As a child, I remember my grandmother’s hands, always busy, always creating.
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She was a quilter, and her creations were nothing short of magical. Each quilt was a story, a tapestry of memories and moments stitched together with love and patience.
One of my favorite memories was of a quilt she made for my 10th birthday. It was a block sampler quilt, each block a different pattern, each pattern a different memory. It was a quilt that I cherished, and it sparked my love for quilting.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself following in her footsteps, creating my own stories through quilts. Recently, I completed the RBD (Riley Blake Designs) 2021 Quilt Block Challenge Sampler Quilt, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. The navy background turned out stunning, and the blocks and sashing truly pop. This quilt was a free quilt-a-long hosted by Riley Blake Designs, and I’m excited to share the process with you.
The RBD Block Sampler Quilt
The RBD Block Sampler Quilt is a beautiful quilt that combines different blocks to create a visually stunning piece.
The quilt was started back in February, with three new quilt block patterns released each month through June. The blocks play beautifully together, and the limited color palette and fabric selection work really well.
The different shades of reds, whites, and blues give some visual interest and a scrappy feel, but the tight palette keeps the quilt from feeling too busy, making the individual blocks the stars of the quilt.
Materials Needed
Here are the fabric requirements for the version I made:
- Oxford Blue instead of Le Creme (and added an extra outside 5″ border) – about 6 yards
- Red Gingham instead of Chive for sashing + outside binding – 1 ½ yards
- Songbird (Aqua) blue instead of Curry for sashing – 1 yard
- 10 or so assorted ¼ – ⅜ yards of the other red, white, and blue prints + the remnants of the fabrics above to make all of the blocks.
- Backing – 4 ½ yards
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start with the Blocks: You can find the free PDF patterns of all 16 individual blocks here. Follow the instructions to create each block. Remember, each block is unique and adds to the overall design of the quilt.
- Sashing and Finishing: Once all the blocks are completed, it’s time to add the sashing. You can find the quilt sashing and finishing instructions here. The sashing helps to frame each block and adds to the overall design of the quilt.
- Add the Border: I added a wide outside border to my quilt. The original RBD design finishes at 62″ x 62″. I added a 5″ border (cut 8 strips at 5 ½″ x Width of Fabric) to frame the design and to make the quilt a little bigger. My quilt finishes at 72″ x 72″.
- Quilting: The quilting was done by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting. I chose a Baptist Fan over all design to compliment the classic sampler quilt layout. It gives some nice texture to the quilt without distracting from the quilt design.
- Binding: For the binding, I cut the red mini gingham print on the bias. It adds a sweet touch to the overall design.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Quilting is a journey, a process that requires patience, creativity, and a love for the craft. The RBD Block Sampler Quilt is a testament to this journey, a quilt that combines different blocks to create a visually stunning piece. It’s a quilt that tells a story, a quilt that carries memories, just like the one my grandmother made for me all those years ago.
So, grab your materials, download the patterns, and start your quilting journey. And remember, each stitch is a step forward, each block a new chapter, each quilt a story waiting to be told. Happy quilting!
