Strips & logs · Beginner

Two-Rail Fence quilt block

Two strips sewn side by side. Turn every other block to build stairs or a basket weave.

Two-Rail Fence: main and background. A 2 × 2 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	4 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	4 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	6 1/2" × 3 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	6 1/2" × 3 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	8 1/2" × 4 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	8 1/2" × 4 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	1 rectangle	12 1/2" × 6 1/2"	–
Background	1 rectangle	12 1/2" × 6 1/2"	–

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 2 × 2 grid, and each cell finishes at 6". 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 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Two-Rail Fence quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	3 × 4 (12)	42" × 54"	7/8 yd	7/8 yd	1 yd	3 1/2 yd
Lap	4 × 5 (20)	54" × 66"	1 1/2 yd	1 1/2 yd	1 1/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Throw	5 × 6 (30)	66" × 78"	2 yd	2 yd	1 3/8 yd	5 yd
Twin	6 × 8 (48)	78" × 102"	3 1/4 yd	3 1/4 yd	1 3/4 yd	9 1/4 yd
Queen	8 × 8 (64)	102" × 102"	4 3/8 yd	4 3/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	9 1/4 yd
King	9 × 9 (81)	114" × 114"	5 3/8 yd	5 3/8 yd	2 1/8 yd	10 1/4 yd

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

A throw quilt of 12" Two-Rail Fence blocks in each setting.

Setting	Blocks	Finished size	Extra fabric
Side by side	30	66" × 78"	–
With sashing	20	60" × 74"	Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks	15 pieced + 15 plain	66" × 78"	Plain blocks 2 yd
On point	18	57" × 74"	Setting triangles 1 1/2 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 Two-Rail Fence block need?

Two: main and background. 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 12 inch Two-Rail Fence?

1 main rectangle at 12 1/2" × 6 1/2"; 1 background rectangle at 12 1/2" × 6 1/2".

How many Two-Rail Fence blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

The app is in the works. Join the early list and help decide what goes in.