Riley Blake Sunshine - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Sunshine Quilt Pattern by Lori Whitlock – Free Downloadable PDF

The Riley Blake Sunshine pattern, designed by Lori Whitlock and published by Riley Blake Designs, is a cheerful and vibrant quilt project available as a free downloadable PDF. The finished quilt measures a generous 58" x 58", making it a versatile square throw or lap quilt. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best suited to quilters who already have a foundational understanding of quilting techniques and terminology.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single finished quilt constructed around four large Sunshine Blocks, each measuring 18" x 18" when finished. The Sunshine Blocks feature a distinctive blade and circle appliqué design that creates the appearance of a bright, radiating sun or flower motif. These four blocks are arranged in a 2 x 2 layout to form the quilt center, which is then framed by a series of three successive borders that expand the quilt to its full 58" square dimension. The result is a bold, graphic quilt with a retro-inspired folk-art aesthetic.

Techniques Used

• Appliqué: The signature Sunshine Blocks are constructed using appliqué to attach curved blade shapes and a center circle onto a background square. Quilters may use their preferred appliqué method; the pattern notes that a ¼" seam allowance should be added to the center circle pieces if necessary for the chosen technique.
• Piecing with accurate seam allowances: All measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance, and quilters are instructed to sew with right sides together throughout.
• Bordered quilt construction: Three successive borders are added around the quilt center. Because seam allowances can vary, the pattern specifically advises measuring through the center of the quilt before cutting border strips to ensure accurate fit.
• Lightweight interfacing application: The pattern calls for 2⅛ yards of lightweight interfacing, which is used to stabilize fabric pieces — a technique commonly employed to support appliqué work and maintain crisp edges on curved shapes.
• Block layout and row assembly: Blocks are laid out in two rows of two and sewn together to complete the quilt center before borders are attached.

Stitches and Construction Details

• Standard straight stitch piecing is used throughout for joining blocks, rows, and border strips.
• Appliqué stitching — whether by hand or machine — is used to secure the sunshine blade and center circle motifs to the background squares. The specific appliqué stitch (such as blanket stitch, satin stitch, or invisible stitch) is left to the quilter's preference.

Cutting Requirements and Block Construction

Each of the four Sunshine Blocks begins with an 18½" x 18½" square cut from snow white shade (C200-03 Snow White) fabric. Onto each background square, 16 sunshine blade shapes are appliquéd, cut from the included template with seam allowance. The blades are cut from an assortment of five coordinating prints:

• Pink petals (C3151 Pink)
• Red birds (C3153 Red)
• Blue daisy (C3154 Blue)
• Multi dot (C3156 Multi)
• Red dot (C3156 Red)

Each block also features a center circle cut from yellow plaid (C3155 Yellow), which anchors the radiating blade design at the heart of each sun motif.

Border Details

Three borders frame the quilt center, each adding dimension and color. The pattern specifies measuring through the quilt center before cutting to account for any variation in seam allowances:

• Border 1: Side borders at 36½"; top and bottom borders at 40½"