Have you ever made a Split Rail Fence quilt? It is one of the easiest quilt designs to make and looks different every time depending on the fabrics you use.
I finished up my batik Split Rail Fence quilt which was a old, old UFO (unfinished quilt). I think I started it about 2 years ago and for some reason decided I wasn’t too crazy about it and stuck it away.
This post was originally posted in October of 2013 and has been updated.
A printable of this post is available in my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).
I had enough blocks done to make a baby quilt but…..I also had a pile of pieces already cut for more blocks so I decided to make it bigger.
The finished size after washing and drying is 70 x 86, it was originally 74 x 90. I washed it in warm water and dried in the dryer, none of the fabrics had been washed before. I used Warm & Natural batting and the backing was an oldie from my stash.
Split Rail Block
A Split Rail quilt is perfect for using up jelly rolls or 2½” strips of fabrics in your stash.
Each block consists of three medium to dark fabrics and one light fabric.
Sew the four 2½” strips together with the light one on one end. Press your strips, they should measure 8½-inches wide. Sub-cut them into squares that are 8½-inch by 8½-inch.
You will rotate every other block in your rows to create the split rail pattern.
There is no yardage for this as I used batiks that were in my stash.
Quilt blocks
There are eleven rows of nine blocks in the quilt which gave me a quilt that was 74 by 90.
- Make 99 blocks for this size of quilt
You could easily make this quilt smaller or larger. Here is a better diagram of the quilt for you.
Download a PDF of this post from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).
Quilt in four colors
I haven’t included yardage for the scrap quilt but if you wanted to make this size of quilt using four different fabrics, here is the yardage for the quilt top.
- Cream – 2 yards
- Teal – 2 yards
- Plum – 2 yards
- Pink – 2 yards
The quilting is just a medium-sized stippling.
I guess you could say I have a lot of different batiks in my stash…..I had a layer cake of batiks that were in off white colors that were used in this so there is a variety of light pieces.
It is good to see another old piece of fabric used up on the back to make room for new.
Something else you can do with this block is turn it into the Hidden Wells block.
This diagram makes it a little easier to see the sections you would cut.
This diagram gives you an idea of how you would piece the sections back together. One thing to be very careful of is how you handle the pieces.
You will have a lot of bias edges that will stretch. Be sure to read my Hidden Wells block tutorial for more information.
Take a look at how you could put the blocks together for a quilt. For this example, I am using the same four fabric throughout. This would look completely different using scraps from your stash.
Please note this post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please see full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I used batiks on my Split Rail Fence quilt but you could also use any quilt fabrics that you have in your stash or purchase a jelly roll of 2½” strips.
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Diane Reeves
Looks beautiful with a great explanation.
phyllis tomchuk
Connie that is the prettiest rail fence quilt I have ever seen. Love all the colors , the way you have them arranged. Nice warm and cool colors, looks quick to sew up. My kind of quilting. I am also 81 years, Not saying old, just have a lot of miles on my body. Not many wrinkles, but not saying they didnt slide down the body further, somewhere, thank god for relaxed fitting cloths. huh. Keep up the beautiful work. Keep us in stitches and patches. Glad I found your site.
Connie Kresin
Thanks Phyllis!
Christine Niewold
its amazing, i have put it on my todo list thank u
Connie Kresin
Thanks Christine!
Rose M Post
Good to read your message. You make me feel so much better about aging. I’m behind you by 8 years but sometimes!!!
Kevin the Quilter
YUM! Can't wait for the tutorial!
Michele
I think it turned out great.
Kati from Kati's Quilting
It's a stunning quilt Connie, I love batiks! I have no idea why you decided to shove it on the side, but surely glad you took it out and finished it!
Pat
Very pretty. It looks like it would be nice to snuggle under in the winter.
Siouxzq64@gmail.com
Great way to use batiks from your stash.
Lori
wow this is lovely. I love the colors you put together. Cant wait for the tutorial. I can visualize this I so many things and so many colors. Thanks for sharing.
Cyn
Quilt is fantabulous Connie. If you still don't like it I'd be happy to adopt it! Lol
Looking forward to your tut.
Sheila
This quilt is beautiful, Connie. I love batiks. And it's a good size, too.
Marla's Crafts
Very nice pictures. Your quilt is so pretty Connie.
Sheila
So pretty Connie, I love all of the different colors. Great photos along the river.
Esther F.
It is another success! Those colours work so well together!!!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
Deb@asimplelifequilts
Yay for a UFO Finish! Such a pretty one too… it must be stunning to see all of those batik beauties up close.
Kaelyn Angelfoot
How pretty! I'm glad you decided to finish it.
Vroomans' Quilts
You always do such a wonderful job with batiks and the photos are just a delightful setting.
Anna McCurdy
It looks gorgeous Connie- I love batiks- they have such great designs, movement, texture not to mention great colors. Your split rail is a very pretty design for these fabrics.. I love Sunday inspiration… Thanks for sharing..
Teje Karjalainen
Hi Connie! I love this quilt! All the fabrics are so beautiful and the loght colours add great light there. Did you have a plan in which order to use the fabrics or sew them just randomly? Light colours are in order but the others. x Teje
katyquilts
This is beautiful! Stippling is the perfect choice for a top like this, adds texture without detracting from the pattern.
beaquilter
looks great!!
BillieBee (billiemick)
So many wonderful fabrics!
Thearica
yummy yummy! I am a fan of the split rail fence! There are so many ways to put these blocks together! Love how you have the white zigzag traveling throughout your quilt!