May- Block of the Month 2025- Churn Dash

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Sorry for being late on this post.  This is May's block of the month.  This is one of my favorite blocks and it is the 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 strip 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 (remember the QST's were cut in the previous step, but they also look like HST's)



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.  


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