Touch of Grey Churn Dash Quilt

Take traditional quilting to the next level by learning how to master the classic churn dash block! Finishing at the size of a large lap quilt, this pattern uses a combination of half square triangles and strips to create its design. This quilt pattern is made in elegant shades of cream and dove gray and would look absolutely stunning draped across your living room sofa. Get ready to cross this quilting favorite off your “to make” list!

Finished Size: 56” x 70” lap quilt

Materials:

• 3  3/4 yard cream linen
• 1  1/4 yard grey linen
• 3  3/8 yard backing fabric
• 1/2 yard binding fabric
• 64” x 78” batting

Fabric Notes:

• Fabrics used: Robert Kaufman Smoke linen (E014-1713) and white linen (E014-1287)

Designer Notes:

• All seams are 1/4” unless otherwise noted.
• WOF = width of fabric

Cutting Instructions:

From cream linen:

• Cut (21) 4” x WOF strips.
  • From 10 strips, subcut:
    • (20) 14  1/2” x 4” strips
    • (10) 11” x 4” strips
  • From 4 strips, subcut:
    • (10) 11” x 4” strips to add to the previous stack
  • From 2 strips, subcut:
    • (20) 4” squares
  • Join 5 strips end-to-end and subcut into:
    • (1) 70  1/2” x 4” left side border
    • (2) 59  1/2” x 4” top and bottom borders
• Cut (5) 4  3/8” x WOF strips, and subcut into:
  • (40) 4  3/8” squares
• Cut (8) 2  1/4” x WOF strips.

From grey linen:

• Cut (5) 4  3/8” x WOF strips, and subcut into:
  • (40) 4  3/8” squares
• Cut (8) 2  1/4” x WOF strips.

Assembly Instructions:

MAKE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES:

1. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on all the cream 4  3/8” x 4  3/8” squares. Stack a cream square on top of a grey square of the same size. Stitch 1/4” from each side of the drawn line. Cut on the drawn line, creating 2 half square triangle units. Press the seams toward the dark side and trim off the dog ears to make the blocks 4” squares. Repeat with all the 4  3/8” squares to make a total of 80 half square triangle units.

MAKE CHURN DASH BLOCKS:

1. Pair a 2  1/4” x WOF cream with a grey strip of the same size, stitching together along the length. Repeat with all the strips. Subcut the sewn strips into (80) 4” sections and then press the seam of each 4” x 4” block toward the dark side.
   
2. Arrange the 4” x 4” cream center square in the middle. Surround it by 4 strip blocks and 4 half square triangles, as pictured. Stitch together the sections in rows. Press the seams of the center row outward, and the seams of rows 1 and 3 inward so the seams nest together. Join the rows together to make 1 churn dash block. Repeat to make a total of 20 churn dash blocks.
   
3. Frame each churn dash block on two sides only, by first sewing the 11” x 4” cream strip to the bottom the block. Press the seam toward the border, then sew a 14  1/2” x 4” strip to the edge side of the block. Press the seam toward the border. The block measures 14  1/2” x 14  1/2”.
   

LAY OUT THE QUILT:

1. Lay out the center of the quilt, making sure the block borders (added in the previous step) are pointing as pictured. In columns 1 and 3, the block borders point southeast. In columns 2 and 4, the block borders point northeast.
2. Join the blocks in each row. Stitch the rows together. Press the seams open.
   
3. Add the 70  1/2” x 4” left side border. Press the seam out. Add the 59  1/2” x 4” top and bottom borders to complete the quilt top. Press the seams out. The right side doesn’t require a border strip to complete the design.
   
4. Make a quilt sandwich with batting and backing. Baste, quilt, and bind as desired.