Batik Split Rail Fence Quilt
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.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 72½ x 88½. I washed it in warm water and dried it 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 72″ by 88″.
- Make 99 blocks for this size of quilt
Update: I had someone ask how much yardage it would take to make this quilt using just 4 different fabrics so I went to my Electric Quilt 8 software and quickly made up this quilt.
You could easily make this quilt smaller or larger. Here is a better diagram of the quilt for you.
Yardage for 4 colors
You will need 1 3/4 yards of each fabric for the Split Rail Fence quilt top. You’ll also need yardage for the binding and backing.
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 – 1 3/4 yards
- Teal – 1 3/4 yards
- Plum – 1 3/4 yards
- Pink – 1 3/4 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 biased 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 fabrics throughout. This would look completely different using scraps from your stash.
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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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Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns.
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Hello Connie Dear:
I do adore your batik fabrics and this Split Rail is lovely. Our weather here has been triple digits forever…until today. Overcast with clouds and a cool breeze. No rain forecasted for us though. Hope you are feeling the Fall into Autumn atmosphere.
Hugs, sherry of createology
I love the colours you have used. Planning on making this rail fence-I need to use some of my batiks that I have been hoarding. My favourite pattern that I made from you is The Chinese Forget Me Nots. Soon be time for me to hang it again. Thank you for all your posts and ideas.
I love the pattern and using up my left over batik strips. I am sad to say I have not made a sent in my batik scraps. I will post picture when I finish it. Thanks for all your tutorials.
Connie I just finished this quilt top in January/February 2022. It turned out very nice and pretty. It was fun and a joy to do. I’d like to share my quilt, but I have not been able to get the gadget to work. I still have to quilt it, however. Thanks for all the loveliness your share.
Adorei, obrigada
Connie, your talents are amazing. Not just the rail fence, but how to use left over
Blocks and scrapes. Linda
I’ve never made a split rail fence. Yours is beautiful!
Magnifique ! Ça donne envie de se blottir ! Les tissus sont très beaux !
Merci pour le tuto !
I have never made a split rail quilt. But this one, is very dynamic. A knock-out. I will have to make this my first Split rail quilt. Love the variety!!!! Thanks
Красивая подборка цвета ! ))
I love the way it looks different in every photo! So versatile. I think this will be perfect for the next dog rescue auction. I have some dog print fabric that will be perfect mixed with other fabrics. Thanks for always coming up with great ideas.
I did make this and thanks for the pattern. I also put some “show off” blocks every so often in a reverse dye batik in place of the strips – used fabric from one of the shops in Amana. It’s going to be a wedding gift. And yes I did make one for the auction. Thanks I really enjoyed the versatility and speed of this pattern.
Your talent, creativity and generosity at very much appreciated, Connie :)).
It is a lovely quilt. I have not made a split rail fence quilt. My sister-in-law made it for her first quilt. I made a log cabin quilt for my first quilt.
I have a question for you, Connie …
I love the Batik Split Rail Fence quilt and intend to make this during the remainder of 2021.
I note that you make your quilts then wash and dry them.
What is the difference between your method and washing the fabrics prior to making a quilt?
I appreciate all the help you provide with your excellent tutorials and amazing photos of your work.
You can do it either way, I like to wash my quilt after it is done so I can remove the sizing in the batting and also get that crinkly look.
Looks beautiful with a great explanation.
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.
Thanks Phyllis!
its amazing, i have put it on my todo list thank u
Thanks Christine!
Good to read your message. You make me feel so much better about aging. I’m behind you by 8 years but sometimes!!!
YUM! Can't wait for the tutorial!
I think it turned out great.
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!
Very pretty. It looks like it would be nice to snuggle under in the winter.
Great way to use batiks from your stash.
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.
Quilt is fantabulous Connie. If you still don't like it I'd be happy to adopt it! Lol
Looking forward to your tut.
This quilt is beautiful, Connie. I love batiks. And it's a good size, too.
Very nice pictures. Your quilt is so pretty Connie.
So pretty Connie, I love all of the different colors. Great photos along the river.
It is another success! Those colours work so well together!!!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
Yay for a UFO Finish! Such a pretty one too… it must be stunning to see all of those batik beauties up close.
How pretty! I'm glad you decided to finish it.
You always do such a wonderful job with batiks and the photos are just a delightful setting.
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..
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
This is beautiful! Stippling is the perfect choice for a top like this, adds texture without detracting from the pattern.
looks great!!
So many wonderful fabrics!
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!