Hello and Welcome to todays blog post. Thank you for joining me. Today I am going to do a tutorial with you on how to make a churn dash block.
This is an old, traditional block. It was made in approximately the 1800 - 1850 time period. I love the traditional blocks and in my quilt designs, you will see that I use these a lot.
For this block, it is normally done with 2 colors. I found a perfect piece to use in my stash, and so I am using 3 colors in the block.
So, what do you need to get started? One of the first things I do, before cutting is starch my fabric. I get a much better cut, which means my seams are more accurate.
Background Fabric: This will be known as color A
1 square 7"
1 strip at 2 1/2" x 19"
Print Fabric: This will be known as color B
1 square 7"
1 strips at 2 1/2" x 19"
Focus Fabric: This will be known as Color C
4 1/2" square
Sew the "A" 7" square to the "B" 7" square around the outside edge 1/4" from the edges.
Sew the "A" 2 1/2" x 19" strip to the "B" 2 1/2" X 19" strip, along one long side with a 1/4" seam.
Press the square and the strips. On the strips, press the seam towards the "B" fabric. Cut into 4 - 4 1/2" segments. I will refer to these as "rails."
Take the square and cut it diagonally 2 times, so that you have 4 QST's (quarter square triangles). Press the seams towards the "B" fabric. Trim to 4 1/2".
Now, lay out the blocks like this:
Row 1, QST, rail, QST
row 2, rail segment, block "C", rail segment
Row 3 QST, rail, QST
Now you are ready to sew your block together. Lay out all the rows and sew 1 row at a time. On rows 1 and 3 press seams to the left. On row 2 press seams toward the center.
Sew the rows together
you have now completed your Churn Dash block.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Keep watching this blog, because I have some great things coming up. I have a website almost ready to publish, with patterns I have designed as well as quilt kits. I will announce that here as well as social media when it goes live. I also have some great blog posts planned. As I was making this block I had an idea come to my mind, so I will be creating a pattern with this block.
I invite you to follow me on social media at www.facebook.com/kathyskwiltsandmore and www.instagram.com/kathyskwiltsandmore
