12″ Churn Dash Block Tutorial

A few months I was contacted to see if I’d be interested in sharing a block tutorial for the Patchwork Posse Round Robin. I was asked to pick a favorite block…but that is really too hard for me, so I decided on one of my “standby favorites–” the Churn Dash. This tutorial is for a 12″ finished block.

From background fabric (I’m using the Bella Aqua) you’ll need 2 squares 5″ x 5″ and 4 rectangles 2 ½″ x 4 ½″. For the center you’ll need a 4 ½″ x 4 ½″ square, and you’ll also 2 squares 5″ x 5″ and 4 rectangles 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ out of a contrast fabric.

First you’ll need to make 4 half-square triangle blocks using the 2 background squares 5″ x 5″ and the 2 contrast squares 5″ x 5″. Put one background square right sides together with one contrast square. Draw a line down the middle and sew ¼″ on either side of the line. Next, cut on the line and trim so your half-square triangle block will measure exactly 4 ½″ x 4 ½″. You will make 2 hst blocks from each pair. For a full tutorial on my method for making half-square triangles, see this half square triangle tutorial post.

Next you’ll need to sew each of the background 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ rectangles to  a contrast 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ rectangle. Press seams toward the background fabric.

You will now have 9 different units to be used to create your churn dash block. Lay out the units as shown in the photo above. Sew the blocks in each row together, pressing toward the rectangle square units in each row. Sew the three rows together, pressing toward the center row.

That’s it! You’ve made a churn dash block!

Not only is this a fun round robin of tutorials…but you can also have a chance to win prizes each week by making the blocks and posting to the Flikr page.
Here is the link to that Flikr page so you can join in! This weeks giveaways are sponsored by Sulky, and there are three chances to win.

Also…congrats to scottylover who is the winner of the April Showers Jelly Roll from Olie and Evie! I’ll be sending you an email!