Make a Railfence Variation Quilt Block

Today we will be making the 2nd block of our sampler  – a Railfence Variation.

Last year we made a Railfence block using three strips and today we  are going to make a Railfence Variation using two strips.

BLOCK 2 – Rail Fence Variation

What you need:

Dark:  5×5″ squares

Light:  5×5″ squares

Let’s Sew:

1.   Take the light squares and fold in half and finger press or draw a line down the centre.
2.   Place the light square and a dark square, right sides together and sew a scant 1/4″ either side of the centre line. (better too scant than not enough)
3.   Cut along the line between the two rows of stitching.

4.  You now have a nice pile of rectangles!  Take to the pressing board or ironing board and press toward the dark.

Nanny tip:  If you are not confident with your measuring and cutting try this – I have put a strip of masking tape along the 2.25″ line.  Why 2.25″?  This is half of 4.5″ and we are going to trim our squares to 4.5″

5  Place the 2.25″ side of your rule on the dark side and you will notice how the tape butts up against the seam line.

6.  Trim the squares – made easy with a 4.5″ rule, but the same process for any size rule.

7.  If you are using for example, a 6.5″ rule,  place the rule with the 4.5″ line along the bottom and the tape running along the seam.

8.  Trim the right hand side and along the top

9.  Turn it around, check that you have the 4.5″ mark both ways on the corner (see pen) and the tape running along the seam

10.  Trim the right hand side

11.  Lay out your squares following the photo – you will have 1 square left over.

12.  Complete your 9 patch.

I hope you enjoyed the measuring and trimming – both are really important skills in quilting!

Until next time

Nanny xx