It’s finally time to start. Yay!
We’ll be working on 2 blocks each month and I’ll start with the EASY ones.
Today we’ll be working on
a rail fence block
And a nine patch within a nine patch
Both of these will have strip piecing which is easy and fast and often used in piecing quilts.
I’m writing these directions as if you are TRUE beginners,
so if you’re an ol’ pro you’ll know this already 
I listed the yardage here and of course you use WHATEVER fabrics you want and the last block that’s applique you DON’T have to do the Sunbonnet Sue, I’ll show some ideas, just wait and see 
Now surprise, surprise!
I’m actually making 2 quilts!!
One in bright floral and birdie fabrics
and one in winter blues and white scraps
Each block will be 12” finished ( so 12 1/2” when you are making them)
Let’s start with the Rail fence block
Pick out 4 fabrics from your 1yd pile, I like them to be matching or go from dark to light, but it’s up to you.
Here’s my fabric choices.
Cut 2” WOF (Width of fabric) strips of each of the 4 fabrics.
I laid 2 layers on top of each other and cut, I would say 3 is the MAX if you have a sharp blade, but 2 is safe (4 layers of fabric)
Trim to 28” –then it’s just easier to deal with. –Instead of 40”
Sew these strips together, so you have a long strip of 4 stripes.
Iron toward the darker fabric each time.
Now Sub-cut this into 6 1/2” sections 4 times.
Lay out your 4 pieces and decide if you want the lighter fabrics to touch of the darker ones.
Sew together and iron toward the piece that has the straight fabric. Then finish the block.
Now I have a confession here, my seam allowance was off so my WIDTH was a bit less than 6 1/2” so here’s how I FUDGED it
(Yes! you can fudge it’s okay- it’ll be our little secret)
I knew I had cut the pieces 6 1/2” wide when I trimmed the long strip, so THIS is the part I used to line up with, so here it was the section on the right (top) and on the bottom it was the piece of the left, then I sewed 1/4” seam there. Once it was ironed and flat it looked perfect!!
Now onto the nine patch within a nine patch block
Pick one DARK, one LIGHT and one MEDIUM fabric
Cut 1 7/8” WOF 2 times of each the dark and light fabrics
Cut each in half so each strip is about 20” long – Keep 3 put 1 aside for scraps or maybe later.
From medium fabric cut (5) 4 1/2” squares
Sew together sections for the small nine patches
(dark, light, dark) and (light, dark, light)
I was doing BOTH blocks at the same time, so here’s a picture of FEEDING the dogs
iron toward the dark fabrics
From the (Dark,light, dark) sections cut into (10) 1 7/8” sections
From the (light,dark,light) sections cut into (5) 1 7/8” sections.
Sew into nine patch units, iron toward the sections with the most DARK
–so outward.
When sewing the nine patch, because of how it’s ironed, the seams NEST together when you sew the sections together like this.
So together blocks with medium fabrics as shown.
Iron toward the medium fabrics
Here is the finished blocks
To kick off this quilt along,
Riley Blake is sponsoring a giveaway!!
This Rolie Polie of STARS and STRIPES
whoever wins it will be able to make a little project before 4th of July!
All you have to do is comment on this post (be a follower)!
2nd chance is for those of you who are doing the QUILT ALONG!
(leave a comment that you are)
I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday the 12th!
MAKE SURE YOU are NOT a no-reply blogger, if in doubt leave your email address in the comment. You can leave your email in code, like “name AT gmail DOT com”
Good luck and have fun!
Very nice sampler. I have too many commitments right now to join in the sewing fun, but I will be following along and enjoying the eye candy. Thanks for sharing this quilty goodness … 🙂 Pat
Wow, you are one busy girl! Your sampler quilts look like they will be lovely. I follow your blog.
Very good instructions Bea!! Follower!
I intend to do this quilt, but can't begin until I get back from vacation. I'm going to use scraps and leftover fabrics as much as possible to work down my stash. :)I appreciate your changing one of the blocks to a monkey wrench. 🙂 I'm curious to see what other applique ideas you throw out there.
I'm always tempted to run new projects, but now I have to say stop. I'm going away witout my sewing machine in a couple og weeks time. But I'll follow you here on the blog, for sure.
I will be watching, I am going on vacation so not sure if I will get to do the quilt along.
Hello….lovely blocks you put together….I would love to win..and I do follow thank you
Sorry; should have stated above; I would love to do the QAL with you, but too much commissioned work right now. I will be watching though….
Thanks for the giveaway. I'm a follower who marvels at all you get done!
This is perfect. My sisters and I plan on making ourselves a 4th of July quilt and we get to keep this one. You will have a new follower as soon as I find the button.
Are you planning on leaving up the instructions for a while? I can't just into another project right this second (going out of town next week) but I would love to participate!! Thanks for the giveaway too 🙂
You did a great job on your instructions! I love the blocks you have picked for the quilt. I am going to start this quilt when I get back from vacation.
Hi Bea. I've been following your blog for awhile and read every post. Such a cute quilt. Great instructions. I posted your button with a link to your blog on the side of my blog.Oh Yes. I WILL BE sewing along with you! Looks like a fun quilt.
I am a new follower.This looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for the tutorial.
I like the nine patch block! I'm not joining in until later – too much else on!I'm a happy follower!
Awesome qal Bea! I think I will do this one since it is starting so easy.
HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU >BLOG LOVIN'!msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
NEAT PROJECT! THANKS FOR SHARING>I'D LOVE TO WIN!msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
I decided to go ahead and take the time to do these before I leave on vacation so it won't be on my mind while I'm gone. LOL. I have them done. Yay me!
Bea, I am a happy follower. I am not doing the quiltalong right now, but might join in later. There is always a chance to catch up.
I love the 9 patch within a 9 patch block!
I am a happy, happy follower and love all of your posts. I can't do the QAL this time but I'll watch for the next one.
What a gorgeous sampler. I follow your blog via BlogLovin
Your sampler looks like fun but I don't think I need another project right now. I am a follower sew I will imagine what my blocks would look like as I quilt along.
I love quilt along's… I will differently try and do this one, along with you. I added this to my blog so my friends and family can follow along with us.http://ucanquilt2.blogspot.com/2013/06/sampler-block-quilt-along-2013.html
How fun! Yes, I am a follower, but I can't quilt along right now. I will save the link(s) so I can make the blocks later! Thanks for the chance to win!
What a lovely sampler, thanks for the clear instructions and chance to win the fabric! awolk at rogers dot com
I follow by email – wonderful instructions!
Very nice blocks. I am in the process of making a red, white and blue quilt and those would look great in it. Thanks for sharing. I follow your blog already.
Yes I will be joining in!
Bea thanks this quilt is lovely! And the instructions- fantastic! linynp at gmail dot com
I follow
This looks like I might be able to do it, so, I will give the QAL a try. I am already a follower via email. Thanks for the giveaway and the easy to follow instructions. vickise at gmail dot com
I wish I had time to quilt along with you … there's just not enough hours in the day. I am a follower.
I am your follower. I love your blocks
I think I will try to do this QAl. I have to go pull some fabrics
Wish I had time to do this quilt with you but I have too many projects going right now. Maybe next time. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bea! I've been following you for several months now and look forward to your posts, you inspire me!
I need another week or 2 before I can start the QAL but I plan to be there at the end!
I am a follower and enjoy your blog so much. Thanks
After looking at those blocks I am going to jump in on the QAL. Thanks.
Love the sampler. Thanks for sharing. I would love to do the QAL but unfortunately have too many commitments right now. Maybe next time…..
I'm a follower by email. Love your picture parade, love pictures with tutorials.
I'm going to try my best to QAL, but my husband has been in the hospital and now we have many doctor visits for him. Hopefully I can stay caught up. Thanks
I am a follower! Thanks for the QAL!
I am going to give this QAL a try. Think I will have enough time to get it done. Thanks for sharing.
I am a follower. Your sampler quilt looks like fun.
I'm an avid follower – couldn't possibly keep your pace. Thanks.
Follow via RSS. I'd love to join the QAL, but there's just too much going on right now!
Nice blocks! Thanks for the chance to win
I also follow via email.
Wow, you amaze me with your creations. I've never seen the persian star before, but I like it. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the chance to win the Riley Blake Rolie Polie. You are so right perfect for July 4th.ncjeepster@aol.com
They both are going to look great. You know that I'm too swamped to join in but I'll be watching from the sidelines.
Bea, I am happy to say that I have found time this weekend to work on the first blocks for the sampler quilt…..look forward to next month!
Wow! Sampler looks great, I will be following from the side lines. Hopefully will be able to do in the future.
Thanks for the chance to win! I'm still a beginner so I appreciate the easy instructions you gave! lolShannon F.shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'm already a follower. Thanks for the opportunity to win the giveaway.
I'm in for the quilt-along. I want to make a Christmas quilt so I'll be starting as soon as I get back from my vacation. Great tutorial 🙂
HI Bea,I just love this Sampler block Quilt along! I'm probably not looking in the right place but I can't find the blocks for July??? Could you please direct me in the right direction? I really appreciate it. I've tried looking under the Sampler block along but it only has the blocks for June. Thanks so much for your help. Love your blog too! Have a nice day. Dawn array-dawn@cox.net