Last week I shared with you my plans for the Six Inch Block of the Week. This week I am sharing with you my first block The Churn Dash Block.

I like the fact that the Churn Dash quilt block originates from the 1800’s and it’s really simple and effective to look at. So many people will have used these in the past 200 years in their quilts.

A really simple 9 patch contstruction that was so named as it looked like a milk churn. A combinations of split blocks and Half Square Triangles surrouding a centre square. Using contrasting colours it stands out. How will I get on with my 4 blocks?

The dimensions and cutting instructions have been found from She Quilts Alot from her Six Inch Sampler Quilt. It being a really historic block I decided that there are enough instructions out there on the web so I would share where I got mine from instead!

The Churn Dash Block

My first two blocks are from my stash and from my Alison Glass fabrics. They are both obvious contrasting fabrics and they stand out well. You can’t go wrong with Alison Glass on colour can you!

I love the Hares jumping in and out of the Churn on the Free Spirit fabric from my stash. I seem to favour blue too!

My Second Set of blocks are Avery from Ruby Star Collective and from my Libert Fabric collection. As part of this project I was keen not to use other fabrics within the block like a “solid” to accentuate fabrics and work with the parameters of the fabric style chosen.

This means these two blocks don’t pop in the same way as the others because the material used isn’t contrasting enough. They’re so subtle and beautiful fabrics that I think it doesn’t matter! A little bit like a magic picture they reveal themselves after staring at them for a while.

The Focus (fussy) cutter in me couldn’t resist letting a little bird peep out in the centre of the Avery fabric!

As I go through this six inch block of the week project I can’t wait to see how the different fabrics reveal themselves. Whether more modern blocks work with the parameters I’ve set over the historic ones like The Churn Dash block.

Let me know if you’ve made The Churn Dash block before. Let me know if you’re going to give it a go!