Travel with Riley Blake Designs Flannel

Hey there! I’m Alexis from Stitched By Alexis, a quilter, photographer, and avid quilt traveler. Recently, we returned from an incredible journey through Alaska and the Pacific Northwest (PNW)—and of course, our quilts came along for the ride. This isn’t the first time I’ve taken quilts with me; they’re not just for relaxing and finishing hand bindings but also for capturing some amazing photographs. Today, while I share about Riley Blake Designs delightful new flannel, I’ll also pass along some tips for safely traveling with your quilts.

The holiday season is always special—cooler weather, festive aromas, and cozy quilts placed around homes for warmth. When Riley Blake introduced their new flannel prints in the Christmas collection, I knew I had to create something special. The flannel is incredibly soft—trust me, you won’t want to share it!

Having made a few Lottie quilts by Penelope Handmade, I knew this project would be perfect for showcasing the festive flannel. Lottie’s large blocks beautifully display larger prints, making it ideal for this season. Plus, it comes together quickly, perfect for the busy holiday season.

Details:

Background: Flannel Snow Dots Cream

Outside fans: Flannel Old Fashioned Christmas Check Multi & Flannel Snow Dots Pine

Inside fans: Flannel Snow Dots Red & Flannel Hot Coco

Binding: Confetti Cotton in Barn Red

Backing: Pin Dot Red

Longarm Pantograph: Poinsettia by Patricia Ritter, longarm quilted by Stitched by Alexis

Travel Tips

When traveling with quilts, consider your destination, luggage allowances, and mode of transportation. For our recent trip, we split our time between cruising and road trips. Though I typically avoid checked luggage, I made an exception this time due to our straightforward travel plans. To keep track of our items, I rely on air tags for a digital footprint of their whereabouts.

To protect quilts from dirt and dust, I always use quilt covers that tightly pack them and provide an extra layer of security. While not waterproof, they effectively deter dust and dirt, ensuring our quilts stay as clean as possible during travel.

Since photography is a big part of our trips, we always bring along our DIY quilt sticks—they’re essential for getting those perfect shots. These sticks are compact enough to fit in checked luggage yet provide the support needed for great photos. You can find a tutorial for making your own DIY quilt sticks here and a video here.

As you prepare for the holiday season, don’t forget to consider Riley Blake’s magnificent flannel for your next holiday quilt. And remember these travel tips as you plan your holiday adventures.

Until next time,

Alexis