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I cut all my strips out for my rail fence using three colors. I cut 2.5 x 6.5 strips and now Ive got a mess with my blocks going together..what do I do???? Ive got a perfect 6.5 across but short 1/2 inch when I turn the block.

Check your seams, they may be off. Easiest fix is to cut the blocks down to the smaller size square. You can always adjust any border size if you need to make up the difference in the overall quilt size.

When that happens to me it is usually that my 1/4 inch is not a 1/4 inch but a ooch more. If you haven't checked that, then I would and maybe that is the problem, like Katier said.

Deja vu. Did the same thing on my very first quilt.

As little as an eighth of an inch difference on each seam will resuilt in loss of a half inch. Remember, two pieces of fabric shortened by 1/8 equals a quarter inch each seam.

is that the right size width of strips then..2.5 x 6.5? Im only using three colors of blue.

Rail fence blocks can be any size. If you are shooting for 6 inch finished blocks, then 2.5 x 6.5 should be right. The only explanation I see is your seam allowance.

Yes, it's the right size. Each strip will be 2" wide when finished. As a block (before the blocks are put together) the two outside strips will still have .25" seam allowance on one side, so the total unfinished width of the block will be 2.25+2+2.25=6.5.

Such wonderful explanations from all!!!

well they must be square to fit. measure them all and trim all to one size. good luck.

After sewing the strips together into sets, always measure across the set to get an average width measurement. THEN use that measurement as the subset cut, never what you *think* it should be. (Your cut must be as long as it is wide in order to be a square.......which has 4 equal sides, after all.)

Jan in VA

I have finally figured out what was wrong with my railfence blocks. I was pressing the block BEFORE sewing them together and discovered the one fabric is not 100% cotton but polyester cotton mix. Since I am pressing after the block are sewn together its perfect size. Thankyou all for your helpful advice. I greatly appreciate it..:)

That is the first quilt that many (including myself) try - it is the hardest easy quilt to do. But it does let us know how important an accurate 1/4 seam allowance is.