The Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block is a vibrant and beginner-friendly quilting pattern that brings life to any project with its bright color transitions and simple piecing technique. This timeless block has gained popularity among quilters due to its versatility, making it perfect for everything from baby quilts to wall hangings and bed-sized quilts. Whether you’re new to quilting or looking for a quick and cheerful design, the Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block is a delightful addition to your creative toolbox.
What makes the Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block so appealing is its combination of simplicity and visual impact. By strategically sewing strips of colorful fabric, you create a stunning rainbow effect that resembles a woven fence. The block’s repetitive structure allows for easy assembly while still offering room for creativity in color choice and layout.
In this blog post, you’ll find a complete guide to creating your own Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block. We’ll cover all the essential steps, from choosing fabrics to cutting, sewing, and arranging the blocks into a finished quilt top. Along the way, you’ll get accurate fabric measurements, cutting instructions, and layout tips to ensure your project turns out beautifully. Let’s dive into this colorful quilting journey together!
Choosing Fabrics for the Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block
When creating a Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block, fabric selection plays a major role in the final visual effect. Since the goal is to create a rainbow look, choose a range of fabrics that reflect the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can use solids, blenders, or even prints—just be sure they read as solid from a distance.
Start by selecting 7 different fabric strips, each representing one color of the rainbow. You’ll need at least 2.5” x WOF (width of fabric) for each color if you plan to make several blocks. For a single block, 2.5” x 10” pieces from each color will be enough.
To achieve a balanced design, try to maintain consistent brightness and tone across your color choices. For instance, avoid mixing very muted colors with extremely bright ones unless that’s the specific look you’re going for.
White or black sashing can help make the rainbow colors pop even more. If you want a more modern look, consider using a white background between your rainbow strips. For a more dramatic appearance, black or charcoal gray can make your colors shine.
Organize your fabrics before cutting. Laying them out in rainbow order beforehand will give you a visual preview of your final quilt block. Make adjustments until you’re happy with the gradient.
Using high-quality quilting cotton ensures better durability and ease of handling. Always prewash your fabrics to prevent color bleeding—this is especially important when working with saturated rainbow hues.
Cutting Instructions and Fabric Measurements
Precise cutting is essential when creating a Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block, as even small inaccuracies can throw off the alignment of your strips. Here’s a breakdown of the cutting measurements for one 6” x 6” finished block using 2.5” strips.
Start by cutting (7) strips measuring 2.5” x 10” — one in each color of the rainbow. This strip length is sufficient to accommodate trimming after assembly and squaring up the block.
Arrange the strips in the following color order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Align the edges carefully before sewing to avoid any shifts during stitching.
You’ll be sewing the strips together along the long edges. After sewing, press the seams open or to one side—whichever you prefer. Using a scant ¼” seam will help keep the block size accurate.
After pressing the unit, trim the block to a height of 6.5”. Then, subcut the unit into two pieces measuring 6.5” x 3.25” each. You’ll rotate one section 90 degrees to create the rail fence pattern.
If you’re making multiple blocks, cut enough strips in each rainbow color to streamline your process. Chain piecing the strips together can also save time and ensure consistency.
Label your strips or use a design wall to keep the order correct. Small post-it notes pinned to each strip can be helpful in maintaining the color sequence during assembly.
Step-by-Step Assembly for Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block
Sewing your Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block is straightforward and beginner-friendly. With just a few steps, you’ll have vibrant blocks ready to assemble into a quilt top.
Begin by placing the red and orange strips right sides together and sew along the long edge using a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat this by adding the yellow, then green, and continue with blue, indigo, and violet.
After sewing all strips together into one rainbow panel, press all seams. Pressing is essential to keep the fabric flat and ensure accurate sub-cutting. Use steam for crisp results.
Square up the edges of the rainbow panel and trim it to 6.5” tall if needed. Then subcut two equal pieces of 6.5” x 3.25” from the panel. These will become the halves of your block.
Rotate one of the 3.25” pieces 90 degrees so that the rainbow stripes run vertically instead of horizontally. This forms the classic rail fence design when you sew the two sections together.
Pin the two pieces together and stitch along the 6.5” edge using a ¼” seam allowance. Press the final seam flat. You now have a completed Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block measuring 6.5” square (6” finished in the quilt).
Repeat the steps to create as many blocks as needed for your quilt. A layout of 6 blocks by 8 blocks will give you a vibrant 36” x 48” baby quilt top, for example.
Layout and Quilting Tips for a Stunning Finish
Now that your Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Blocks are assembled, it’s time to plan your layout. The beauty of this block lies in how different layouts can dramatically change the final quilt appearance.
Try alternating the direction of the blocks in a zigzag layout for visual interest. Another popular option is a chevron pattern, which is easily achieved by rotating every other block 90 degrees.
To create a cohesive design, lay all your blocks out on a flat surface or design wall before sewing them into rows. This allows you to make changes and ensure an even distribution of colors.
Sashing between blocks can help define each rainbow fence and reduce visual clutter. Use solid white, gray, or black 1.5” sashing strips between rows and columns for a clean, modern look.
When it comes to quilting, simple straight-line quilting enhances the graphic nature of the Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block. Stitch in the ditch or quilt horizontal lines across the entire quilt top.
Bind your quilt with a color that ties all the rainbow hues together. A rainbow stripe binding adds a fun finish, or you can keep it simple with solid black or white for contrast.
By following this detailed tutorial, you’re well on your way to making a beautiful and cheerful Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block project. From cutting the perfect strips to piecing them together and choosing a layout that makes your colors sing, this block offers endless opportunities for creativity. Whether you’re sewing a single block for a sampler quilt or an entire rainbow-themed masterpiece, the Rainbow Rail Fence Quilt Block will bring joy and color to every stitch.
Let the rainbow inspire you—and happy quilting!
