Rail Fence quilt block
Three strips of equal width sewn together and cut into squares. Turning every other block makes the zigzag.
The Rail Fence is pieced on a 3 × 3 grid, so a 12" block has 4" grid squares.
Cutting for 6", 7½", 9", 12" blocks
| Fabric | Pieces | Cut | 6" block | 7½" block | 9" block | 12" block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| main | Rectangles | 1 | 2½" × 6½" | 3" × 8" | 3½" × 9½" | 4½" × 12½" |
| background | Rectangles | 1 | 2½" × 6½" | 3" × 8" | 3½" × 9½" | 4½" × 12½" |
| accent | Rectangles | 1 | 2½" × 6½" | 3" × 8" | 3½" × 9½" | 4½" × 12½" |
Cut sizes include ¼" seam allowances.
How to sew a 12" Rail Fence block
Lay out the units as drawn and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams of each row the opposite way from the one before so they nest, then sew the rows together. The block measures 12" finished, 12½" with seam allowance.
Quilts made with the Rail Fence block
Rail Fence quilt pattern
Rail fence baby quilt pattern
Design a quilt with this block
Quiltspiration draws it in your own fabric and gives the cut list for any size.
