Make a fence rail block any size
Rail fence quilt blocks are popular because they are quick, easy and versatile. They are also easy to adapt to any size with little or no math.
See it All
Below you will find:
- video tutorial
- examples of different sized rail fence blocks
Video
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Examples
Rail fence blocks can be made with different numbers of fabrics, different widths of strips and any size of block.
Four colour block
This block is 4″ square and is made in the traditional manner.
Sew together four 1-1/2″ strips, then cut those strips into 4-1/2″ squares.
If your seam allowance is not exact, it is easy to compensate for that. However wide your strip set is, make that the size for your squares.
Scrappy blocks
Rail fence is perfect for scrappy blocks.
For this block, I just cut scraps 8-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ and sewed them together in groups of four, arranging from light to dark.
Even though each block is different, they work nicely together. The different fabrics give interest to the quilt design.
Scrappy blocks can be used in any block layout you like.
Different width strips
There is no reason that strips all have to be the same width in rail fence blocks.
This block has a wider strip in the middle. That gives it a different look.
Layouts
Rail fence blocks can be used in a few different layouts.
Have fun playing with your blocks and seeing what you like.
For more inspiration, check out my Rail Fence Quilt Workbook.
It contains many sample quilt diagrams for inspiration and colouring pages for you to design your own.
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