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AMERICANA SWAP

Sample3.JPG (80126 bytes)

by Terry Crawford
October 08, 2001
November 26, 2001
Indicates newly added as of October, 2001

     The rail fence block is perhaps the simplest block in the world to make.  The fact that it's fast, easy, and has the potential to have many different layouts makes it one of the most popular blocks in the quilting arena today.  Not only that, because of its simplicity, it's also an excellent block for beginning quilters to choose.

  This swap has completed.  A few of the quilts made from this swap are listed on the Gallery.

 


     In September, 2001, a red/white/blue rail fence swap began on the Quilting Passion forum.   The swap quickly gained popularity due to the disastrous terrorist strikes on NYC and Washington, DC on September 11th, 2001.  Quilters from all over the world wanted to make a quilt in memory of, and in honor of, those who lost their lives and those who relentlessly joined in the rescue efforts to save survivors.

     The rail fence block was chosen for a variety of reasons:   Because it is simple, fast, has many layout possibilities, and because the white center rail can easily be used as a signature area.

     Participants were asked to personally sign their blocks with the following information:  Full name and Location.  A short quote and/or picture were left as options.

     Participants made 43 blocks and mailed them to me, Terry aka Sregora, in Indiana. For some pictures of the sorting process which included almost 1900 blocks!), check out these pictures:

 

     The Americana swap begins with thread 18.1, underneath the "Block Swaps" category, then the "Americana Rail Fence Block Swap" thread on the Quilting Passion forum.  Membership in the forum is free.

BLOCK GUIDELINES

     Here were the few basic guidelines for the swap:

  1. Good quality, pre-washed, 100% cotton fabrics is required.
  2. Fabric colors need to be close to true red and true blue.   If prints are used, they must be small.  The white should be white, not cream/off-white.  Tone on tones and mottled fabrics are fine.
  3. The signature area in the white fabric rail is to be done with a permanent writing source, such as a permanent pen or marker.
  4. Each block is to be 8" unfinished, so that it measures 7.5" finished in the final quilt.  Accuracy is essential!
  5. Each block is to have three rails, or strips, with the order from top to bottom being red, white, and blue.
  6. Each strip is to be cut 3" wide.

STRIP-PIECING RAIL FENCE BLOCKS

     Here is a fast and easy method for strip-piecing rail fence blocks.

  1. Cut each color into a 3" strip.  It should be approximately 42" (or the width of the fabric) long.
  2. Using a scant 1/4" seam allowance ("scant" meaning a few threads short of 1/4"), sew the white strip to the red strip.  Refer to the example below.

    2-strips.jpg (49522 bytes)
  3. Using a scant 1/4" seam allowance, sew the blue strip to the red/white strips.  Make sure the white strip is in the middle.  Refer to the example below.

    3-strips.jpg (82557 bytes)
  4. Press the seams away from the white strip, being careful not to distort/stretch the fabrics.
  5. Using a rotary cutter (be careful!) and an acrylic ruler, square up one end of the 3-piece strip.
  6. Measure accurately and cut the 3-piece strip into 8" segments.  You should be able to cut 5 blocks from each 3-piece strip.  Refer to the example, noting that the black vertical lines represent cuts.

    stripsegs.jpg (27359 bytes)
  7. Using a permanent marker, sign each block in the white rail section with your full name and location.  If you want, you can also add a small picture and/or a quote.   Please keep it simple and keep in mind that swappers are participating from all over the world and English may not be the first language of some.  Also, do NOT sign in the 1/4" seam allowances on the left and right sides.  Refer to the example for a block that's ready to be mailed.

    signed.jpg (48028 bytes)
  8. The deadline for all blocks to be mailed is NO LATER than November 15th, 2001.  Please be on time!  To mail all of your blocks, place them in a large envelope addressed to Terry (who will give you her address at a later date).   Be sure to enclose a second, self-addressed, stamped (not metered) envelope so that your swapped blocks can be returned to you.  Please be sure to adhere enough postage and allow ample time for the blocks to arrive in Indiana.  It's also a good idea to place your bags in a large plastic bag for protection, before placing them in the package.

DIFFERENT LAYOUTS

     Here are a few different layouts for this rail fence quilt.   These were designed using EQ4.1, so if you would like the project file, feel free to e-mail me and ask for it.

     There are many, many more layouts that are possible.   These are just a few to get your creativity flowing.

SUMMARY

     Please contact me if you need more information or if you find a discrepancy in this Web page.

     Enjoy!

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