QAF Block of the Month

July 2004

RAIL STAR

9 1/2" unfinished (9" finished)

July's block is a Rail Fence Block that I have called Rail Star. That's because you will be using a STAR fabric for the inside rail of this block.

Fabrics for this block should be clear bright colors, pastel to darker tones. The inside rail should be a star fabric and the other two can be dots, tone on tones, etc. See the sample block and others in the quilt that is shown.

These blocks should be quick to make, and because they are made from 2" strips, those of you who have swapped strips with us in the past will probably have all the fabrics you will need for this one. Stars, dots, TOT!

For each block:

Stitch the 3 strips together in the order given. Press all seams to one side. Your strip strata should measure 5" wide x 20 or so inches in length. Crosscut this strata to (4) 5" squares.

To Assemble Block:

Lay out the 4 squares so that the star fabric is to the center, aligning the strips as per the block shown above. Sew the top two together, press the seam in one direction, then the bottom two, pressing the seam in the opposite direction. Then sew the remaining seam, nestling the seams for a nice clean intersection. Press. Square up. Your block should measure 9 1/2" square to be entered in the BOM lottery.

Enter lots of them! Maybe you will be a lucky winner of some bright and fun blocks. They will make really cool and funky lap quilts!!