Strips & logs · Beginner

Rail Fence quilt block

Three strips sewn side by side. Turn every other block for a zigzag.

Rail Fence: main, background and accent. A 3 × 3 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Accent	1 rectangle	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	9 1/2" × 3 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	9 1/2" × 3 1/2"	–
Accent	1 rectangle	9 1/2" × 3 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	12 1/2" × 4 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	12 1/2" × 4 1/2"	–
Accent	1 rectangle	12 1/2" × 4 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	15 1/2" × 5 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	15 1/2" × 5 1/2"	–
Accent	1 rectangle	15 1/2" × 5 1/2"	–

Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 3 × 3 grid, and each cell finishes at 5". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Accent	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	2 × 3 (6)	36" × 51"	5/8 yd	5/8 yd	5/8 yd	1 yd	3 1/2 yd
Lap	3 × 4 (12)	51" × 66"	1 1/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Throw	4 × 4 (16)	66" × 66"	1 3/8 yd	1 3/8 yd	1 3/8 yd	1 3/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Twin	4 × 6 (24)	66" × 96"	2 1/8 yd	2 1/8 yd	2 1/8 yd	1 1/2 yd	6 yd
Queen	6 × 6 (36)	96" × 96"	3 1/8 yd	3 1/8 yd	3 1/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	8 3/4 yd
King	7 × 7 (49)	111" × 111"	4 1/4 yd	4 1/4 yd	4 1/4 yd	2 1/8 yd	10 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

A throw quilt of 15" Rail Fence blocks in each setting.

Setting	Blocks	Finished size	Extra fabric
Side by side	16	66" × 66"	–
With sashing	12	55" × 72"	Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks	8 pieced + 8 plain	66" × 66"	Plain blocks 2 yd
On point	13	69 3/4" × 69 3/4"	Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)

2. Block

3. Quilt size

4. Block size

5. Setting

Border

Fabric	Yardage	Cut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

How many fabrics does a Rail Fence block need?

Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 15 inch Rail Fence?

1 main rectangle at 15 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 1 background rectangle at 15 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 1 accent rectangle at 15 1/2" × 5 1/2".

How many Rail Fence blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

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