This swap is for a scrappy rail fence. You make a rail fence block, like you normally would, except for one major difference. You get to the point where you have 4 pieces to sew into the final block. Don't sew them together!

Please use 100% good quality cotton. If it is possible, please prewash your fabrics. If not, please say so, and why you are unable to.

The rail fence pattern is here. http://quilterscache.com/R/RailFenceBlock.html


PLEASE NOTE: This pattern uses a scant quarter inch in its directions.

The pattern calls for 3 colors. This is a scrappy swap, so anything goes!

Make 4 units for each set. You need to do at least 3 sets. More that that is welcome. Maximum for this swap is 9 sets.

Please pin the 4 units together in your set, and then label them.
Please write on the bag, or pin a piece of paper.
Please include your real name AND Board name.

Send them to me along with an ADDRESSED RETURN envelope. Please have it be stamped. I would prefer a flat rate envelope(4.95) be used depending on your number of sets and how flat it is. PO is being picky where I live.

Sign-ups will close on Sunday May 1st PM me if you wish to join. Please do not sign up until your blocks are done and ready to mail.

Blocks due to me by MAY 11th. Please plan mailing accordingly!! If you have issues with meeting the deadline send me a note if you have already signed up. You also have the option of dropping out of the swap if something comes up. Blocks are due by the 11th of May.

Please review the rules that apply to all swaps. They apply to this swap, too. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20154-1.htm

Please note, in particular, the rules for mailing and those regarding swappers who fail to fulfill their swap obligations.

Have fun!

Link to Group Activity
http://www.quiltingboard.com/group_a...sp?gracnum=124

Sign me up please.

Emily,

I have a quick question: if this is a scrappy block swap & quilt pattern, are we allowed to use any color/pattern fabrics in our blocks? I am having some difficulty reconciling scrappy with finding colors that play well together with others especially when we cannot know what colors/patterns other participants are choosing. Many of my fabrics would be modern comtemporary prints, batiks, ethic prints, some novelty prints or bold colors.

I would like to participate as I do like the simplicity of rail fence quilt patterns and I'm currently working on one in navy batiks with a gold mottled accent fabric. Also, if we volunteer for 9 sets, can each set be a different combo of colors/prints? I have a bin of 2.5 strips that I could use in a variety of colors/prints.

Please let me know.
Mary

Ok
If I want to do 9 sets I have to do 36 little squares correct? Can they be the same color pattern or do they need to be 9 different fabric combinations?

I'm new so lots of questions.

I've looked at the pattern and it looks to me like each set will be the 4 pieces needed to complete a 12 1/2 inch block - is that accurate?

I looked up scrappy rail fence quilts online and on this board and it looks like each strip of fabric in the blocks is a different print/color. The picture attached to this post shows a uniform color block. For a true scrappy look, each fabric strip in the 6.5 inch blocks should be different.

Awful quite.

Haven't heard from the host in a couple of days.

Sign me up for 9 sets.

Got Pictures? of a set? and the maximum of 9?

Confused this week :)

I understand the first paragraph.

On the next paragraph:
I understand that I make 4 RF (say red/white/blue) and that will equal 1 set. For my 3 sets (of the same fabric I think) I make a total of 12 r/w/b RF (4x3=12) = which is 1 of 9 sets that I can send in???????

Then I use 8 other fabric combination to make up 8 more sets?????

IS THE LIGHT IN THE CENTER? OR DOES IT EVEN MATTER?

Last time she posted anywhere here was on 2/27. Shows she's online now. Hope everything's ok

I hope that she is okay also. We haven't heard from her. Perhaps soon we will.

I wasn't sure that the 3 sets of four small block units (12 blocks units)needed to be the same color combo. I'm thinking scrappy so anything goes in my mind. Just need some direction and I am ready to start sewing. I have lo\ts of 2.5 strips already cut.

Sorry for not posting sooner!

It is up to you whether or not you want to make 4 units using the same color. I would however prefer that you do not use the same fabrics for all 9 sets.

Quiltinghere, since this is scrappy it doesn't matter either way. Yes, just make the 4 units that you'd normally sew into a block and then don't sew them together. You can choose whether to use same fabrics(for each 4 unit set) or not.
\
Hope this is clear, if not, pm me.

I'm in.

Ok I am in for 9 sets. Sending PM now. My fabrics will be very colorful and mostly contemporary prints. I hope that is ok.

Great!

Please make sure when you sign up to put number of sets..

OK for final clarification for this blonde.......for the 9 sets.......I need 36 (3- 2 1/2 X 6 1/2 inch rail blocks). [4 x 9 = 36] Yes???? Whew!!!!

To my understanding, (4) completed units measuring @ 6.5" equals (1) set......is this correct?

And the minimum total sets to make per swap is (12) units Or Sets..., equals (3) Not Sewn together blocks, is this correct?

Yes, it is 6.5 unfinished size. Yes, you need to make 12 units at least.

Thank you for clarifying this.

Let me make a couple of scrappy practice blocks tonight and sew how it goes.
The pattern/directions are not hard at all, but I want to see how my colors will look in advance.

Thanks and I will keep you posted on my decision.

It's so quite is this still a go?

Hmm. I wonder what is going on also. It has been very quiet in here. I am working on blocks as if we are still a go. I certainly hope it is before I make 36 blocks.

I have PM'd for the mailing address to the host and awaiting an answer.

Got some pretty FQ's for this and promptly set out to make my blocks... only to forget to prewash! Ugh. Let me do another few sets but wash them first...

Does anyone have a picture of what a scrappy rail looks like? Thanks!

Type scrappy rail fence in the search bar on this board and some pics will be available for you to look at.

I had to go through and find fabric that I had already washed to make these blocks also. Some fabric I wanted to use is not washed yet so maybe I will get them washed to use before the deadline.

Oh... found one great example!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-55745-1.htm

And here's another:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6X8MTEzko6...h/IMGP4946.JPG

Great pics! My blocks are more bold in color and print. It will be interesting to see them in a quilt. I may end up making the quilt myself.

Dear Host Quiltingbee12,

I pm'd you for a mailing address for the blocks. I hope to hear from you soon. I am more than half way done with my blocks.

I signed up but don't see that the note was read yet. Just sent it on the 11th.

Hopefully you will hear soon. The more blocks the merrier.

I'm thinking about this one! I'm going to do some practice blocks first to be sure I can do them correctly. I have plenty of scraps!

I made my blocks 1/8" larger than the required 6.5" block so that they can be cut to size by the recipient. Originally they were coming up a little short when assembling my 2.5" strips. So cutting a bit larger was my compromise.

I am using a new sewing machine (electronic Brother which I am not in love with) and the seam marks are really weird on this machine plus I can not use my quilting seam guide on this one. The thread tension when haywire on my beloved Baby Lock & I could not get in back in order so it is on it's way back to the repair shop.

Please join us, the more the merrier. Hopefully our host will check in with us soon.

I'm in (9 sets). If I understand correctly, we cannot "sign up" until our blocks are completed?

I get it that a set is 4 units (unsewn 6 1/2 x 6 1/2) rail.
minimum is 3 sets of 4 units, max 9 sets of 4 units.

the 3 (up to 9 sets) sets do NOT have to be same fabrics.

packaging question.

each set (4 units) bagged separately? or 3 sets (4 pinned units) in SAME bag?

I am new to this & want to play by the rules! :P

I would like to try this but I"m going to watch for a little bit to see how it goes while I work on making my blocks.

I am hoping to have my blocks done so that I can participate in this swap - my first.

I thought I should make my interest known.

Well I was almost done with my swap blocks and then I starting having so much fun making the blocks, I started a whole new stack.

Here are pics of some of my blocks.