Riley Blake Ruby Red - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Ruby Red Quilt Pattern by Carina Gardner – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Ruby Red is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake Designs. This pattern produces a striking finished quilt measuring 62¾" x 79", making it an ideal size for a generous lap quilt or a cozy throw. The design is rated beginner difficulty, making it a welcoming project for those who are just starting their quilting journey while still offering enough visual interest to satisfy more experienced quilters who want a satisfying, straightforward make.

About the Ruby Red Design

The Ruby Red quilt features a classic on-point layout, where blocks are set diagonally across the quilt surface to create a dynamic, eye-catching composition. The design incorporates Center Blocks, Posts, Sashing, Setting Triangles, and Corner Triangles, all arranged on the diagonal to build the central medallion-style field of the quilt. This on-point setting is one of the most beloved traditional quilt layouts, lending the finished piece a sense of movement and elegance that a straight-set grid cannot achieve.

The finished block size is 9½" x 9½", and the blocks are joined with sashing strips and posts — a classic construction method that frames each individual block and adds structure and rhythm to the overall design. The Red Stripe fabric plays a key role in the visual identity of this quilt, contributing bold, graphic energy that complements the rich ruby red colorway throughout.

Quilting Techniques Used

The Ruby Red pattern draws on several foundational quilting techniques that are essential skills for any beginner to learn and practice:

• On-point block setting: Blocks are sewn together on the diagonal, which requires the use of Setting Triangles along the edges and Corner Triangles at the four corners of the quilt center. These triangles are intentionally cut larger than needed so that the quilt center can be squared up accurately after assembly, with a ¼" seam allowance preserved on all sides.
• Sashing and posts: Sashing strips are sewn between blocks to separate and frame them, while posts (small squares) appear at the intersections of sashing strips. This technique adds structure and a secondary design element to the quilt top.
• Borders: The quilt includes at least one border (Border 1), constructed from 6 strips cut 2½" x WOF (Width of Fabric). Borders are measured through the center of the quilt to ensure accurate sizing and to prevent wavy edges — a critical technique for a flat, professional finish.
• Right sides together sewing: All seams are sewn with right sides of fabric facing each other, which is the standard method in quilting for clean, hidden seam allowances.
• ¼" seam allowance: All measurements in this pattern include a standard ¼" seam allowance, the quilting industry norm that ensures blocks and units finish at the correct dimensions when sewn together.
• Squaring up: After assembling the diagonal center, the quilt is squared up before borders are added, ensuring straight, even edges throughout the finished piece.

Stitches and Construction Methods

As a quilting pattern, the Ruby Red design relies on straight-line machine stitching throughout the piecing process. The primary stitch used is a consistent straight stitch at a ¼" seam allowance, which is the backbone of all quilt block construction. Accurate, consistent seam allowances are especially important in this pattern because the on-point setting and sashing grid require precise piecing for all the intersections to align correctly.

Quilters will also press seams as they work — either open or to one side depending on preference — to reduce bulk and help blocks lie flat. Careful pressing is particularly important when working with sashing and posts, where multiple seam intersections meet at a single point.

Materials – Fabric

The pattern is designed to coordinate with Riley Blake Designs fabrics, specifically featuring the 10-7690-42 So Ruby 10-inch Stacker as a key fabric requirement. A 10-inch Stacker is a pre-cut fabric bundle consisting of 10" x 10" squares, which simplifies fabric selection and cutting preparation. The rich ruby red colorway is central to the quilt's identity, and the inclusion of