SeeMyQuilt
Strips & logs · Beginner · 15" finished

15 inch Rail Fence, Four Units quilt block

Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Rail Fence, Four Units block that finishes at 15". The block is a 6 × 6 grid and each cell finishes at 2 1/2".

Finished block 15" × 15". Unfinished 15 1/2" × 15 1/2".

Cutting chart for one block

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 rectangles8" × 3"–
Background4 rectangles8" × 3"–
Accent4 rectangles8" × 3"–

How to piece it

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 6 × 6 grid, and each cell finishes at 2 1/2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a quilt of 15" Rail Fence, Four Units blocks

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 yd1 yd1 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1 1/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"3 3/4 yd3 3/4 yd3 3/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

What a lap quilt looks like

3 × 4 blocks, 51" × 66" with border.

This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.

6" Rail Fence, Four Units9" Rail Fence, Four Units12" Rail Fence, Four UnitsAll Rail Fence, Four Units sizes

See it in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

What do I cut for a 15 inch Rail Fence, Four Units block?

4 main rectangles at 8" × 3"; 4 background rectangles at 8" × 3"; 4 accent rectangles at 8" × 3".

What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?

15 1/2" square. It finishes at 15" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.

How much fabric for a throw quilt of 15 inch Rail Fence, Four Units blocks?

16 blocks make a 66" × 66" quilt. Buy 1 1/4 yd of main, 1 1/4 yd of background, 1 1/4 yd of accent and 1 3/8 yd of border & binding, plus 4 1/4 yd for the backing.