Stitchtale

Churn Dash quilt block

Named for the butter churn and loved for its bold, graphic frame. It reads well in any two fabrics.

7 steps, start to finishWatch the Churn Dash sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Churn Dash quilt

Try it in your colours · Design your own quilt with it

Try it in your colours

Tap a colourway, or pick each fabric. The film at the top changes too.

Colourways

Or pick each fabric

Love it? Find real fabric in these colours at the fabric shop.

Quilts made with the Churn Dash

Cut sizes for one Churn Dash block

Pick the finished size. Every cut includes the ¼″ seam allowance.

Cutting for one 6″ finished Churn Dash block
PieceCutQty
Background squarebackground fabric2½″ × 2½″1
Half-square trianglemain fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″2
Point rectanglemain fabric2½″ × 1½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric2½″ × 1½″2
Point rectanglemain fabric1½″ × 2½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric1½″ × 2½″2
Cutting for one 9″ finished Churn Dash block
PieceCutQty
Background squarebackground fabric3½″ × 3½″1
Half-square trianglemain fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″2
Point rectanglemain fabric3½″ × 2″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric3½″ × 2″2
Point rectanglemain fabric2″ × 3½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric2″ × 3½″2
Cutting for one 12″ finished Churn Dash block
PieceCutQty
Background squarebackground fabric4½″ × 4½″1
Half-square trianglemain fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″2
Point rectanglemain fabric4½″ × 2½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric4½″ × 2½″2
Point rectanglemain fabric2½″ × 4½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric2½″ × 4½″2

In the film the triangle squares start a little big and get trimmed to size, which is the easy way to sharp points. The chart gives the exact cut if you’d rather skip the trim.

Good to know

What size should I make a Churn Dash block?

Any size that suits your quilt. 12″ is the easiest to sew, and 9″ or 6″ look lovely in a busy, scrappy quilt. It sits on a 6 by 6 grid, so a finished size that divides by 6 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Churn Dash blocks do I need for a quilt?

At 12″ you need 9 blocks for a wall quilt, 12 for a baby quilt, 30 for a throw, 48 for a twin quilt and 72 for a queen quilt. Sashing or a border between them means fewer blocks for the same size.

Is the Churn Dash good for a beginner?

Yes, if you take it slowly. The one new skill is the half-square triangles, and the film at the top shows every cut, seam and press.

What's the trick to a neat Churn Dash?

The rectangles and triangle squares must finish the same width. Measure one of each before you sew the rows.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Churn Dash and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Churn Dash quilt