Patriotic Sampler Quilt Layout

Another update on the Riley Blake Design Block Challenge Quilt with a plan for this sampler quilt layout. I made this in patriotic colors for my first patriotic quilt.

We are at the end of the Quilt A Long and I hope to get this done before Malaysia’s Independence Day on 31st August. If you’re wondering why. the colors are the same as the American flag (Americana colours) except for the yellows, you can read about the beginning of this quilt HERE>

Patriotic Sampler Quilt

As with all the sampler quilts, this one was definitely an enjoyable one to make.

I get bored when piecing or cutting 100’s of the same size units, hence sampler quilt is my go-to quilts.

But this time, I decided that it was going to be in patriotic colours.

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Riley Blake Design Block Challenge

Riley Blake Design ran a quilt along that has just ended (from Jan 4th to May 17th). the quilt along is called the RBD Block Challenge which I suppose is perfect for the challenging blocks they have for this sampler quilt.

You can click here to get the free patterns for all the blocks.

You can also join the Facebook Group here to see lots of blocks being made in various fabrics by quilters from all over the world.

Fabric Choices for a Patriotic Quilt look

I chose to make mine in patriotic colors from an older collection by Riley Blake Designs. I just love the floral goodness with the deep colors of this collection.

You can get a similar vibe with the newer collection HERE>

Sampler Quilt Layout

As for the setting layout, I decided to add the yellows! This fits perfectly with the Malaysian Flag. You can read all about that in my previous post here.

I am using Blossom by Christopher Thomspon for Riley Blake Designs. I think this is a great super cute basic to have and the colours in this collection is just beautiful and a lot to choose from!

Back to the setting of this sampler quilt layout,

The pattern calls for a lot of Irish chain blocks in between and more as the final border.

I made Irish chain setting blocks easily and quickly by strip piecing and this is super easy when you have the Stripology Ruler! I absolutely love this ruler. You can see the video embedded below in this post.

I am planning for a slightly different border, just because I ran out of the Blossom Tone on Tone white

I think the final Yellow Border (also Blossom Fabric in Honey Blossom by Christopher Thompson) is perfect to finish it off.

Overall, I love the look of this quilt and it is going onto the pile of quilts to quilt. I have to admit, I do have a growing quilt top pile but I’ll get to it. And hopefully, this one will get to the finish line just before we celebrate our Independence day.

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Tools I love using for this project

Diagonal Seam Tape. This is a game-changer when it comes to making lots of HST. No more marking on the fabric, and they work perfectly great. Tape it to the machine, and keep an eye on the tape to guide the fabric through.

My new 14″ square portable boards. You can read more or find the tutorial about that here>

Stripology Squared Ruler – this is so easy to use for trimming the many HST’s we have in these blocks. I use this to square up all the units that are larger than 2.5″ square.

Seam Roller. I used this a lot for piecing the units together. This helps to cut time pressing the seams. I press the block with a hot iron only when the units are large or when the block is all done.

Seam Ripper! A sharp and ergonomic one makes a whole lot of difference, I did use this seam ripper a lot for this quilt.

My trusted workhorse, Janome Horizon Memory Craft QCP8200
Sets of Trimming Rulers (small rulers makes a difference when you need to trim small units)
Mini Rotating Mat (mainly used to trim the units before piecing them together)