Riley Blake Brilliant Union - Downloadable PDF

Brilliant Union Quilt by Riley Blake

Project Overview

Brilliant Union is an intermediate-level downloadable quilting pattern from Riley Blake Designs, created by The RBD Designers. This quilt project features a finished size of 56" x 65" and combines large and small Union Jack panels with coordinating sashing and borders to create a striking finished design.

What Is Being Made

The Brilliant Union quilt is a pieced quilt design that showcases decorative Union Jack panels as focal points. The quilt construction incorporates a large 36" Union Jack panel as the centerpiece, complemented by a smaller 24" Union Jack panel, with additional pieced units and sashing strips arranged around these featured panels to create visual balance and dimension.

Quilting Techniques Used

• Panel Piecing: The pattern utilizes pre-cut Union Jack panels as primary design elements, reducing complexity while maintaining visual impact
• Strip Piecing: Sashing and border strips are cut and sewn in specific measurements to frame and separate design elements
• Unit Assembly: Multiple fabric units (labeled A, B, and C) are individually constructed and then sewn together in a specific sequence
• Directional Piecing: The pattern requires careful attention to piece placement and orientation, particularly when assembling the A1, A2, A3, and A4 units with C units
• Sashing Application: Sashing pieces are strategically placed between design elements to create visual separation and frame the focal panels
• Border Construction: Multiple border strips are added to the sides and top/bottom of the quilt to complete the design and reach the final dimensions
• Quilting and Binding: The finished quilt top is quilted and bound to complete the project

Stitches and Construction Methods

This pattern employs fundamental quilting seam techniques throughout. All piecing uses standard 1/4" seam allowances, the industry standard for quilting. The pattern involves sequential stitching of units, where C units are sewn between paired A units, then these combined units are stitched to B panel pieces. The center unit is constructed by stitching the center piece between sashing pieces, then stitching this assembly between additional B panels. Border strips are added in stages: first to the right and left sides, then to the top and bottom, using straight seaming methods.

Materials and Fabric Requirements

The Brilliant Union pattern requires quilting-weight cotton fabric in the following quantities:

• Large Union Jack Panel: One 36" panel, cut into 4 equal pieces measuring 17 3/4" x 21"
• Small Union Jack Panel: One 24" panel
• Sashing and Border Fabric: 1 1/3 yards total, cut into strips measuring 3" width and various lengths (including 17 3/4" pieces, 52" pieces, 61 1/2" pieces, and 56" pieces)
• Center Square Fabric: 1/3 yard, cut into one 10" x 11 1/2" piece
• Small Panel Pieces: Additional fabric cut into 2 pieces measuring 11 1/2" x 19 1/2" and 2 pieces measuring 9 1/2" x 23 1/2"

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate-level project, Brilliant Union is suitable for quilters with some piecing experience. The pattern requires accurate cutting and seaming skills, as well as understanding of sequential unit assembly and directional piecing. The use of pre-cut panels simplifies the design while the multiple units and sashing elements provide appropriate complexity for intermediate skill development.

Format and Availability

Brilliant Union is available as a free downloadable PDF pattern from Riley Blake Designs, making it accessible for quilters seeking a featured panel project without additional cost.