Riley Blake Bohemia Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Bohemia Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern Summary

The Riley Blake Bohemia Quilt is a 50" x 50" finished square quilt designed by Riley Blake Designs. This intermediate-level quilting project combines classic patchwork construction with decorative appliqué to create a striking bohemian-inspired throw or lap quilt. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible choice for quilters who are ready to move beyond beginner techniques and explore more intricate block work.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a square lap quilt or decorative throw measuring 50 inches by 50 inches. The design is built around Dresden Plate blocks, each finishing at 20" x 20". Four of these blocks are assembled together to create the complete quilt top. The overall aesthetic is bohemian and vintage-inspired, with circular medallion-style blocks that give the finished piece an heirloom quality.

Quilt Blocks and Design Details

Dresden Plate Block

The centerpiece of the Bohemia Quilt is the Dresden Plate block, a beloved traditional quilting design featuring fan-shaped blades arranged in a circular formation to resemble a decorative plate or flower. Each finished block measures 20" x 20", and the quilt uses four of these blocks arranged according to the quilt photo for placement guidance.

• Dresden blades are sewn with right sides together along their side edges to construct the plate shape.
• The right side of the completed Dresden plate is then laid on top of interfacing, and the outside edge is stitched ¼" around the perimeter, pivoting carefully at each blade point to achieve clean, sharp tips.
• A center circle is cut from cream stars fabric and applied to the middle of each Dresden Plate block to finish the design. A ¼" seam allowance is added to the center circle, adjusted as needed based on the quilter's preferred appliqué method.

Background Squares

The background of each block is constructed from cream stars fabric. Four squares measuring 20½" x 20½" are cut from this fabric to serve as the block foundations. The additional ½" accounts for the standard ¼" seam allowance on all sides, which is used throughout the pattern.

Techniques Used

The Riley Blake Bohemia Quilt is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, meaning it is best suited for quilters who already have a foundational understanding of quilting terminology and construction methods. The pattern itself notes that a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology is required before beginning.

• Patchwork construction – Sewing fabric pieces with right sides together using precise ¼" seam allowances throughout.
• Dresden Plate assembly – A traditional curved and pointed blade technique requiring careful pivoting at blade tips when stitching.
• Appliqué – The center circles are applied using the quilter's preferred appliqué method. The pattern accommodates various appliqué styles by instructing quilters to add their own seam allowance to the circle pieces as needed.
• Interfacing use – The Dresden plate is layered onto interfacing before stitching the outer edge, a technique that helps stabilize the curved and pointed shapes and produces a cleaner finished edge.
• Block placement and quilt assembly – Blocks are arranged by referring to the quilt photo, requiring the quilter to read and interpret a layout diagram.

Stitches and Construction Notes

• All seams are sewn with right sides together unless otherwise stated in the pattern.
• A consistent ¼" seam allowance is used throughout and is already included in all cutting measurements.
• Pivoting at blade points is specifically called out when stitching around the outside edge of the Dresden plate, which is a key skill for achieving neat, well-defined blade tips.

Materials Referenced

The pattern references cream stars fabric as a specific fabric used