Machine Piecing Railroad Crossing

12 Inch Finished Size

You could use the same directions for hand piecing just use the templates with the ¼” seam allowance included or try machine piecing this way.

Machine piecing instructions for the Railroad Crossing block include paper piecing the four corner units and then attaching them to the very simple stripped pieced checkerboard center.  The corner unit template is in a PDF file which you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.  If you do not have the reader installed, use the link on the BOM page to download this useful program.  Also this block is based on a 5 patch grid, so measurements for the center square are approximate, please make sure you sew a scant 1/4 seam allowance.  Otherwise your center square may be too small.

For those of you who haven't done any paper piecing, good instructions can be found at either The Foundation Piecers Web Site or on Christine Thresh's site.  Both locations have text and image instructions.  Another good instruction source would be any of Carol Doak's books on paper piecing. 

A = White        

B = Light Gray

 C = Dark Gray   

Railroad Crossing has three color values.  Use the drawing at the left as a color value guide (note the letters describe the color value not a specific template).

Choose three fabrics and label them with these letters.

                          A = lightest

                          B =  medium

                          C = darkest                  

From Fabric - A - cut pieces for paper piecing, I use precut strips and cut lengths as needed 

From Fabric - B - cut  5 -  2 1/8" x  6 1/2" strips*

                              Also cut strips for the paper pieced sections (3" wide is ample)

From Fabric - C - cut  5 - 2 1/8" x  6 1/2" strips*               

                              Also cut strips for the paper pieced sections (3" wide is ample)

* Note: there is a small amount of extra length of fabric included in these measurements.

Assembly:

1.      Sew the set of 2 1/8" x 6 1/2" strips together: -C-B-C-B-C-, press seam allowances to the right.  Then sub-cut into two 2 1/8" strips.                 

      Then sew the set made up of -B- and -C- strips cut 2 1/8" x 6 1/2".  Sew -B-C-B-C-B-, press seam allowances to the right.  Sub-cut into three 2 1/8" strips.         

2.   Sew all five strips into a checkerboard block by alternating the second and the first set.  The square should look like this when done.  

3.   Download the RRCrossing Paper Pieced PDF file from the BOM page and make four copies of the    template by either tracing or printing.   You need one for each corner of the block.  Trim the paper templates so that you have no more than 1/2 inch of extra paper around the edges of the template. The template looks like  this:       

4.    Piece #1 in the center is from Fabric -B-.  Pieces #2, #3, #6, and #7 are from fabric -A-.  Pieces #4 and #5 are from fabric -C-.

5.     When doing paper piecing always check to see that the fabric piece you are using is cut large enough, be generous, to cover the template piece with at least a quarter inch seam allowance all around the edges.  Pin on the seam line and flip the piece you've cut to double check that it covers the template completely.  Angles can be tricky so double check.

6.    With the marked side of the paper facing down carefully place a piece of -B- fabric right towards you on the #1 center of the paper pattern making sure you have it at least 1/4" overlap on all sides.  Place a piece of  -A- fabric right sides together over the -B- fabric, positioning it so that it will cover #2 triangle when flipped open and pressed.  Pin through all layers.  Turn over so the marked side of the paper is up and sew on the line between #1 and #2.  Extend the seam by a couple of stitches on either end of the line.  Carefully trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch being sure to fold the paper pattern out of the way first.

7.    Continue in this manner attaching the fabrics in numerical order.  Repeat and make a total of four identical units.  Do not take off the paper just yet.  Trim the edges of the unit so that you have only the 1/4 inch seam allowance of fabric around the template.

8.    Attach one unit to each side of the checkerboard center unit using the lines on the paper to line up with the seams of the checkerboard.  Gently press the block when done.  The paper should not be removed until you have sewn the block into place in your quilt top.