Fencing the Future Quilt Block Pattern

Beyond their practical utility, split rail fences also hold cultural and symbolic significance in rural America. As a visual representation of frontier heritage, these fences evoke a sense of nostalgia and evoke images of the American pioneer spirit. They have been immortalized in literature, art, and folklore as enduring symbols of the American countryside.

"Split Rail Fence History," Door County History Newsletter, July 2023

I find history ~ especially American history ~ fascinating!

Imagining life in the late 1800s is especially intriguing. And more than once in my lifetime, I've wondered if I was born in the wrong century. A slower pace, the peace of living off the land, and spending my days doing "domestic" chores such as canning and quilting seems right up my alley! On the other hand, no electricity on summer days and limited access to loved ones does not sound like my cup of tea.

Fencing the Future

When I write historical romance and origin stories of Green Hills, I'm enamored by the how I imagine Green Hills looked when Tobias von Sharp and the Davis family arrived in the early 1880s. Think how endless the rolling hills and canopies of green trees must've appeared!

As the years passed, more and more of that land would've been enclosed as open range practices came to an end. This led to larger communities with greater infrastructure. And while Green Hills remains a sweet, small town, fencing impacted all of America in major ways.

When I saw this month's Quilt Block Mania theme I didn't think about gadgets and electronics. Instead of the technology we use 24/7 these days, I immediately saw a trail of traditional split-rail fence blocks marking the transition between fertile fields of green, where farmers and ranchers grow crops and once drove herds, and energetic, corporate high-rise buildings where technology now drives our daily grind. Neither are right or wrong, good or bad. They simply are us...our past, our present, and our future.

That's my inspiration for this month's block: Fencing the Future ❤️

Using light, medium, and dark scraps of reds, greens, and grays, the Fencing the Future block is a great stash-buster! I recommend chunking the sections to minimize the number of partial seams, and take those partial seams slowly. They're do-able and this block provides fabulous practice, which they say makes perfect - LOL

Here are the block instructions: Fencing the Future Block Pattern

Quilt Block Mania

Fencing the Future is part of QUILT BLOCK MANIA, a collaboration of quilt designers who release a complimentary block pattern on the first Tuesday of every month.

Our September 2025 design theme is TECHNOLOGY 🎥

Here are links to the rest of this month's featured blocks:

Lightbulb Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Sewing Machine by Crafty Staci
Microchip Quilt Block by Patchwork Breeze
Chain Link Quilt Block by Scrapdash
I'm Connected! by Patti's Patchwork
Paperclips by QuiltFabrication
Stand Mixer by Inquiring Quilter
Network Bars by Memory Barn Studio
Valley Square by Sarah Marcina
Handheld Calculator by Emerald Falls Quilts
Digital Nutcracker by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Word. (Books on a shelf) by Due North Handmade
Windmill by Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio
Microscope by Appliques Quilts and More
Cog Wheel by Flowerdog & Co
Fencing the Future Quilt Block by Ashli Montgomery

Thanks for quilting with me!

Love and hugs,