Lightning, from my book Machine Quilting with Style is one of three examples in the book of “structured” improv: my method of using improv techniques to randomly sew pieces together, then assembling them into a recognizeable block.
Lightning 72″ x 96″ by Christa Watson. Photography by Brent Kane for Martingale.
The traditional rail fence was my starting point for Lightning. However, rather than using only the same 4-5 fabrics, I used a favorite colorscheme of scrappy black, white and gray, with pops of yellow and green to create the lightning streaks.
I also created a secondary composition on the back with leftovers of many of the same fabrics I used in the top. My publisher, Martingale/That Patchwork Place was kind enough to create a free PDF download of the backing pattern.
Let’s play and see what happens when we substitute the yellow streaks with another popular color such as blue:
Alternate colorway, designed in EQ7.
What if we use red for the flashpoints, and then choose only black and dark grays for the background:
Alternate colorway, designed in EQ7.
As you can see, this is just the tip of the iceberg of possibilities!! Click here to see another version, made pretty in pink.
Quilt Market Giveaway!
Since I just returned from quilt market (more about that later), I thought it would be fun to share a little bit of swag with you. Hoffman fabrics gave me two of these fantastic fat quarter bundles from their Me + You batik collection. That means I get to select two winners this week!
To enter, leave a comment letting me know if you’ve ever made a rail fence quilt before, and which bundle you would prefer to win – cool or warm. For a bonus entry, share your rail fence quilt in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa. (US winners only, or willing to pay shipping if int’l.)
I’ll choose the winners next Thursday and share their names on next Friday’s post with the next re-imagined quilt from Machine Quilting with Style, and another giveaway! Lightning is the 8th quilt in the book, so that means there are only 4 more to recolor. I hope you are having as much fun seeing the alternate versions as I am!
Click here to purchase a signed copy of Machine Quilting with Style.
Click here to see all of the quilts from the book.
Christa Quilts 
Rail Fence is one of my favorite patterns for baby and charity quilts. It works up fast and can be colorful.
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt, but I did make an applique quilt that had a rail fence detail on it. It was very effective. I would love to win the “warm” shades.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve never made a rail fence, but would love to do one. The cool shades bundle just “speaks” to me!
I have made a couple of rail fence quilts. The first was in bright batiks and the second in taupe, melon, and aqua. The next time I make one, it will definitely be more on the lines of structured improv! I think the name, “Lightening” sums up the look! Thank you for the giveaway — I would choose the “cool” bundle.
I have made a rail fence quilt. It is a great quick pattern for a baby quilt.
I’ve made a rail fence before, but it was in the 90s and was really traditional. I’d love the cool bundle, but the warm bundle would be great too! 🙂 Thanks so much for doing the giveaway.
I have made a rail fence block for a sampler quilt, but have never made a whole quilt with it. Love what you did with it! I would prefer the cool shades, but both bundles look beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
I made a ‘sort of’ rail fence quilt but I did all the blocks in my embroidery machine.
Rail fence was the first quilt I ever made! Can’t wait to make your pattern with the blue bundle. Love your blog!
I have not made a rail fence quilt – I do like your interpretation and the different colorways illustrated.
Cool colors are my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway.
Have never made rail fence, but it is on my bucket list! I love the cool bundle.
I’ve made a traditional rail fence but I prefer your version. I would love the warm colors but that’s just my nature. The brighter the better. Thank you for this opportunity.
I have made several variations on the traditional rail fence quilt. I would be happy to pay the shipping costs if I won a fq bundle. I would make mine in blue shades.
Yes I have made a rail fence, it’s been many years ago. I don’t think I have a picture of it and it was a donation quilt. Both bundles are gorgeous but I am drawn toward the blues.
I have never made a rail fence quilt, but one of my treasured quilts is a rail fence made by my aunt when I graduated from high school. She gave me a choice, quilt or money, like that was a choice, right? The quilt has bits and pieces of fabric from some of the dresses my mom made for me. She always sent the scraps to my aunt for her quilts. The Me & You fabrics are so beautiful that it would be hard to choose just one, either would make me happy.
My last baby quilt gift was a rail fence quilt made with pastel flannels. I would love to win either bundle of fabric!
Yes, I have made several rail quilts but no pictures because I gave them all away. Your give away colors are so pretty! I’d be so happy to have either colorway!
You continue to inspire me- I like revisiting your book and your blog encourages me to keep the book open. If I win, I would like the warm colors, after all winter is coming.
I have never made a rail fence quilt but now I am putting it on my list to do. I love both bundles of fabric and would be happy with either one.
I made an “off the rail” rail fence quilt for one of my grandsons. He loves it. Thank you for the give away. I’d love to win the cool colors.
I made a rail fence years ago. I love the cool bundle.
I made a scrappy split rail fence last winter when we were snowed in. I loved how fast it went together. I like the warm colors.
My first quilt was a Baltimore album hand appliqué quilt – I had signed up for a monthly class at the local quilt shop- I had no idea what I was getting into! The next quilt class was a small table topper rail fence- I figured I better make sure I knew the basics! We still use it on the kitchen table in the summer. I love either bundle. Thanks for opportunity!
I have made a rail fence in yellow and green for a wonderful woman. I will choose warm because I generally buy cool. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I have used rail fence blocks as a border but not for a whole quilt yet! Love the cool batiks!!!Thanks for sharing your Market swag!! churcae(at)auburn(dot)edu
Rail fence is still on my to-do list!
Your versions are inspiring me to get started NOW!!
Such beautiful fabric bundles!… I would like to say surprise me, but I have a quilt in mind for someone who loves blues…. That cool bundle would be so perfect!!
Thank you!
I have made a couple baby quilts using the rail fence pattern. Easy and fast, plus have a nice soothing look to me. Will post pictures if I can locate them. As to which bundle, I really like both, so I would be happy either way. Thanks, Christa!
I have made a rail fence! Love those cool shades but both bundles are beautiful.
just to sat your book has helped me so much with the quilting part of quilt, still not got the courage to quilt a full bed quilt but gradually working up to it. I have problems keeping stitches the same size when I try FMQ
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt but I have made your Wonky Logs. Should I be lucky enough to win, I would love the cool colours as we are having a lovely hot summer here in South Africa. I am more than happy to pay shipping! Thank you for the chance Christa.
I have not made a rail fence quilt before. Would love the cool bundle to do so!
I made a rail fence from batik fabrics in one weekend after finding out a very young lady had colon cancer and was having surgery the next week. It was an easy and quick pattern that allowed me to give comfort to friend. The surgery was a success and the young lady is now a wonderful wife and mother. I love warm colors and most of my quilts are made in those shades. Thanks for sharing your talents with your readers.
i haven’t yet made a rail fence quilt, still on the one day list, and would love the cool color pack. thanks for the giveaway
I have never made a rail fence, though one quilt was originally going to BE one but I ended up taking a completely different athvand kaking a different quilt altogether. I was ultimately not thrilled with it, it could pass well enough for what i needed, but i should have stuck with my original plan. I like the warm bundle.
I made a friendship rail fence quilt for my best friend’s fiftieth birthday. I had many friends and family members sign the center rail of each block and then embroidered their signatures. My favorite bundle is the cool blues. Thanks for a giveaway opportunity!
Such lovely colour choice’s, dear Watson! The coin has been tossed, with warm for winter, uppermost. Those juicy reds and olives are both stunning and electrifying. I have never made a Rail Fence design, but this combination would make a fiery Lightning Strike.
Thank you for sharing your treasures!
I have never made a rail fence quilt…yet!!
I like the cool group.
Thank you.
I forgot to mention the bundle I like and truthfully, I like them both. So if I should be lucky enough to win, surprise me.
I have made a rail fence quilt for one of my grandsons.
I have not made a rail fence. I would love to use the Cool version to make one.
I am new to the rail fence design.
I prefer the cool blue designs.
Thanks!
I have made several rail fence quilts. I love blues and greens. I gave them to babies. I love your quilts with the red focus print. I prefer the cool colors.
I’m just about to start a strippy quilt and am thinking about a rail fence! I would love the warm colours if I am chosen. I can.not.wait. to see those batiks!
The first quilt I made in April 1994 was a red, white, and green rail fence from the book “P.S. I Love You.” I’ve made about six other rail fence Quilts since then. It’s simple enough even for beginners, but versatile.
I have made Rail Fence in the past but more traditional. I like your version with the streaks. I would be thrilled with either bundle. A nice Christmas present.
I have made a few rail fences, the most recent being a batik version for a wedding gift and a bright version for a Crisis quilt.
Made a rail fence that was called something else. Love the warm bundle!
I have not made a rail fence quilt before…..Love the cool shades bundle!
I have made a rail fence wall hanging for a friend who asked me to make it. It was my first real quilt. I would love to win the blue shades. Thanks for offering this giveaway
I really like the yellow with the black and white prints, but blue is nice as well! I have not made a rail fence. Those warm colors would be nice!