orange Words (C3382 Orange)
• ½ yard – Aqua Geometric (C3383 Aqua)
• ¼ yard – Green