Split Five Strip Rail Fence Block

Using the Quilt as You Piece Method

This is the 20th quilt block tutorial in a series on how to make quilt blocks using the Quilt as You Piece Method. This one takes the Five Strip Rail Fence block, splits it in 2 and adds a center strip diagonally down the center.

Materials Needed Makes one Block:
• Fabric:
  Cut the following for both front and back.
  • 3 Strips, color A, 10 1/2in long x 2 1/2in wide.
  • 2 Strips, color B, 10 1/2in long x 2 1/2in wide
  • 1 Strip, color C, 14 inches long x 2 1/2" wide.
• Batting
  • 5 strips, 10 1/2 inches long x 2 1/2" wide
  • 1 Strip, 14 inches long x 1.5" wide
• Cotton Sewing thread in neutral color, 50wt preferred.
• Washable Liquid Glue
• Washable Glue Stick

Tools Needed

These are the tools I used. Use what you have.

• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Mat
• Pair of Fabric Scissors
• Temporary Marking Device
• 18"x3" quilt ruler
• 10.5"x10.5" Square Ruler
• Dry Iron & Pressing Board

Instructions
1. This pattern is a little different from others in that you don't have to do anything accurately. You can choose how wide you want your strips and just keep adding them on until you make your strip pieced block at least 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches. The strips should be cut at least 9 1/2 inches long however. In the example, I used nothing but 2 1/2" wide fabrics from my stash but you can use strings left over from other projects.
2. You can cut the batting pieces bigger if you like. They can be trimmed as you piece.
3. Use the Quilt as You Piece method for all pieces. Quilt as you add each piece or wait until the block is complete.
4. Trim your batting as you add each piece.
5. When you are done piecing all of your straight strips into your initial square, it is time to cut it in half. Make sure your square is larger than 9 1/2" to begin with.
6. Before you cut the block in half, trim your block to 9 1/2" square.
7. Cut your square in half diagonally from the top left to the bottom right corners.
8. Adding Center Strip
   1. Get Back Strip ready. Fold over one long edge 1/4" and glue down with liquid glue so it will stay in place, on only the piece that will be on the back side. Glue the unfolded edge onto back side of either triangle on long edge.
   2. Glue the top piece, onto the front side of same triangle. Stitch in place using a 1/4" seam allowance.
   3. Zigzag the batting to this edge just stitched.
   4. Stitch 2nd triangle to center of long edge of center strip on opposite edge of front strip, right sides facing each other.
   5. Zigzag batting to this edge just stitch using a narrow zigzag stitch. Watch video to see how I did it.
   6. Add glue stick to back fabric strip and fold over to cover batting and also add some liquid glue to the seam allowance. Use the iron to set the glue.
   7. Hand stitch or machine top stitch the edge down.
   8. Top stitch both edges of the center strip if desired.
   9. Now would be the time to quilt the center strip if desired.
9. Trim to 10-1/2" x 10-1/2". Do stay stitching, an 1/8" in from the edges, all the way around.

This pattern sheet just provides what materials you need and what size pieces you need to make a 10" block and in what order to sew the pieces of the block together. It does not go into complete detail how I put them together in the Quilt as You Piece manner, please refer to our tutorial of the Five Strip Rail Fence Block for the basic concept and instructions on how to do Quilt as You Piece for this block and all other blocks in this series.

Block Name & Design Disclaimer: I do not know if this block exists anywhere else. If it does, I do not know the actual name for it. This one came out of my head. If you know the actual name of this block, I would not mind changing it and giving credit where credit is due.

Design written on January 5, 2022 by Julie A Bolduc © 2022 by Julie A Bolduc of Just Plain Fun p401016