Churn Dash Block Using Fat Quarters

The churn dash quilt block is an old favorite. It's a 9-patch block, meaning there are 9 units of construction. There are four half square triangle units, four rail fence units and one plain block unit. In this article you will learn how to piece a 12" finished churn dash quilt block. Look at the end of this article for other finished block sizes. There is a link to instructions to make a Churn Dash Quilt approximately 66" x 80" finished. For these instructions you can use scraps or two fat quarters of contrasting fabrics. Two fat quarters will make two blocks.

Press and Cut

Press each fat quarter. Stack right sides together.

Fold the two fat quarters in half by folding the selvage edge up to the opposite edge. Position with the fold at the bottom.

As you cut these pieces, leave the two fabrics right sides together. Straighten the edge and cut the following:

one 5" strip for the half square triangle units
two 2-1/2" strips for the rail fence units
one 4-1/2" square from each fabric for the plain unit.

Half Square Triangles

Using the 5" strip, draw vertical lines at 5", 10" and 15". This divides the rectangle into four squares. For each square, draw a line along one diagonal. Place pins on the vertical lines.

Stitch 1/4" away from each side of the diagonal lines.

Slice the grid along the vertical and diagonal lines. You will have 8 half square triangle units. Press towards the dark fabric. Trim to 4-1/2" square.