Design Wall Monday: Strip Pieced Rails and Chain

A couple of weeks ago I showed a Scrappy Rails and Chain quilt top that I made using 2-1/2” strips (post here).  I’m still trying to use up some fabric from that box of stuff I found and I thought that would be an easy quilt to make.  Since I had fat quarters it was easier to strip piece the quilt than to cut individual rectangles.  Be sure to check out what everyone has on their wall at Patchwork Times.

If you’d like to make one of these, here are the basic instructions.

Fabric Requirements
12 fat quarters
1-5/8 yards background fabric (includes enough for inner border)
5/8 yard binding fabric

Separate the fat quarters into two sets of six. 
From each fat quarter from one set of six cut one 8-1/2” and one 2-1/2” strip. 
From each fat quarter in the other set of six cut one 4-1/2” strip and one 6-1/2” strip. 
Save the leftovers from all the fat quarters.  Later this week I will show you another little project that will use them up!

From the background fabric, cut (14) 2-1/2” strips.  Cut each strip in half along the fold so you end up with (24) 2-1/2” x about 21” strips.  You will have a half strip of background left over.

Sewing:
Select an 8-1/2” strip and sew to a 2-1/2” background strip. Press toward the 8-1/2” strip.  Make six strip sets.

Cut each strip set into eight 2-1/2” segments.

I like to stack press the strip sets (see post here for stack pressing info), then cut three at a time with my favorite ruler—the June Tailor Shape Cut Plus.

Select a 6-1/2” strip and sew to a 2-1/2” background strip.  Select a 2-1/2” print strip and sew to the other side of the background strip.  Press both seams away from the background strip.  Make six strip sets.

Cut each strip set into eight 2-1/2” segments.

Select a 4-1/2” strip and sew to a 2-1/2” background strip. Select another 4-1/2” print strip and sew to the other side of the background strip. Press both seams away from the background strip. Make three strip sets.

Cut each strip set into eight 2-1/2” segments.

Lay out blocks as shown below.  Each block uses two segments from the first strip set, two from the second strip set and one from the third strip set.

Sew segments together to make a block.  Your block should measure 10-1/2” square at this point (10” finished).  Make 24 blocks.

To make piecing the blocks an even speedier process, I chain piece all the segments from strip set 1 to the segments from strip set 2.  These are the top and bottom pieces of the block. Then sew a segment from strip set 3 in the middle.  It’s so easy!!

Make sure all blocks are pieced the same way.  It’s easy to turn them and then the chain won’t go the correct way.
This is the layout I chose for my quilt—every other block is rotated 90 degrees.  You could also lay out your blocks so the chains all go in one direction diagonally.  Or in any way that strikes your fancy!

You do not have to add borders to this quilt but I did.  This is what I did for borders.
Inner border:  Cut six 2-1/2” strips (depending on the width of your fabric, you may only need 5 strips).  Sew strips together.  Measure length of quilt top through center and cut two borders this measurement.  Sew to both sides of the quilt top.  Press toward the border strip.  Measure width of quilt top through center and cut two borders this measurement.  Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
Outer border:  Cut six 4-1/2” strips.  Repeat steps from above to sew on outer border.

Quilt as desired and bind.  Your quilt should finish about 52” x 72”.

Here is my top:

My original quilt top that I made from strips is now on the frame being quilted and this bright one is all ready to go once that one is finished.  Maybe I’ll be able to show both completed later in the week.