Churn dash block tutorial

 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