Riley Blake Fly Away - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Fly Away Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Riley Blake Fly Away is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern from Riley Blake Designs, a well-known fabric and pattern brand based in Sandy, Utah. The finished quilt measures a generous 62½" x 77", making it an ideal lap or throw quilt suitable for everyday use or as a decorative statement piece. The design is built around a repeating 10" x 10" finished block construction, giving the quilt a structured, graphic quality that is both classic and fresh.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single, full-sized patchwork quilt. The design features a multi-fabric block layout that combines Four-Patch Units with strategically placed accent squares and rectangles to create a lively, visually dynamic surface. The block-based structure means the quilt grows in a predictable, manageable way — ideal for quilters who enjoy working in organized, repeatable units. The finished piece is well-suited for use as a bed throw, a couch quilt, or a decorative wall hanging.

Techniques Used

• Four-Patch Unit construction: The core technique of this pattern involves sewing sets of four squares together to form Four-Patch Units. These units are then combined in specific arrangements to build the larger blocks. This is a foundational quilting technique that teaches precise piecing and consistent seam allowances.
• Unit assembly: Multiple Four-Patch Units are combined with individual rectangles and squares to form larger composite units, referred to in the pattern as Unit A. For example, a Red Four-Patch Unit, a blue butterfly 2½" x 6½" rectangle, and a Pumpkin Four-Patch Unit are sewn together to create one Unit A, with 24 Unit A blocks required in total.
• Block assembly: Larger blocks are constructed by combining multiple Four-Patch Units with accent squares. For instance, two Red Four-Patch Units, two Pumpkin Four-Patch Units, four blue petal 2½" x 2½" squares, and one green butterfly 2½" x 2½" square are sewn together to form a complete block unit.
• Precise seam allowances: All measurements in the pattern include a standard ¼" seam allowance, which is the industry standard for quilting. Consistent ¼" seams are essential for blocks to align correctly across the quilt top.
• Right-sides-together sewing: The pattern specifies sewing with right sides together unless otherwise stated, which is standard quilting practice to ensure clean, hidden seams.

Stitches and Sewing Basics

This is a quilting pattern worked on a sewing machine using a standard straight stitch. The construction is entirely based on straight-line piecing — no curved seams or specialty stitches are required. The pattern notes that a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology is expected, making it appropriate for confident beginners and intermediate quilters alike. Quilters new to Four-Patch construction will find this an excellent skill-building project.

Fabric and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically around Riley Blake Designs fabrics, each identified by a specific colorway and fabric code. The required fabrics include:

• Blue main (C3130 Blue) — 1⅝ yards (1.5 m), the dominant background fabric
• Red dream (C3131 Red) — ¼ yard (20 cm)
• Red doily (C3132 Red) — ⅝ yard (50 cm)
• Blue petals (C3133 Blue) — ¼ yard (20 cm)
• Blue butterfly (C3134 Blue) — 1 yard (90 cm)
• Green butterfly — ½ yard (40 cm)

The palette of blues, reds, and greens gives