Tricia's Favorite Block Tutorials -- Block 4 RAIL FENCE

If you missed the first 3 blocks in my Favorite Block Tutorial series, here they are:

Block 1 -- Shoofly

Block 2 -- Courthouse Steps

Block 3 -- Flying Geese

Now that you're all caught up, let's make Block 4 -- RAIL FENCE.  Rail Fence was one of the first quilt blocks that I ever made.  Mine only had 3 strips whereas this block has 4 strips in each section.

As you know, I like to add a bit of Quilt History to my Block Tutorial posts.  Have you ever wondered where the names for quilt blocks came from?  I have always found this subject fascinating.  Blocks were named for people, special events, political figures and events, common everyday things and activities -- just about anything you can imagine! 

Have you ever noticed that quilt blocks can have a lot of different names, though?  I find that even more fascinating because people in different places were creating the same quilt blocks and calling them something different, based on their own experiences. When quilt block names were published in magazines and newspaper, even more names were added to the list.  For example, look at the Churn Dash block.  It is also known as Monkey Wrench, Puss in the Corner, Love Knot, Hole in the Barn Door, Sherman's March, Indian Hammer, Fisherman's Reel, and several other names.

If you find this as interesting as me, you might want to check out Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.  It is an amazing resource with thousands of pieced quilt blocks, their names, and even the publications they appeared in.  It can be hard to find, so if you are an Electric Quilt user, you should invest in BlockBase, which is a digital version of Barbara Brackman's book.  BlockBase doesn't include all the blocks in the book, but it does have a great selection.

Sew, let's get started on Block #4 -- Rail Fence.

 For a 12" finished block, you will need the following:

4 background rectangles 2" x 6 1/2"
4 light rectangles 2" x 6 1/2"
4 medium rectangles 2" x 6 1/2"
4 dark rectangles 2" x 6 1/2"

(For this block I chose to go with a monochromatic color scheme, but you can make this block as scrappy as you want because anything goes.)

1.  Sew a background, light, medium, and dark 2" x 6 1/2" strip together.  Make 4 units.

2.  Sew the 4 units together into a 4 Patch block, turning units as shown.

And that's it!  This a great beginner block, but it has a lot of possibilities for more experienced quilters, too.

 

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

 

 

A Special Quilt of Valor and a FREE QUILT PATTERN

 

Have you heard of Quilts of Valor before? 

Maybe you've even made a quilt and donated it?  

My quilt guild, Free Spirit Quilt Guild (FSQG) got involved with our local QOV chapter in 2017.  Each year we do some kind of community service project and QOV was that year's choice, we were so inspired by the project that we have our own chapter now and it is going strong!

I was all excited to participate last year because many of my family members/friends have served in the military, including my grandpa, Joseph Washick, who served in WWII in the army.  I even submitted a veteran's name (my friend, Ruth's husband, Pat, who served in Vietnam).  Pat was one of the first group of quilt recipients that my guild participated in.

Being all gung ho about QOV, I immediately began my first QOV quilt to donate.  Then I got sick last year, had multiple surgeries, and struggled with complications for the next 12 months.  ARGH!  I went into what I call "emergency quilting" mode, which basically meant that I only quilted when I had to (had a quilt with a deadline).

I am thrilled to say that I am finally on the homestretch to finishing my QOV  from last year.  I just need to hand-sew little bit more binding.

 Recently, I had an amazing experience with my QOV.   The Moving Wall was set up in the park in my local town.  I had the brilliant idea to take my quilt with me to see The Moving Wall.  I asked permission to photograph my quilt with The Wall.  Two very kind veteran volunteers helped me, I wish I would have thought to get their names.

Here are the directions to make my Triple Rail Fence quilt for QOV.  

Maybe you'll make one and donate it to your local QOV chapter.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________

 Patriotic Rail Fence Quilt

By Tricia Maloney

63" x 81"

SHOPPING LIST

1 7/8 yard Red Fabric

1 7/8 yard White Fabric

1 7/8 yard Blue Fabric

5/8 yard fabric for binding

Twin-sized batting

5 yards fabric for backing

**You can totally use your stash for this quilt, just use an assortment of reds, whites, and blues.**

CUTTING

Red Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Light Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Blue Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Binding Fabric:  Cut 8 strips 2 1/2" x the width of fabric (WOF)

MAKING THE BLOCKS

1.  Sew a blue, a white, and a red 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangle together into a Rail Fence block.  Make 72 blocks. The blocks will be 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" (unfinished).

MAKING THE QUILT

2.  Sew 7 blocks together, turning every other block as shown.  Make 5 rows (Row 1).

 

3.  Sew 7 blocks together, turning every other block as shown.  Make 4 rows (Row 2).

4.  Sew the rows together, alternating placement (Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1).

 5.  Layer your quilt top with your batting and backing.  Quilt the layers together.  Bind your quilt.

6.  Give your quilt to a Veteran!

Please feel free to share this pattern with your Quilt Guild or sewing group.  

It goes together fast, is a great size for a QOV quilt, and is suitable for a beginner.

Quilt On!

On the 1st Day of Christmas.......

On the 1st Day of Christmas, I Give to Thee....

CHARITY

 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines charity as:

1.  Generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; aid given to those in need; an institution engaged in relief of the poor; public provision for the relief of the needy.

2.  Benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity.

3.  A gift for public benevolent purposes.

4.  Lenient judgment of others.

What does charity mean to you?

For me, charity means supporting my community and helping others.  

There are a lot of different ways to be charitable.  We can share our time by volunteering.  We can share our resources by making monetary donations or donations of goods and services.  The most wonderful thing about being charitable is that there isn't just one way to do it and you can do charitable deeds all year long.

FREE QUILT PATTERN

For my quilt design for Charity, I chose the humble four patch.  I am including the instructions to make this quilt because it would make up fast and you could donate the finished quilt to your favorite charity.

This quilt will finish at 72" x 72".

Here's how to make this simple quilt:

You will need 72 print 5" squares and 72 background 5" squares.  (This is a wonderful quilt project to use up a lot of different fabrics, just divide them into dark fabrics for the print squares and light fabrics for the background squares.  You can also use multiple charm packs if you want or make it a two color quilt as I did here.)

Make 36 Four Patch blocks.

Cut 60 sashing strips 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" and 25 sashing squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".

Sew 6 blocks together with 5 sashing strips in between the blocks.  Please note how I turned the blocks so that there will be a secondary design when everything is sewn together.  Make 6 rows.

Sew  6 sashing strips end to end with 5 sashing squares.  Make 5 rows.

Sew rows together, alternating block rows with sashing rows.

Measure your quilt top and cut borders 4 1/2" wide.

 

Finish your quilt by layering it with batting and backing.  Quilt or tie the layers together.  Attach a binding.  Donate to your favorite charity.

My challenge to you........do at least one charitable thing before Christmas.