How to Make a Simple Rail Fence Quilt Block ~Tutorial

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Our second block in our Sampler Quilt is going to be another one of the simplest pieced quilt blocks – the basic Rail Fence block. As I said in our Sampler Quilt Introductory post, this series is a beginning quilting series, designed as the perfect project for first-time quilters. However, just because this is meant for a beginning quilter, it doesn’t mean quilters of all skill levels can’t join in!

My plan in all of this is to build a library of free quilt tutorials with easy blocks, and next year, start another series with more difficult ones, so that we can all gain new skills.

Let’s Talk Rail Fence Blocks!

The first quilt I ever made was a rail fence quilt! And then I made another one… and then I made a third one with Christmas fabric!

This is a classic block that has been loved by quilters for generations because it’s easy to sew, beginner-friendly, and perfect for using up scraps.

This basic block is great for quilters of any skill level, because depending on the rail fence pattern and layout of the blocks, each rail fence quilt can be made unique.

What Is a Rail Fence Quilt Block?

The rail fence block is made from strips of fabric sewn together and then arranged in alternating directions to create the appearance of wooden fence rails crossing each other.

I frequently get mixed up and call this block or quilt a fence rail one…. I am easily muddled, lol!

The beauty of this block lies in its simplicity. While it looks interesting and dynamic, it features straight lines, requiring only straight seams and basic cutting skills, making it an excellent project for new quilters.

Rail fence blocks can be made with just two fabrics or dozens of different scraps, depending on the look you’re hoping to achieve. For this sampler quilt, we will only be using two fabrics. The three I made when I just started quilting were done with three fabrics.

Using a jelly roll would make a beautiful scrappy finished quilt.

The History of the Rail Fence Block

Like many traditional quilt blocks, the exact origins of the rail fence design are difficult to trace. The block became popular in America during the nineteenth century when quilts often reflected everyday life on the farm.

Wooden rail fences were a familiar sight in the countryside, and the rail fence block is believed to have been inspired by these simple wooden structures.

Over time, the block became a staple in scrap quilting because it allowed quilters to use small pieces of fabric efficiently while creating a visually appealing design.

Two Ways to Make a Rail Fence Block

There are two main ways to make rail fence quilt blocks.  I can’t say that one is an easier way than another; they are just different techniques and depend on what you have on hand and the project you are making

Strip method

One way is to use strips. Make a strip set by sewing multiple strips together, pressing towards the darker fabrics, and then cross-cutting. You can then arrange the strip units in a way to form the “rails”, in a sort of zigzag formation.

This is a wonderful way to use up leftover jelly roll strips or other fabric strips you may have left from other projects. The size, width, and number of strips will determine how many blocks you will get out of each grouping, resulting in larger and smaller blocks.

Simple strip piecing is a quick way to make an easy quilt, and a fun way to make the simple rail fence.

Using Rectangles

The other method is to simply use rectangles and sew them together as a group. This is the method we will be using today.

This method is perfect for using up leftover rectangles from other projects, jelly rolls, and any small scraps you might have lying around.

Ok, enough chatter, let’s get started on making a rail fence quilt block!

Rail Fence Quilt Block Tutorial

Fabric Requirements for a Single Block – Twelve and a Half Inch Block Unfinished

Fabric

• background fabric
• one scrap of feature fabric

These are the fabrics I have chosen for this block:

Cutting Instructions

From the background fabric:

• Cut 4 (four) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles

From the scrap feature fabric:

• Cut 4 (four) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles

for a total of 8 (eight) rectangles:

Step 1

To start with, we are going to sew the rectangles together in pairs, placing a background rectangle right side together with a feature rectangle, and sewing them on the long edges with a quarter-inch seam allowance:

Step 2

Take the pairs to the ironing board and set the seams. Then press the seams towards the dark side:

Step 3

Now take the pairs and arrange them in the following way, next to your sewing machine:

You can see we now have another four-patch like last time! It’s just that each patch is two pieces of fabric sewn together!

Step 4

We are now going to sew the block together in the same way as we did the four-patch. Take the two top pairs, place them right sides together as shown in the picture below, and sew:

Bring it back to the cutting board and set it back in place to make sure everything is in the right position:

Step 5

Now sew the bottom two pairs together and bring them back to the cutting board to place them in the correct position.

Step 6

Before we sew the two rows together, we need to take them to the ironing board. Again, we need to set the seams first, then we press the seams in opposite directions. I pressed my seam on the top row towards the dark strip and on the bottom row towards the background fabric.

Bring them back to the cutting board – this is what it will look like from the back:

Place them back in the right positions for the next step.

Step 7

Time to sew the rows together.

Flip the top row down on top of the bottom row. As we did with the first block, we are going to pin them, starting with matching up the centers. With the seams pressed in opposite directions, they should nest together nicely:

You can tell if you have “nested” them properly if you go over the join with your thumb and finger, and it is nice and smooth – no bumps!

Pin!

I like to pin on an angle with one half of the pin in the left seam and the other half in the right seam, like this:

Pin at each end and then add a few more in the middle…

Sew the rows together using a quarter-inch seam allowance.

Step 9

Now we need to take it back to the ironing board and set that center seam that we just sewed.

Press the seam towards the side with the darkest amount of fabric:

This is how it will look from the back:

All Done

And here is the finished block on the design wall, all done!

The block should measure 12 1/2″.

Here it is next to our first block:

Printable Tutorial Style Pattern

You can purchase a printer-friendly and ad-free version of this tutorial for a small price here:

Rail Fence Quilt Block ~ A Tutorial Style Pattern ~

Christmas Version

Here is a pic of the Christmas one I made on YouTube using Lori Holt’s Home Town Holiday Fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop:

and both Christmas ones on the design wall:

and one final pic of all of them on the design wall with plenty of room for the next ones….

….. can’t wait till we start running out of space!

YouTube Video

You can watch the video tutorial here if you like:

Have you made any rail fence quilts?

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