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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

piecing, tutorial · May 6, 2013

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.

Bright RC-1
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.

Bright RC-2

Cut each strip set into eight 2-1/2” segments.
Bright RC-3

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.

Bright RC-5
Bright RC-6

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.

Bright RC-7

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

Bright RC-8

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.

Bright RC-9

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

Bright RC-10

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.

Bright RC-11

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

Bright RC-12

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!

Bright RC-13

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:

Bright RC-14

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.

Related Posts:

  • Friday Finish: Three Projects
    Friday Finish: Three Projects
  • Introduction to The Celebrate Quilt
    Introduction to The Celebrate Quilt
  • Friday Finish: Rectangle Wrangle
    Friday Finish: Rectangle Wrangle
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    Tuesday Tip: Leftover Batting
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Comments

  1. Julie in GA says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    Great looking quilt! Thanks for the pattern.

  2. Rhonda says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Great tutorial and wonderfully colorful quilt. I love it!!

  3. Plum Cox says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Wow! I came over to say what a lovely colourful quilt top you had, and found a tute! What a bonus – thank you for sharing!

  4. Chris says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Love the quilt.

  5. Cheryl says

    May 6, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    I need to make one of these…great colors and a neat technique. I do Project Linus quilts and I love finding free patterns for fun kid quilts. Bookmarking your blog….thanks for the inspiration.

  6. Quilty Conscience says

    May 6, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    You are so generous! Like many I came to compliment you on your quilt and found this bonus! Thank you! I think I may be using the tutorial soon!

  7. Melinda says

    May 6, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    What a quick and easy quilt that doesn’t look easy. Great tutorial – thanks!

  8. Brenda says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    very clever

  9. Laura says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    So pretty! I love the happy colors!

  10. desertskyquilts says

    May 7, 2013 at 12:18 am

    Thanks, Rhonda. Looks like a fast project for American Heros or a sudden baby quilt.

  11. Alycia says

    May 7, 2013 at 4:27 am

    What a great quilt! I may have to try this!! thanks!

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