I want to make a rail fence quilt, lap size, using 3 colors. The finished blocks would be 12 inch. This is by making 4- 6 1/2 inch squares jioned to make the 12 1/2 unfinished square. the strips would be 2 1/2 inches . The quilt would need 12 blocks. How much of each fabric would I need??

If you can't do the math maybe you should invest in the book "patchwork minus mathwork." It's available at www.clotilde.com for under 10 bucks.

:roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

This site might help
http://www.quiltingassistant.com/estimator.html

You can feel free to borrow my calculation method:
go to the store
buy what you think you will need
make the blocks
go back to the store to buy more fabric only to find out that they are sold out
then contact the sister-store in a town 100 miles away and send your sister to buy more fabric

It's just an idea....probably not a good one.

For the 12 blocks you will need 48 strips 2 1/2 by 6 1/2 of each color. If you cut the strips at 6 1/2 in you should be able to get about 18 2 1/2 by 6 1/2 strips. You would need to cut 3 strips at 6 1/2. The amount needed would be 20 inches. Does that sound right?

For the 12 blocks you will need 48 strips 2 1/2 by 6 1/2 of each color. If you cut the strips at 6 1/2 in you should be able to get about 18 2 1/2 by 6 1/2 strips. You would need to cut 3 strips at 6 1/2. The amount needed would be 20 inches. Does that sound right?

Oops I forgot to say that the 6 1/2 in strips would be the width of the fabric. I always use 40 inches for the width that is why I got about 18 strips.

If I'm understanding correctly, you would need two 2 1/2" strips of each color for three 12" blocks. so a total of 8 strips of each color, would be 20", so you'd have to buy a minimum of 2/3's of a yard of each one. If you don't add any borders, that would give you a 36x48" quilt.

Although not an accurate method...it can be a more fun one :D:D:D Especially if you see more fabric that must come home with you!!!