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 
We’re not fenced in with rails…YET.
But one is on the horizon! Cool colors would calm those hot flashes !
I have not yet made a rail fence quilt. Yours are neat, I’ve tried improv/wonky before & it just ends up looking like i did a bad job cutting & sewing.
My very first quilt, made 28 years ago, was a rail fence. I was pregnant with my first child and decided “I needed” to make a quilt for thIs baby. Little did I know that quilting would become my obsession. Thanks for the chance to win this pretty bundle of fabric; I would be happy with either grouping!!!
I’ve made many rail fence. They are great for scraps because any size can be used. I love your re-imagined sample. Since we are headed into winter in OHIO, I’d love some warm colors.
I have made a lot of rail fence. They are great for scraps because you can use any size. I do like your re-imagined version. Heading into winter here in OHIO so I like warm colors.
I made a wonky Rail Fence for a table runner. I would really like the warm color palette, if you pick me.
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt, yet, but I plan on it in the future since I own your books.
Would love to win either bundle, I haven’t made a rail fence quilt yet but it is on my list for 2017. I’m cleaning up all my started projects and will start fresh in the new year and a nice new bundle of fabric would be nice. Thank you for the chance to win.
I have made twos rail fence quilt so far. I was in an online rail fence block swap about 3 years ago and I had plenty of blocks. Some of the rail fence blocks went into making a couple of scrappy bar quilts. I know I will make another rail fence quilt.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I have not made a rail fence quilt. Like your red version. Would like either color way.
I have not made a rail fence quilt, but the cool aquas would make a lovely one.
I have a rail fence quilt planned, so I bought your book. I had planned a red version and was happy to see what it might look like. Thanks. I love the warm colors.
I have not sewn a rail fence quilt yet; however, I love to try new quilts so I’ll have to add it to my “to sew” list. Would love to win the cool collection. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
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I haven’t made a rail fence quilt yet. Your string pieced variations are gorgeous! Thanks for the draw.
My first person sized quilt was a rail fence quilt. I really like the blue color way best.
I have made many rail fence quilts, especially with and for my foster children, because it is instant success. That was important for the kids. After a while I had to change it up a bit with flip and turn on the corners of each.
I love both colorways, but prefer the warm. Thanks so much.
I made a version of rail fence with big blocks for a baby quilt. I love your improv version and all the different color variations! If I’m the lucky one chosen, I’d want the cool bundle. Thanks!
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt before. I’m a newbie to quilting but this seems to be a good pattern for a new quilter. I love the blues and purples. Thanks for the giveaway
I have made a rail fence quilt many years ago. I like your version with the wide variety of fabrics and the improv piecing, that adds a lot of interest to a simple pattern. Thanks for the chance to win the gorgeous fabrics; the cool bundle would be my first choice.
Yes, made a rail fence when I was starting my quilt adventure. Love those Hoffman blue batiks. I am lucky to be in Houston this year. WOW.
I haven’t made a rail fence quilt yet, but I have added one or another rail fence block in various sampler projects. I think I’ll try your black-and-white version with pink instead of yellow. I also have your book and find your approach to quilting on a domestic sewing machine very helpful and encouraging.
I like both colourways and I’m of course willing to cover international shipping in case I’m lucky. Thanks for the chance!
I have made a couple rail fence quilts long ago. They were actually quillows (quilt that folds into a pillow) . I hope I can find a picture as I gifted them. One was train themed and the other The Hungry Caterpillar.
I prefer the warm bundle.
A rail fence quilt is on my list of quilts I want to make. I’m taken with both the colorways, so choosing between them is difficult. Rainbow colorways are my favorites!
I have never made a rail fence quilt! Warm for me!! Thank you for the chance to win!
I have made rail fence quilts in years past. They offer many design options. I really like the warm fabrics.
I have not made a rail fence quilt but I have made the block! I have one on my someday list too.
Thanks for the chance to win! If I am a lucky winner, I would prefer the warm bundle, but would be quite happy with either!
I have not made a rail fence quilt, but I think it would look great in grays with a streak of scarlet. I’m an Ohio State Buckeye, by the way.
Oh, what a fun quilt! I’ve never made one, but would like to.
I love the cool fabric. Such pretty colors!!
I’ve made what I think is a fence rail quilt, but it was called Crossroads for some reason. I’ll post a pic of it on fb. If I win, I would like the warm colors. I’m usually drawn to those aqua colors, but I want to stretch out a bit and try something different. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve made a rail fence before … a wonky one once and then I cut it up and used it to make stars … but it was cool both ways! Thanks for the chance. I just love fabric so whichever bundle would be fabulous!
Made a rail fence in blues and pinks for a friend as she successfully battled breast cancer at age 39, more than 20 years ago.
Yes, I made a rail fence baby quilt about a year ago, and will be soon making a batik quilt for a young woman whose mother just got diagnosed with cancer, so the batiks would very much come in handy! Thanks for sharing with us!! 🙂 Hugs, Helen in Healdsburg
I have made several in different sizes. I would love the warm bundle.
Yes I have made several rail fence quilts in diffrent sizes. I would love the warm bundle.
I haven’t made a rail quilt–yet! Hopefully in the near future.
I have not made a rail fence, but I have attempted one which morphed into something quite different. Does that happen to you? I love the warm colors in the Hoffman group.
I love all the possibilities so I will add a rail fence to my list to make. Cool colors are my fav.
I’ve never made a rail fence. I’d prefer warm, but they’re both nice.
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt, but I fell in love with one in an ad in an issue of Quilty magazine a few years ago. I continue to love how you play with my eyes by changing up the colors of your wonderful quilts!
Oops! Cool colors!
No, never made one, but maybe one day. I really like to cool colors.
I’ve never made a rail fence quilt, but I love the simplicity and would like to make one. Your improv lightning is terrific! I’m in love with the cool colors. That fabric is beautiful.
My first quilt was a rail fence! Let’s see if I can dig up a photo…
A rail fence was one of the first quilts I made. They are quick and easy. Love your variation and color placement. I really like the looks of the warm colored bundle.
I have not made a rail fence quilt because I thought they were kind of ho-hum, but yours really have pizzaz and fresh style! Now I’m inspired! Either of those bundles looks yummy to me. Thanks for the chance. Not sure I’ve got the no-reply thing mastered so I’m at LaunderedCotton at gmail dot com.
Ooooh!! Love the colour variations!! I have never made a quilt with this block before. If I were so lucky, I’d choose the cool colour bundle, but the hot one is lovely too!!
I’ve done the occasional rail fence block as a part of samplers, but I’ve never done a whole rail fence quilt.
I know I have made some rail fences over the years- such an easy pattern but you have reimagined it so well. I will share one on FB that is a vintage one I had purchased the top and put it together with wiggly lines…
I have made two matching rail fence quilts. They were comfort quilts for my best friend and her very sick mother. They each could cuddle up and think of each other. I love this one!
I have made a rail fence quilt before, but that was long ago before digital cameras were available – therefore, unfortunately, no picture.
I would definitely love the warm colorway!
Never made a rail fence quilt, but I do like the wonky rail fence look. Love the warm colorway.