Modern Selvage Quilting

TECHNIQUE

Side-by-Side Method

This is a modern selvage-infused twist on a traditional rail fence quilt. In this case, a single fence picket is represented in each block. Place your selvages at an angle to make the pickets crooked and give the quilt a bit of movement.

Materials

Yardages are based on fabric that is at least 40˝ wide.

• Solid fabric: 4 yards for blocks and binding

• Wide-cut selvages: 40 yards, each strip at least 8˝ long

• Backing: 3½ yards

• Batting: 61˝ × 74˝

• Glue stick

• White thread

Cutting

WOF = width of fabric

SOLID FABRIC FOR BLOCKS

• Cut 16 strips 7˝ × WOF.
Subcut 80 squares 7˝ × 7˝.

SOLID FABRIC FOR BINDING

• Cut 7 strips 2½˝ × WOF.

WIDE-CUT SELVAGES

• Cut 160 strips 8˝ long.

Group 160 selvages into 80 pairs. You may wish to pair selvages that are quite similar or perhaps make each couple contrast considerably. Selvages of varying widths paired together are fine and even encouraged. Sew pairs using the Side-by-Side Method. Make 80.

For each 7˝ square, either find (using a ruler) or estimate the center. Place a selvage pair down the approximate center of the block, leaning either slightly right or slightly left of the center.

Make 40 with the selvages angled slightly left and 40 with the selvages angled slightly right. Make the angle as slight or as sharp as you like, as long as the selvage extends completely to the edges of the block. For variety, you can make a few appear to be almost perfectly straight. Referring to the Side-by-Side Method, glue, sew, press, and trim.

Referring to the quilt assembly diagram, arrange the blocks in a layout of 8 blocks across and 10 blocks down, alternating between right- and left-angled blocks and rotating every other block. Start each row with a right-angled block, whether it will be placed vertically or horizontally. (This might sound confusing, but it really is easy! Just keep double-checking the quilt assembly diagram if unsure.)