Quilt block · Nine-patch · Beginner
Churn Dash quilt block
A nine-patch of half-square triangle units in the corners and two-strip units on each side, round a plain center. Also called Hole in the Barn Door, Monkey Wrench, Greek Square, Sherman’s March and Wrench.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center, 4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- C1 square 2½″
- B4 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B4 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center, 4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- C1 square 3½″
- B4 rectangles 3½″ × 2″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B4 rectangles 3½″ × 2″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center, 4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- C1 square 4½″
- B4 rectangles 4½″ × 2½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 triangles and 4 strips
- A2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- B4 rectangles 4½″ × 2½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 4 rail units
Sew the Background B and Dark B rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Nine-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Churn Dash the same block as Hole in the Barn Door?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Hole in the Barn Door, Monkey Wrench, Greek Square, Sherman’s March and Wrench as other names for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 6 × 6 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 3 sections (A, B and C), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s a good block for a beginner: 17 pieces in 3 different shapes. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.