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    Home » Quilts » Free Patterns

    2021 RBD Block Challenge; Block 1, Pinwheel Star Block

    Updated: Jan 7, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 3 Comments

    I’m excited to announce that the Riley Blake Block Challenge is back! Each week get a free quilt block pattern and sew along with us as we create a mystery quilt!

    Blue, and pink quilt block from liberty of london fabrics on white cutting mat

    Last Spring, a group of Riley Blake Designers got together for a very informal, impromptu quilt along. Each week one of us shared a quilt block on our blog, and at the end of the quilt along, participants had enough blocks to create a sampler quilt.

    It was such a hit that Riley Blake decided to do it again! This go-around is even better since they have created PDF’s for you to grab each week of the quilt along.

    About the Quilt

    The final quilt layout is a mystery! I can tell you there are 16 blocks that finish at 10″ each. The quilt also features some “fancy sashing”. I’ve seen the finished quilt and you’re going to love it!

    various bright colors of flat folds of liberty fabrics on white cutting mat

    For my quilt, I’ve decided to use Liberty of London’s quilting cotton range, Summer Flower Show. I ordered my fabric on Etsy last week, so I know it’s still available. My daughter has been bugging me to create an ALL Liberty quilt for her, and I decided this would be a great opportunity to do so!

    Quilt Along Schedule

    The quilt along runs now through June. On the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, we will share a new block pattern. The remaining weeks in each month will be for catching up. I’ll be posting all of the block patterns here. If you forget to grab one, they will also be in the Sewing Template Library.

    • February Blocks:
    • Block 1; Pinwheel Star & Introduction
    • Block 2; Shining Star
    • Block 3; Framed Flower Block
    • March Blocks:
    • Block 4; Stella
    • Block 5: Ocean Waves
    • Block 6: Windmill Block
    • April Blocks:
    • Block 7; Reach for the Stars
    • Block 8; Butterfly
    • Block 9; Sugar Candy
    • May Blocks:
    • Block 10; Lady of the Lake
    • Block 11; Glint
    • Block 12; Nine Patch Star
    • June Blocks:
    • Block 13; Dizzy Pinwheel
    • Block 14; I Heart Quilting
    • Block 15; Summer Picnic
    • Block 16; Checkerboard Star & Final Quilt Layout

    How to Get the Pattern

    The pattern is free and provided by Riley Blake Designs with blocks created by 16 different designers.

    Fill out the form below and we will email you all of the blocks in the challenge.

    Organization Tips!

    various bright colors of flat folds of liberty fabrics on white cutting mat with envelop and paper

    Since this quilt along covers a few months and several weeks, you’re going to end up with a lot of printed paperwork. I like to keep my projects like this organized in clear envelopes. I grabbed mine on Amazon, you can find them in office supply stores as well.

    Quilt Block Examples

    Quite a few Riley Blake Designers are sewing along with the challenge. Here are a couple of the blocks they created if you’re looking for ideas.

    yellow and green quilt block from liberty of london fabrics on white cutting mat

    The employees at Riley Blake Designs are stitching along too and using the new Riley Blake Confetti Cotton colors for their quilt.

    Blue, and pink quilt block from liberty of london fabrics on white cutting mat

    Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl designed this weeks block. Here you can see her version stitched up in her new fabric line, Mod Meow.

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JENNIFER GRADY says

      February 09, 2021 at 11:38 am

      Hello Melissa! I would love to do this as it’s a good way to keep the “sewjo” on a high note. That said, I’ve never done a mystery quilt, and I’m stymied as to where to start for fabric selection. Would prefer to shop (and put a dent in) my stash, but am stuck on where to start without a hint of the blocks or layout. I’m looking at the fabric requirements and guessing that I should focus the largest yardage pieces on my favorite fabrics and build a palette around that. Any tips would be so appreciated.

      Thanks for sharing these great projects. Stay well!

      PS: Have to say I’m still LOVING your Let’s Be Mermaids line and, totally random, but a non-sewer friend gave me a wine glass for Christmas that is etched with “Let’s be mermaids”. She had no idea how perfect it was. On my to do list is your ONLY GOOD VIBES quilt and can’t wait to get started on that. I’ve decided it will be my new beach blanket and captioned instead with: BEST. DAY. EVER. I’ve just watched the video for your Ahoy Mermaids line and will need to be purchasing more fabric. Swoon-worthy. Just sayin’…

      Reply
    2. susan strudwick says

      June 27, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      Just found this quilt challenge and love it but are the fabric requirements no longer available?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        June 28, 2021 at 11:16 am

        In the post you’ll see links to download the fabric requirements in the library.

        Reply

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    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

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