Rail fence blocks are one of the easiest quilt blocks to create and work with a variety of different styles of fabrics….especially those that use low volume prints!
There are several methods used to make Rail Fence Quilt blocks and these blocks can be made using 3, 4, or even 5 stripes but today I am going to show you a very conventional way to make these blocks using 3 stripes (and brand new fabric designed by our friend Amy Barickman from Indygo Junction!).
Let’s get started!
#1. Cut 3 strips of fabric that each measure 3.5″ x 9.5″.
#2. Lay the first strip of fabric on top of the middle strip of fabric and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.
#3. Open and press towards the dark side.
#4. Lay the last strip on top of the middle strip and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.
#5. Press towards the dark side and you are finished!
*Although at this point I would always recommend squaring your block. These blocks “finish” at 9.5″ x 9.5″ but I trimmed mine down to 9.25″ x 9.25″ to make them all perfectly square. (The one in the photo above has NOT been squared yet!)
The photo below is shows the Rail Fence block from the back side:
I like this photo because it is a good example of why I like to press the seams towards “the dark side”. You can see that on each side of the seam line you can see a shadow of the darker fabric through the white swiss dot. This doesn’t matter since it is on the back side of the block. However, if I had pressed the seams the other way you would be able to see the darker fabric shadow on the front of the block.
And that is it.
Rail fence blocks are easy!
I made this quilt in an afternoon.
It is made up of 30 Rail Fence Blocks measuring 9.25″x 9.25″ along with a 9″ strip of white running down one side.
It’s not huge but makes for a good lap quilt/throw.
Like I said in the beginning Rail Fence Quilt Blocks can be made with 3, 4, or 5 different strips and can be made in any size you would like. If you are attempting to make a Rail Fence Quilt Block and need help figuring out measurements shoot us an email and we would be happy to help you out!
-liZ
*The fabric used for this quilt is called Kyoto. It was designed by Amy Barickman for RJR fabrics and is available in stores now!
