The Churn Dash quilt pattern is an easy quilt block with a nine-patch layout using half square triangle units (also referred to as HST units)and strip pieced units. Typically made with two fabrics, the block also can have a different fabric in the center square, or fabric variations for the center side strips, also referred to as a bar unit.

This quilt pattern design is a variation of the Shoo Fly quilt block and is also referred to as the Double Monkey Wrench, Old Mill Design, Hens and Chickens and more. It is a very old 9-patch quilt block pattern. Use this block alone to make a quilt top, add sashing when you design the quilt, or combine with other nine patch quilt blocks finished to the same dimensions! This would be perfect combined with the popular traditional Friendship Star quilt block.

The churn dash pattern is perfect for beginners as all of the stitching is straight lines. But, quilters of all skill levels will enjoy making the traditional churn dash block. It’s easy to change the look of the block with fabric selections.

Our tutorial is for the basic two-color Churn Dash quilt block pattern. Make sure to select fabrics with strong value differentiation. Here we have selected a light-value ivory solid color for the background fabric and a dark-value navy blue solid color.

This is a perfect block pattern to try different fabric patterns with different scale – like a large print for the center and corners and a small scale print for the sashing and interior triangles. The important part in fabric selection for this block is to use a dark fabric and a light fabric so the design shines. The darker fabric can be either the background or the foreground, as we have used it here.

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Here are two variations that show three color options for the Churn Dash quilt block. The first one uses a third color in the bar units.

Churn dash with center side strips different

With this option, the center square is a different color. This could be a print that is fussy cut to be highlighted in the quilt block. Have fun with the quilt design!

Churn dash variation with different center

Here are common sizes for the Churn Dash quilt block and the cutting measurements for a variety of block sizes:

Here are step-by-step instructions to make the basic churn dash quilt block:

One (1) Quilt Block

How to Make the Churn Dash Quilt Pattern

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The Churn Dash quilt block is a nine patch layout with half square triangles, strip pieced blocks and a solid center unit. This is a classic quilt block.

It is a popular traditional and modern quilt block, perfect for a beginner quilter looking for practice with strip piecing and making half square triangle units.

Here is our churn dash quilt block tutorial:

Materials

1/4 yard each of two fabrics or two fat quarters
Thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board or pressing surface
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Quilter's ruler
Marking pen or pencil; I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Cut your fabric pieces according to the fabric calculator above. My finished block is a 9" square. Here is the center unit square, squares to make the corner half-square triangle blocks, and strips to make the center side strip squares.
Start by sewing your strips of fabric together for the center side squares, right sides together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Use a 1/4" foot on your sewing machine, if you have one. On a Bernina, that is foot #37 or #57.
Press your seam to your preference. See our article on how to press your quilt seams.
Using your quilter's ruler, cut the strip into four squares the same size as the square for the center. For the finished 9" block, my center side units are 3-1/2" cuts. On the fabric calculator I added 1" to the length needed so there would be a little extra to be able to square up the units.
Next, make your half square triangles for the corner units. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric. This will be your stitching guide line.
Layer different colored squares right sides together. Sew 1/4" from the drawn line.
Turn and sew 1/4" on the other side of the marked line. I like to sew the blocks one after another, which is referred to as chain stitching.
Using your quilter's ruler and rotary cutter, cut on the marked diagonal line, making two half square triangles. Press your seams.
Lay the units out in the nine patch format.
Sew the units together into rows.
Sew the rows together to form the finished Churn Dash quilt block.