Rail Fence Block Tutorial
The rail fence block is probably the easiest block ever invented. With the right combination of fabric, it has wonderful visual interest and is very satisfying to make.
You can choose to use as many strips as you’d like for your Rail Fence Block. Just be sure to make it square (i.e., once you’ve sewn your strips together, the width and height should be the same). In its most traditional form, it has three strips.
My favorite size Three-Patch Rail Fence block to make is the 6” block, because I can just use a pre-cut jelly roll! (You know I love to make life easy.)
| Patch | 3” | 6” | 9” | 12” | 15” |
| A | 1 ½” x 3 ½” | 2 ½” x 6 ½” | 3 ½” x 9 ½” | 4 ½” x 12 ½” | 5 ½” x 15 ½” |
| B | 1 ½” x 3 ½” | 2 ½” x 6 ½” | 3 ½” x 9 ½” | 4 ½” x 12 ½” | 5 ½” x 15 ½” |
| C | 1 ½” x 3 ½” | 2 ½” x 6 ½” | 3 ½” x 9 ½” | 4 ½” x 12 ½” | 5 ½” x 15 ½” |
A Pre-Cut Jelly Roll typically includes forty 2.5” x 45” strips. With just three jelly roll strips, you can make 6 blocks!
36 blocks, using just one jelly roll, makes a lovely little baby quilt that measures 36” x 36”.
For a great variation on the idea of a Rail Fence block, check out this tutorial by Cheryl at Meadowmist Designs.
Here’s the adorable quilt her Mini Rail Fence Block makes:
2 Comments
Such a simple block. I had almost forgotten the versatility. Thanks for sharing.
My first quilt was a rail fence made using templates cut from a cereal box. It was tied with yarn. What a memory!