Simple Rail Fence quilt block tutorial

Rail fence is an easy and versatile traditional quilt pattern, and this block is a fun variation of it.

This block can be used either by itself or with other blocks to make a quilt. It is part of the Nine Patch Sampler quilt.

This is a two colour block, and it looks great either with just two fabrics or as a scrappy block.

Tutorial

Make your own simple rail fence blocks with two colours of fabric.

Fabric requirements

For a 12” block, you will need 2-1/2” strips of light and dark fabric. If you are strip piecing (as in the video), you will sew with these strips.

For a scrappy version, you will need to cut pieces 2-1/2” x 4-1/2”. The block requires nine light and nine dark pieces.

For a 9” block, the pieces will be 2” x 3-1/2” and for a 6” block the pieces will be 1-1/2” x 2-1/2”. Construction is the same.

Making the pieces

Join the rectangles together in pairs of one light and one dark using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Press all the pieces with the seam to one side under the darker fabric.

Assembling the block

Arrange the pieces so that there is a design of zig zag or stair steps.

It is sometimes helpful to take a picture to make sure they are the right orientation. Keep double checking as you join them as it is easy to get things turned around.

Join the squares together in the same way as the basic nine patch block. 

First make rows of three squares, then sew the three rows together.

The block is complete!

This is a block that looks more complicated than it is and looks great in different colour schemes.

Important note!

If you want to make a quilt with just this block and no sashing, you will need to make two different versions to ensure that the stepping design goes down the whole quilt.

Alternate these two blocks on the quilt.

Rail fence is an easy block to make in any size and with any number of fabrics. See this tutorial for inspiration.

Rail fence variations

Once you know the basic rail fence design, it is easy to customize to your own size and number of fabrics.

Check out how to make a rail fence block any size.

Quilts with simple rail fence blocks

Here is some inspiration for making a quilt with rail fence blocks.

There are a lot of layouts that you can use with rail fence blocks, and when you factor in all the variations of quilt blocks, the options are really endless.

Check out some layout options to use with rail fence blocks.

Have fun designing your own quilts with the Rail Fence Inspiration Workbook.

Be sure to #epidastudio when you share your projects on social media!