Riley Michelle Quilt Pattern Story & Coloring Pages
- Jen Wagner
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
My daughter Riley is graduating from the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno this spring and I couldn’t be prouder. She has always had the biggest heart — the kind that shows up for people when it matters most. She’s working as a nanny for a sweet little boy, a nurse apprentice at the hospital, and even provides home health care for a paralyzed man — all while finishing nursing school. On top of that, she’s poured her energy into Camp Kesem at UNR, serving on the board and volunteering as a camp counselor to support kids whose parents are affected by cancer.
When I started designing this quilt, I kept thinking about Riley’s strength, her kindness, and her determination to make a difference. Naming it Riley Michelle felt like the most natural thing in the world — a way to honor this incredible young woman who inspires me every single day. She absolutely loves the quilt and says it feels like a piece of her story stitched into fabric.
Quilt Design & Construction
This quilt marks my final project as a 2025 Benartex Ambassador (but don't worry, they've already invited me to continue working with them in some fun new exciting ways!).
For this project, I was challenged to design using precut fabric packs. Designing with a specific framework in mind is always an interesting twist—normally I start by sketching and let the design evolve organically. This time though, I began with 5" squares and I love what happened! Bonus - the pattern also includes options for using 10" x 10" precut packs and yardage.
I’ve been obsessed with how freezer paper can make stitching small curves smoother, easier, and more precise (you might recognize this technique from Mini Moons, Pamela Mae, and Poppy Louise). I experimented again here—and I love how beautifully it works in this pattern.
See the YouTube Tutorial HERE.
When I teach curved piecing with freezer paper, people light up - excited about how much easier it makes curves. I'm thrilled to be releasing another pattern that takes what I've learned and built upon it - another way to do curves with freezer paper!!!
Fabric, Quilting, & Pattern Features
For the cover quilt, I used the beautiful Go With the Flow collection by Ann Lauer for Benartex, adding her Echo fabric in black for the sashing, border, and binding. This project was a great reminder that designing with precuts—like 5" x 5" squares—requires a little flexibility. Each pack includes a limited number of each print, so when I began sewing, I quickly discovered I couldn’t make my quilt match my original layout exactly. But that pushed me to embrace a scrappier look and I absolutely love the movement and personality it created! I paired darks with lights and the flower and leaf prints with solid-appearing fabrics to create balance and definition. And because I loved the main print from the collection so much, I had to use it on the back—it ties the whole quilt together beautifully and inspired me to free-motion quilt flowers, leaves, feathers, and swirls to match.
For quilters who prefer a more planned or more modern approach, the pattern also includes a second colorway that uses just four fabrics. I've shown it here mocked up in solids, but keep reading to see how my pattern testers used it in prints! No matter which direction you choose, contrast plays a major role in letting the design shine.
The pattern includes 3 size options (wall, lap, and twin). The cover quilt and mockup above are in the lap size as well as Amanda's quilt below.
Pattern Testing: Where Quilts Take on a Life of Their Own
I love giving a shout-out to my testers—they volunteer their time, skills, and creativity to help me make each pattern the best it can be. Plus, it’s such a joy to see the same quilt pattern interpreted in so many different ways. Every tester brings a little magic of their own and I couldn’t do it without them!
Amanda @stitchymomma went all purple keeping her solid fabrics consistent but switching up the purple fabrics in each block. She said, "These blocks are fun to play with! I really like this method for curves. It seems to stabilize things as I sew, as well as giving me a very clear line to follow."
Cath @cathlmaker made a wall sized quilt to donate as a baby quilt using Farm Fresh by Jessica Flick for Benartex. Adorable!
Mel’s @lindylouquilts wall-sized black-and-white quilt with florals makes me grin from ear to ear! It’s soft and sweet, and bold and striking all at once, especially with that fun striped binding. She also embraced the freezer paper method, dubbing it “peel as you sew”—and that phrase has officially stuck! See it HERE
Suzi @redwinequilter - used blue and white sashing to set apart her gorgeous blocks made in a variety of batiks. As she was working on her project she said, "I'm really loving how these are coming together."
Nancy @nlbgolfergirl made her blocks in two different colorways creating so much visual interest! She used Alluring Peacock prints from Benartex with solids from stash and used the rest of her fabrics to piece her quilt back! Did you noticed how she played with the layout to make a star in her blocks?!
Kristin @kristensewkrafty added a black solid to yellow and purple floral prints for a high contrast pop that makes me want to find a sunny place to smell the roses!
If you're ready to dive in and start creating your own Riley Michelle quilt, use the links below for the pattern (printed or PDF download), kit, free coloring pages. Be sure to tag me @snapdragonquilting when you share using #RileyMichelleQuilt because I'd LOVE to see what you make.
Happy Quilting!
