Building A Fence

I think it's time to start creating the Scrap House Quilt.  So today I have put a fence in front of some free range pigs.  Blocks like this can go alongside the little houses together with some more traditional blocks.  Over the next few days I will put some examples of landscapes and strips and houses for you to consider and to help you design the content of your own quilt, either large or small.

The fence panel is made up of strips measuring 1.5" wide and 6" long.  Every strip adds an inch to the width of your fence so you can decide how many to make.  Choose a fabric which gives the impression of a fence, and for the scene behind the fence you will need a novelty fabric with something like flowers or animals or a seaside scene.

The top of the fence is made pointy by using small 1.5" squares of the novelty fabric but when you cut out the little squares for the top of the fence choose areas of background that don't include bits of the motifs because that might look weird!  So notice where I have ironed squares of freezer paper to the background areas I will cut out because I don't want bits of the pigs stuck to the top of my fence!

I made a 1.5" square plastic template first then drew round it on to the freezer paper, ironed these on to the fabric, shiny side down, and cut out with the scissors. Freezer paper shapes can be used several times before they won't stick any more.

 Place the little squares at the top of the fencing strips RST (right sides together) and draw a diagonal line from top left to bottom right as shown.  Pin and stitch this line and then cut away the corners at top right, turn to the right side and press well.

Now all the strips need to be joined along the long edge. Once they are joined together press nice and flat and trim the top edge straight but do not trim too much or you will loose the nice pointy bits of the fence at the top.

 Next the fence has to be attached to the square of novelty fabric (it is underneath and can't be seen in this photo).  Sew with the seams uppermost so they do not twist in all directions.  I have pinned mine from the edge facing downwards to keep the seams flat but when sewing take care to remove pins just before the needle gets to them as hitting a pin can break the needle. 

And here is the block all ready to be assembled near to one of the little houses.