Riley Blake Off To The Races - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Off To The Races – Downloadable Quilt Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

Off to the Races is a free, downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Melissa Mortenson of Polka Dot Chair and published by Riley Blake Designs. The finished quilt measures a generous 54" x 54", making it an ideal lap or throw quilt. It is rated as an intermediate quilting project, meaning it is best suited for quilters who already have a working knowledge of basic quilting techniques and terminology, including accurate cutting, piecing, and appliqué. The design is inspired by a classic Derby-style horse racing theme, bringing together playful equestrian prints, bold graphic patterns, and a cheerful color palette of navy, hot pink, aqua, and clean white.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a single square patchwork quilt measuring 54 inches by 54 inches. The quilt is built around a repeating Derby Block, each of which finishes at 8½" x 8½". These blocks are assembled using precise triangle and square units, then framed with multiple pieced and solid borders. A standout design element is a horse appliqué cut from a provided template, which is incorporated into the quilt as a focal feature. The overall layout evokes the festive energy of a horse racing derby, combining structured geometric patchwork with a whimsical illustrative accent.

Techniques Used

• Patchwork piecing – The foundation of the quilt, involving the accurate sewing together of cut fabric pieces with a consistent ¼" seam allowance, with all pieces sewn right sides together.
• Half-square and quarter-square triangle construction – Squares are cut once diagonally to create B triangles, and cut twice diagonally to create A triangles, which are then pieced into the Derby Blocks.
• Appliqué – A horse motif is cut using the provided template, with a ¼" seam allowance added. Quilters may reverse the image if needed to suit their preferred appliqué method, whether that is fusible, needle-turn, or another technique.
• Block assembly – Each Derby Block is constructed by sewing clean white solid triangles to the sides of small print squares to form Unit A, which is then combined with additional units to complete the block.
• Border construction – The quilt features multiple borders, including a Border 2 cut from strips of hot pink houndstooth fabric at 5½" x width of fabric (WOF).
• Accurate cutting – Precise rotary cutting of strips and sub-cutting into squares and triangles is essential throughout, with all measurements including the ¼" seam allowance.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

• Straight stitch – The standard stitch used throughout for all patchwork piecing and border attachment, sewn at a consistent ¼" seam allowance.
• Appliqué stitch – The specific stitch used for the horse appliqué will depend on the quilter's chosen appliqué method; common options include a blind hem stitch, blanket stitch, or straight stitch with fusible web.

Fabrics and Materials

This pattern is designed specifically around Riley Blake Designs fabrics from the Off to the Races collection. The fabric requirements call for a carefully curated selection of prints and solids, including:

• C4420 Aqua and C4420 Pink – aqua main and pink main prints, each requiring ⅛ yard
• C4421 Aqua and C4421 Pink – aqua luck and pink luck prints, each ⅛ yard
• C4422 Aqua, C4422 Navy, and C4422 Pink – horse prints in aqua (⅛ yard), navy (1 yard), and pink (⅛ yard)
• C450-20 Aqua and C450-70