
RBD Block Challenge 2025 - Week 16: Town Square
This week, we’re wrapping up the Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge with Town Square, designed by Tara Reed. With its crisp Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and Stitch-and-Flip (SNF) corners, this block captures the heart of community and connection—what better way to complete our quilts?
Reflections: Celebrating Community
As I pieced Town Square, I couldn’t help but think about how this block reflects the heart of every quilt—bringing pieces together to form something greater. The symmetry and movement reminded me of how a town square is a gathering place, full of life, stories, and connections.
For my version, I used fabrics from my It Takes a Village collection, pairing rich reds, soft corals, and crisp creams to evoke warmth and harmony. The balance of bold tones and softer accents made the block feel welcoming, like the center of a quilted community.
A Closer Look at Town Square
Town Square is a 10" x 10" finished block featuring HSTs, SNF corners, and a striking central square. Tara’s thoughtful design is approachable while offering room for creativity with color placement and contrast.
My Take on the Block
Here’s how I brought Town Square to life:
- Fabric Choices: I selected prints from It Takes a Village , using bold reds and warm corals to frame the softer, neutral tones.
- Focus on Symmetry: Careful placement of contrasting colors helped highlight the block’s structured layout.
- Tips for Success:
- Trim HSTs precisely to ensure clean, sharp points.
- Press seams toward darker fabrics for crisp lines and a smooth finish.
- Lay out all pieces before sewing to confirm the balance of colors and flow.
Fabrics I Used
- It Takes a Village by Jennifer Long, Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs
- Confetti Cottons by Riley Blake Designs
Ways to Share and Serve
As we complete our quilts, here are a few ways to let your Town Square block bring people together:
- Host a Quilting Day: Use this block to inspire a group quilting project. Invite friends or family to sew and connect, creating something meaningful together.
- Gift a Memory Quilt: Incorporate this block into a quilt that celebrates a shared experience, like a wedding, family reunion, or community event.
- Support a Local Charity: Use this block as the centerpiece for a quilt donation to a shelter or fundraiser—it’s a beautiful way to give back.
Your Turn
I’d love to see how you bring your vision to Town Square! Share your block on Instagram and tag @sewastory, @artisttarareed, @rileyblakedesigns, and #RBDblockchallenge. Let’s celebrate the end of this journey and the creativity that brought us together!
What is the RBD Block Challenge?
The Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge is a free quilt-along featuring 16 unique blocks created by Riley Blake’s talented designers.
- Perfect for quilters of all levels.
- Completely free to participate!
Find all the details and resources here:
Thank you for quilting along with me. Let’s keep the creativity and connection going—I can’t wait to see your Town Square blocks!