Riley Blake Summer Dance - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Summer Dance Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Doodlebug Design Inc.

The Summer Dance quilt pattern is a free downloadable PDF designed by Doodlebug Design Inc. and published by Riley Blake Designs. It produces a cheerful, finished quilt measuring 42" x 46", making it a versatile project suitable as a lap quilt, a child's quilt, or a decorative throw. The pattern is rated intermediate difficulty and assumes a basic working knowledge of quilting technique and terminology.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a pieced quilt built around a repeating block called the Summer Dance Block, which finishes at 4" x 4". A total of 42 Summer Dance Blocks are assembled and arranged in 7 rows of 6 blocks to form the quilt center. The design is then framed by three successive borders that add structure, visual weight, and a polished finish to the overall composition. The result is a bright, summery quilt with a lively, floral-inspired palette drawn entirely from the Riley Blake fabric collection.

Block Construction and Techniques

Each Summer Dance Block is constructed by combining two Four-Patch Units with two 2½" snow white shade squares. The Four-Patch Unit is a classic quilting building block in which four smaller squares are sewn together in a two-by-two arrangement, creating a simple checkerboard effect within each unit. This technique is ideal for intermediate quilters who are comfortable with precise cutting and consistent seam allowances.

• Four-Patch Units: The foundational sub-unit of each Summer Dance Block, pieced from small squares of the patterned Riley Blake fabrics.
• Block Assembly: Two Four-Patch Units and two solid snow white squares are joined to complete each 4" x 4" Summer Dance Block.
• Row Assembly: Completed blocks are laid out in 7 rows of 6 blocks each, then sewn row by row to form the quilt center.
• Border Application: Three separate borders are added in sequence — side borders are always sewn first, followed by top and bottom borders, a standard quilting best practice.

Borders

The pattern includes three distinct borders that frame the quilt center and expand the finished dimensions. Because seam allowances can vary from quilter to quilter, the pattern specifically instructs makers to measure through the center of the quilt before cutting any border strips, and to sew strips end to end if additional length is needed. The border dimensions are as follows:

• Border 1: Side borders at 28½"; top and bottom borders at 30½".
• Border 2: Side borders at 34½"; top and bottom borders at 32½".
• Border 3: Side borders at 36½"; top and bottom borders at 42½".

This layered border approach is a classic quilting technique that adds both visual framing and practical size to the finished piece.

Stitches and Quilting Methods

As a quilting pattern, Summer Dance relies on standard straight-stitch piecing throughout. All seams are sewn with right sides together and include a ¼" seam allowance, which is the industry standard for quilt piecing and critical to achieving accurate block and border measurements. Quilters should be comfortable with consistent seam allowances to ensure that blocks align properly across all 42 units.

Fabric Requirements and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically around Riley Blake Designs fabrics, with each fabric referenced by its specific colorway and SKU. The fabric requirements are as follows:

• Pink main (C3250 Pink): ¾ yard (70 cm)
• White flowers (C3251 White): ½ yard (50 cm)
• Blue petal (C3254 Blue): ⅛ yard (10 cm)
• Red petal (C3254 Red): ⅛ yard (10 cm)