Strips & logs · Beginner

Rail Fence Pinwheel quilt block

Four three-strip units, each turned a quarter turn from the last, so the same fabric runs around the outside of the block.

Rail Fence Pinwheel: main, background and accent. A 6 × 6 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	4 rectangles	3 1/2" × 1 1/2"	–
Background	4 rectangles	3 1/2" × 1 1/2"	–
Accent	4 rectangles	3 1/2" × 1 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	4 rectangles	5" × 2"	–
Background	4 rectangles	5" × 2"	–
Accent	4 rectangles	5" × 2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	4 rectangles	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Background	4 rectangles	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Accent	4 rectangles	6 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	4 rectangles	8" × 3"	–
Background	4 rectangles	8" × 3"	–
Accent	4 rectangles	8" × 3"	–

Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
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.
Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Accent	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	2 × 3 (6)	36" × 51"	1/2 yd	1/2 yd	1/2 yd	1 yd	3 1/2 yd
Lap	3 × 4 (12)	51" × 66"	1 yd	1 yd	1 yd	1 1/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Throw	4 × 4 (16)	66" × 66"	1 1/4 yd	1 1/4 yd	1 1/4 yd	1 3/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Twin	4 × 6 (24)	66" × 96"	1 7/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	1 1/2 yd	6 yd
Queen	6 × 6 (36)	96" × 96"	2 3/4 yd	2 3/4 yd	2 3/4 yd	1 7/8 yd	8 3/4 yd
King	7 × 7 (49)	111" × 111"	3 3/4 yd	3 3/4 yd	3 3/4 yd	2 1/8 yd	10 yd

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

A throw quilt of 15" Rail Fence Pinwheel blocks in each setting.

Setting	Blocks	Finished size	Extra fabric
Side by side	16	66" × 66"	–
With sashing	12	55" × 72"	Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks	8 pieced + 8 plain	66" × 66"	Plain blocks 2 yd
On point	13	69 3/4" × 69 3/4"	Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)

2. Block

3. Quilt size

4. Block size

5. Setting

Border

Fabric	Yardage	Cut

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

How many fabrics does a Rail Fence Pinwheel block need?

Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 15 inch Rail Fence Pinwheel?

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

How many Rail Fence Pinwheel blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

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