Riley Blake Evening Gown - Downloadable PDF

Riley Blake Evening Gown Quilt – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern by Lia Tueller

The Riley Blake Evening Gown is a free downloadable PDF quilt pattern designed by Lia Tueller and published by Riley Blake Designs. The finished quilt measures 56" x 60", making it a generous lap or throw size that showcases an elegant, fashion-inspired aesthetic through the use of sophisticated fabric combinations and decorative appliqué.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a strip-pieced quilt with flower appliqué that evokes the look of a formal evening gown. The design uses a carefully ordered sequence of fabric strips in black, white, and gray tones to simulate the draped, flowing panels of an elegant dress. Large, medium, and small flower appliqués are then layered over the strip-pieced quilt top to add dimension and a romantic, couture-inspired finish. The result is a quilt that functions equally well as a decorative wall hanging or a cozy lap quilt.

Techniques Used

• Strip piecing – The central design is constructed by sewing fabric strips together in a specific, deliberate order. Each strip is cut to 40½" wide, and the strips are joined in a precise sequence to create the gown silhouette effect.
• Appliqué – Flower motifs in large, medium, and small sizes, along with flower centers, are applied to the quilt top using the quilter's preferred appliqué method. The pattern allows flexibility here, welcoming fusible appliqué, needle-turn appliqué, or any other favored technique.
• Borders – Two rounds of borders frame the quilt. Border 1 is cut from the black main fabric in 5½"-wide strips, with side borders measuring 44½" and top and bottom borders measuring 50½". Border 2 is cut from the gray dot fabric in 3½"-wide strips, with side borders at 54½" and top and bottom borders at 56½". The pattern correctly advises measuring through the center of the quilt before cutting border pieces, as seam allowances can vary.
• Quilt layering and finishing – The completed quilt top is layered in the traditional manner with batting and backing before quilting and binding.

Stitches and Quilting Skills Required

This pattern requires a basic knowledge of quilting technique and terminology. Quilters should be comfortable with:

• Accurate ¼" seam allowances – All measurements in the pattern include a ¼" seam allowance, and pieces are sewn with right sides together throughout.
• Straight-line sewing – Strip piecing and border attachment rely on consistent, straight machine stitching.
• Appliqué stitching – Whether using a machine satin stitch, blanket stitch, or hand needle-turn technique, some form of appliqué finishing stitch is needed to secure the flower motifs.

Fabrics and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically around Riley Blake Designs fabrics, with each fabric identified by its precise product code. The full fabric requirements are as follows:

• 1 yard black main (C3080 Black)
• ¼ yard white main (C3080 White)
• ⅛ yard gray damask (C3081 Gray)
• ¼ yard gray flower (C3082 Gray)
• ¼ yard white flower (C3082 White)
• ½ yard gray petal (C3083 Gray)
• ¼ yard white petal (C3083 White)
• ⅝ yard gray dot (C3084 Gray)
• ¼ yard white dot (C3084 White)