Anita’s Vintage Split Rail Fence

The great thing about arts like quilting that have been around for a long time, is seeing all the different ways a single design can be altered to create a unique design that is nearly unrecognizable compared to other variations of the same design. Anita created a variation of a split rail fence that I have seen described as Attic Steps.

It is a split rail fence design, a block of equal width strips, with each block turned in contrast to its neighbors to build a pattern. Anita’s quilt blocks only have two strips and are arranged to give the zig zag pattern, like attic steps, across her quilt.

The reds are bold and varied with flowers, dots, and even little dogs. The white is all solid white, making the red fabrics really pop. It’s bordered with a pop of solid yellow and a blue print that also contains the other primary colors of the quilt; red, yellow, and white.  All four colors can be found in the main body of the quilt. They’re subtly included in the prints themselves.

This twin size quilt was quilted on solid white muslin with white thread with an overall meander. The movement of the zig zag really didn’t need any competition for the eye so the meander did a great job completing the quilt without fighting for attention. I’m curious to know how she chose to finish the edges. She did a beautiful job!