Free Rail Fence Quilt Pattern – Jelly Roll Quilt

let’s talk about rail fence quilts. They’re like the macaroni and cheese of quilting: classic, versatile, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re a beginner quilter testing the waters or an experienced quilter looking for a quick project, this rail fence quilt pattern is an easy pattern that’s as forgiving as it is fabulous.

Plus, it’s a great way to use up those jelly rolls or strips of fabric taking up space in your stash!

I’ve put together this tutorial to help you whip up a beautiful quilt top with step-by-step directions and some fun tips along the way.

We’ll explore different rail fence variations, play with fabric choices, and get those rail fence blocks pieced together faster than you can say “seam allowance.”

Let’s dive into the beauty of the rail fence design, perfect for quilters of all levels.

By using pre-cut jelly roll strips, we’ll make quilting even easier and showcase the variety of colors and prints available.

So, what’s a rail fence quilt? It’s a traditional pattern made by arranging long strips of fabric in a crisscrossing pattern to form “fences” or “rails” across the quilt top. Simple yet versatile, it’s a great choice for beginners and experienced quilters alike.

Grab your jelly roll strips, fire up your sewing machine, and let’s explore the endless possibilities of the rail fence quilt pattern. Whether you’re new to quilting or looking for your next project, you’ll find inspiration and joy in this timeless pattern. Let’s get started!

What’s a Rail Fence Quilt?

The classic rail fence pattern is all about arranging fabric strips into neat, crisscrossing rail fence units that form a dynamic design. It’s perfect for showing off complementary colors or turning a pile of scraps into a scrap quilt masterpiece. With endless rail fence quilt pattern designs, you can mix things up with split rail fence layouts or even toss in some half square triangles for a little twist.

This jelly roll rail fence quilt is quick to piece, budget-friendly, and works for any quilt size—from a cozy baby quilt to a massive king size project. Let’s break it down.

What is a rail fence quilt block

Rail Fence quilts are a classic patchwork design of blocks made from fabric strips arranged in a repeating pattern. 

How many jelly rolls for a rail fence quilt?

For this quilt, you’ll need one jelly roll. No additional fabric is needed.

What size quilt will 40 jelly roll strips make?

This quilt measures 54″ x 54″ I did not add a border, but feel free to do that to make it larger if you’d like.

Want the ad free pdf file?! Scroll to the bottom of the post for more details!

Materials Needed for the Jelly Roll Quilt:

Fabric Requirements

• 40 strips of fabric (2 1/2” x WOF) – Grab a jelly roll or cut your own strips from fat quarters or one-yard cuts of fabric.
• Optional: Coordinating binding and backing fabric if you want to upsize or add a border.

Basic Steps for Your Rail Fence Quilt

Step 1 – Cut your fabric into strips

No jelly roll? No problem. Slice up your stash into 2 1/2” long strips using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat. For an economically-priced pattern, raid your stash of light fabric and bold prints.

Use the SewTites quilt ruler to cut your strips

or cut your strips using the stripology ruler or June Tailor shape cut ruler

Step 2 – Divide the strips

Divide your fabric strips into sets of three.

Match complementary colors or go scrappy for much fun!

Sew the right sides together along the long edges to make identical strip sets. Press your seams to one side.

Step 3 – Place right sides together two strips

Grab two of the three strips and line them up along the selvage edge. You’ll also want to make sure you line up the long side as well (pin if needed) and sew along this long edge.

Step 4 – Place third strip and sew

Place the third strip on the top of the previous unit. Again, line up the selvedge side and the top edge. Stitch the strips together along the long side.

Step 5 – Press

Press your strip unit. It doesn’t really matter where you press the seams. They won’t line up with anything when sewing the top together, so you can press them to either side.

Step 6 – Cut the edge of the unit

Before you begin cutting the blocks, cut the side straight.

Step 7 – Line up the ruler

Line up your ruler along the side and bottom before cutting

Step 8 – Cut into squares

Trim the edges straight, then cut your strip sets into square blocks.

For this block size, aim for 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” to yield six rail fence blocks per strip set.

Using the ruler, cut into 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ blocks.

You’ll get 6 quilt blocks out of each of the strip units

Step 9 – Lay the blocks out

Time for the layout of the blocks!

Alternate between vertical blocks and horizontal ones to form the rail fence design. Experiment with different layouts to create unique patterns—diagonal stripes, chevrons, or the classic crisscross look.

Continue to lay the blocks out in 9 rows.

You’ll have 9 rows with each row having 9 quilt blocks.

Assemble the Quilt Top

Piece your blocks row by row.

Use your assembly diagram to ensure the size of quilt fits your goal, whether that’s a twin size quilt or a large queen size. Keep that 1/4-inch seam allowance consistent for a polished finish!

Quilt and Bind

Create your quilt sandwich—backing, batting, and top—and secure it with basting spray or pins.

A straight line quilting approach works perfectly with this design. Bind the edges using 2 1/2” strips and your favorite technique.

Free Rail Fence Quilt Pattern Video – Jelly Roll Quilt

If you want a larger quilt, then make more blocks using the same method.

This quilt is made only using a jelly roll. I didn’t add any additional fabric.

Rail Fence Quilt Tips

• Play with Color Values: Use light and dark fabric choices to create contrast and highlight the rail fence block pattern.
• Try Rail Fence Variations: Add a border, create a split rail fence effect, or mix in wide strips for visual interest.
• Chain Piecing for Efficiency: Save time by sewing rail fence blocks assembly-line style.

Tips for Making a Rail Fence Quilt Block:

1. Choose Your Fabric: Select a variety of fabric strips for your rail fence blocks. You can use jelly roll strips for convenience or cut your own strips from your fabric stash. Consider contrasting colors and prints for visual interest.
2. Precise Cutting: Accurate cutting is key to successful rail fence blocks. Use a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat to ensure your strips are uniform in width and length. Precision will result in neatly aligned blocks.
3. Mind Your Seam Allowance: Maintain a consistent seam allowance throughout the piecing process to ensure uniform block sizes. A 1/4-inch seam allowance is standard in quilting and helps maintain accuracy.
4. Pressing Matters: Press each seam carefully as you assemble your rail fence blocks. Press seams to one side or open, whichever method you prefer. Use a hot iron and steam to set seams and create crisp, flat blocks.
5. Alternate Fabric Placement: Experiment with different arrangements of fabric strips to create variation in your rail fence blocks. You can alternate light and dark strips, create diagonal patterns, or mix up the colors for a scrappy look.
6. Square Up Your Blocks: After piecing your rail fence blocks, trim them to ensure they are square and uniform in size. Use a square ruler to trim excess fabric and ensure straight edges for easier assembly.
7. Chain Piecing for Efficiency: Save time and thread by chain piecing your rail fence blocks. Sew multiple blocks in a continuous chain without cutting the thread between each block. This method streamlines the piecing process and reduces waste.
8. Stitch with Confidence: Sew with a steady, even pace to maintain accuracy and prevent stretching or distortion of the fabric. Take your time and focus on keeping your seams straight and consistent.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful rail fence quilt blocks with ease and confidence. Experiment with different fabrics and layouts to make each block uniquely yours.

Quilt Sizes & Fabric Needs

Quilt Size	Number of Blocks Needed	Finished Size
Baby Quilt	36	36” x 36”
Twin Size Quilt	81	54” x 72”
Queen Size	144	90” x 96”

Feel free to adjust block counts for custom sizes or add borders for extra width or length!

Finishing the Jelly Roll Quilt

1. Cut or piece together your batting and a piece of quilt backing fabric.

2. Make a quilt sandwich with the backing, batting, and top.

3. Baste together with fusible batting, pins or basting spray.

3. Quilt as desired. A few of my favorite ways to quilt are Straight line quilting or cross hatch quilting. Use a walking foot on your sewing machine. Trim away the extra batting and backing.

4. Cut strips of fabric for the binding. Cut 2 1/2” tall (sometimes I use 2 1/4″) binding strips. Sew the binding strips together and bind using your favorite technique. 

And there you have it—your guide to creating a stunning rail fence quilt block pattern that’s as fun to make as it is to gift.

Whether you’re using affiliate links to grab the latest tools or digging into your stash for fabric strips, this project is beginner-friendly and full of creative possibilities.

So fire up your sewing machine, grab that jelly roll, and get started on your next pattern.

Don’t forget to share your finished quilt photos—I love seeing how creative everyone gets with rail fence quilt design projects.

And hey, if you need more free quilt patterns, check out my YouTube channel or blog post archive.

More Jelly Roll Resources

• 10 Batik Jelly Roll Quilts – all free!
• Easy Nine Patch with a Layer Cake – free pattern
• How many jelly rolls do you need?
• 50+ Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns
• Jelly Roll Race Quilt Pattern
• How to make a string quilt

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