Riley Blake Admiral Harry - Downloadable PDF

Admiral Harry Quilt Pattern by Amanda Herring – Free Downloadable PDF Summary

About This Pattern

Admiral Harry is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Amanda Herring of Amanda Herring Designs, released in 2019 by Riley Blake Designs. It is part of the Go to the Sea with Harry & Alice fabric collection, also by Amanda Herring. The finished quilt measures approximately 69" x 81", making it a generous lap or throw size that works beautifully as a decorative blanket or cozy home accent. This pattern is rated advanced, meaning it is best suited to quilters who already have a solid foundation in quilting techniques and terminology.

What Is Being Made

Admiral Harry is a pieced quilt designed as a blanket or throw. The pattern draws on the nautical, whimsical aesthetic of the Go to the Sea with Harry & Alice collection, making it an ideal project for anyone who loves coastal or storybook-inspired home décor. At roughly 69 inches wide by 81 inches long, the finished piece is sized to drape over a bed, sofa, or armchair with style.

Techniques Used

• Half-Square Triangles (HSTs): A central technique in this pattern. Quilters mark diagonal lines on the wrong side of fabric squares, pair them right sides together (RST), stitch a precise 1/4" seam on both sides of the marked line, cut along the line, press open, and then square up each unit. The pattern calls for at least forty (40) HSTs to be created, indicating that these units play a significant structural role in the overall quilt design.
• Precise Cutting and Squaring Up: After pressing, each HST must be squared up to ensure accuracy throughout the quilt assembly — a hallmark of advanced-level piecing that keeps blocks consistent and the finished quilt flat and true.
• Block Construction: The pattern references multiple distinct block types, including Blocks 4 and 5, suggesting a multi-block design with varied piecing requirements across the quilt.
• Consistent 1/4" Seam Allowance: All seam allowances throughout the pattern are a standard 1/4", which is the quilting industry standard. Accurate seam allowances are essential at the advanced level to ensure blocks and rows align correctly.
• Right Sides Together (RST) Pairing: Fabric pieces are consistently joined right sides together before stitching, a fundamental quilting assembly method used throughout the pattern.
• Pressing Techniques: Proper pressing after each seam is specified, which is critical for achieving flat, well-constructed blocks and a professional finish.

Stitches and Sewing Details

• Straight stitch at a consistent 1/4" seam allowance is used throughout all piecing steps.
• For HST construction, stitching is done on both sides of a marked diagonal line before cutting — a classic two-at-a-time HST method that improves efficiency and reduces fabric waste.

Materials – Fabric and Notions

• Fabric: The pattern is designed for 43"/44" wide, 100% cotton quilting fabric. The featured collection is the Go to the Sea with Harry & Alice line by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs. Fabric quantities provided in the pattern are calculated based on this standard width.
• Notions: As a quilting pattern, standard quilting tools apply — a rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, and a sewing machine capable of an accurate 1/4" seam are essential. A fabric marking tool is needed to draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of squares for HST construction.
• Pattern Format: This is a free, downloadable PDF available through Riley Blake Designs. Quilters are encouraged to check the Riley Blake Designs website for any pattern revisions or updates before beginning.

Who This Pattern Is For

Admiral Harry is recommended for advanced quilters who are comfortable with quilting terminology, multi-block construction, and precise piecing. The pattern itself notes that a basic knowledge