Churn Dash Block Challenge - Fabric Pull

The block chosen for June's block challenge is one of my favorite blocks - the Churn Dash. 

If you have been following along, a group of quilt pattern designers are challenging each other to re-imagine and re-interpret a traditional quilt block.  Here are links if you want to take a look at the quilts I made during the Snowball Block Challenge, the Rail Fence Block Challenge, the Pinwheel Block Challenge and the Log Cabin Block Challenge.  I have free patterns available for the quilts I made in the Rail Fence block challenge and Log Cabin block challenge.  Links are in the respective blog posts.  

Each Monday in June, the participating designers are sharing about the challenge on their Instagram feeds.  Some of us are adding other social media too.   If you don't already follow me on Instagram, I'm @masterpiecequilting 

I describe myself as a modern traditional quilter and designer and most times I'm a little more traditional than modern but this month, I'm definitely leaning towards the modern side of things. 

For my fabric pull, I have selected all solids - white, blue and teal.  

It is no secret that I love blue and white quilts and as I started designing this quilt, I was using just blue and white.  But I felt it needed something - so I added a dash of teal (get the pun, dash of teal - churn dash block.... okay, I know, it's bad when you have to explain your own jokes!)  Anyway, the teal really helped make the design pop! 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme on Monday June 7th.  If you don't already follow me on Instagram, I'm @masterpiecequilting 

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@quilterstreasurechest

@masterpiecequilting      

@ttquilts

@patchworkbreeze

@southwind_quilts

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@discoflamingo

@swanamity

@cherryblossomsstudio

Each Monday in June, the participating designers are sharing about the challenge on their Instagram feeds.  Some of us are adding other social media too.   An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 

#churndashblockchallenge

#churndashquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#juneblockchallenge

#junedesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

I can't wait to see what everyone is selecting for their fabrics and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

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Remake 2012 - Progress Report #1

Progress has begun on Remake 2012 - The Churn Dash.  Here is a photo of the quilt that is being copied.

We decided to make a few changes from the original layout (12 x 12 blocks with two borders) and will be using a 13 x 13 block layout to give it more balance and symmetry.  This will put a pieced Churn Dash block in each of the 4 corners.  Also, we will add a 3rd border so the total border width will be approximately 10 inches.  This will give a finished quilt size of  98 x 98 which will fit nicely on a queen size bed.

After all the decisions were made - the cutting and piecing have begun.

Statistically, the 13 x 13 layout will require a total of 169 blocks !  (YIKES !!)

But, only 85 of them are pieced and the other 84 are setting blocks (HUGE SIGH of RELIEF !) 

However, to complete the 85 pieced blocks, we need a total of 340 half-square trianges, 85 strips sets, and 170 burgandy 2.5 inch squares.....   (AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE...)

Wow - what a pile of fabric.... but block by block it will come together. 

I think it always goes faster when the finished blocks go up on one of the design walls at the studio.  At least it gives some visual inspiration on those days when motivation is lacking !!

These blocks are just pinned in place, but it already confirms that we are on the right track for replicating the look of the original quilt. 

I'm so excited... stay tuned for more progress reports on Remake 2012 !