April 18, 2002     Added in April, 2002

BLOCK 4, Baby Rails

Block 4 in the Sampler #101 quilt is another simple block in that it is strip-pieced and goes together very quickly.

Block 4 is constructed from five of your six fabrics:  Fabrics A, B, C, D, and E.  It is actually made up of 16 mini-blocks, arranged in a specific order.  When finished, Block 4 should look similar to this example:

It is important to sew with a scant 1/4" (just short of 1/4") seam allowance so that your unfinished block measures 12.5" x 12.5", however, it is even more important to be consistent in your seams.  So, be sure to sew this block with the same seam allowance that you used in the construction of Blocks 1 through 3.

Since this is a sampler that is teaching some of you new techniques, remember that blocks shall get more complicated as we advance through the year, however, the blocks will not become so complicated that you won't be able to do them.  Just follow the instructions, and if you run into a problem, join in on the discussion board on the forum and feel free to ask questions!

Cutting Requirements
Quantity Fabric Size
2 strips A 1.5" x 42"
1 strip B 1.5" x 42"
1 strip C 1.5" x 42"
1 strip D 1.5" x 42"
1 strip E 1.5" x 42"

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. The first thing to do is to cut the strips.  Each of the strips is cut 1.5" wide by the width of the fabric.  In the cutting requirements above, it uses 42" as the width, but in fact, the width of fabric varies from one bolt to another.  I have seen fabric range from approximately 41" up to almost 44" wide.  Cut your strips the full width, no matter what it is.

    		When I talk about the "width" of the fabric, I'm referring to the direction that runs from one selvage to the opposite selvage.

  2. The second step involves the strip piecing.  You had a little practice of strip piecing when you made block 3, but with this one... well, you're going to get more practice.  Just as a reminder, strip piecing is a very fast method of sewing strips of fabric together, then cutting these sewn strips into segments that are then used in a block.  In this case, we are going to sew two sets of stripped pieces, each made up of three fabrics (which is why you cut six strips).  I'll call these two sets Stripped Piece 1 and Stripped Piece 2.  These two sets are made one at a time.  The first one is made in step 3 and the second strip is made in step 4.

  3. Stripped Piece 1 is made of three fabrics:  A, B, and C.  First, place the right sides together of A and B, then sew 1/4" down the entire length of the fabrics.  Press this seam towards A.  Next, place C and B right sides together, then sew down this seam, 1/4", the full length of the fabric.  Press this seam towards B.  It is important to note that if you do not use an accurate scant 1/4" seam allowance here, that your stripped piece will not be the correct size when completed.  Once finished, you should have a single pieced-strip of three fabrics sewn together that is approximately 42" long and approximately 3.5" wide.  It should look similar to this:

  4. Stripped Piece 2 is also made of three fabrics:  A, D, and E.  First, place the right sides together of A and D, then sew 1/4" down the entire length of the fabrics.  Press this seam towards D.  Next, place E and D right sides together, then sew down this seam, 1/4", the full length of the fabric.  Press this seam towards E.  It is important to note that if you do not use an accurate scant 1/4" seam allowance here, that your stripped piece will not be the correct size when completed.  Once finished, you should have a single pieced-strip of three fabrics sewn together that is approximately 42" long and approximately 3.5" wide.  It should look similar to this:

  5. It is now time to cut each of the stripped pieces into segments.  First, trim one edge of Stripped Piece 1 so that it is even.  This means that the edge and the top (or bottom) should form a perfect 90 degree angle.

  6. Cut Stripped Piece 1 into segments that are 3.5" wide.  This makes each segment that you cut a square that measures 3.5" x 3.5".  You should be able to cut 12 or so segments from the entire length of the piece.  You only need 8 of them.  Place the extra mini-blocks aside so that they can be used in a future block.

  7. Now, to cut Stripped Piece 2 into segments.  Trim one edge so that it is even, then cut segments 3.5" wide, making each mini-block a 3.5" square.  Again, you should be able to get 12 or so, but you only need 8 of them.  Place the extra mini-blocks aside so that they can be used in a future block.

  8. It is now time to assemble the block.  The first step in assembling the block is to lay out the mini-blocks so that they are arranged like the picture of the Baby Rails block at the top of this page.  It is extremely important that you pay attention to the direction each block goes, as well as the color combination.  Here is a brief summary of how the blocks should be arranged (The numbers represent the number of the stripped pieces.  For example, 1122 would mean to place four blocks side by side in this order:  Stripped Piece 1 block, Stripped Piece 1 block, Stripped Piece 2 block, Stripped Piece 2 block).
    1122
    1221
    2211
    2112
    Of course, you could arrange yours in any order you wish; this is only a suggestion.  Be sure to pay attention to the direction of the block, too.

  9. Assemble the entire block by first sewing the mini-blocks together in rows.  Once all four rows are sewn together, press each row.  If you alternate the direction that you press them in, the next step makes connecting the rows a snap.  Here are the four rows:
    Row 1:

    Row 2:

    Row 3:

    Row 4:

  10. Using the four rows sewn in step 9, sew them together.  Be sure to use the picture to refresh your memory on the layout.  Also be sure to match each seam.  If you pressed the rows in opposite directions, each row should "snug" together and "lock" into place; making intersections match perfectly.

  11. Press the block flat.  It should measure 12.5" x 12.5".

  12. Once again, here is the finished block:

Congratulations!  You have just completed Block 4 of the 12 for this Sampler.  We are 1/3 of the way done!

The following quilt illustrates what a small quilt/wallhanging could look like just by using the first four blocks in this sampler, the Nine-Patch,  the Pinwheel Nine-Patch, the Hole in the Barn Door, and the Baby Rails.

Here is a quilt that illustrates what this block would look like with no sashing, and also used throughout the entire quilt.  Notice the secondary patterns it creates?  

And here is another quilt using this block, but twisting the blocks around.  I love how this one looks!

For more information, please contact quilting@quiltingpassion.com

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