Churn Dash and Grecian Square

Grecian Square and Churn Dash Quilt Blocks Side by Side

Now here’s a bit of fun. These two blocks have exactly the same components but one’s a churn dash and one’s a grecian square. They look totally different.

The grecian square came from the ever-reliable About.Com:Quilting. I keep coming back to that site for their clear instructions and inspirational, yet achievable designs.

Update on Churn Dash Potholders and Woollen Batting

In my post a couple of days ago about making more churn dash pot holders I said I’d post pictures as I go.

Pot Holders before adding Batting

Here are the two potholders sewn together but before inserting the wadding and doing the quilting. I made a loop to hang them with out of a piece of matching fabric 6 inches by 1 1/2 inches, folded and stitched.

Blanket Offcuts for Batting

I found some offcuts of woollen blanket fabric which I plan to use for the batting, due to its excellent insulation properties. The two pieces cost me $25 together – not a bargain, but not bad either. Each has a small dirt mark so they won’t be used until they’ve been laundered. Once again, I’ll report back.

More Churn Dash Pot Holders

The churn dash pot holder I made a couple of weeks ago was a BIG hit when I gave it to my mother as a gift, such a big hit that she was reluctant to use it, thinking that it should really be hung somewhere in the kitchen as a decorative item. That’s nice, but they’re made to be used and my plan is that they should also wash well.

On the subject of washing, I always pre-wash and press my quilting fabrics before I start cutting. I don’t have the time or inclination to hand wash them so they go in the washing machine, sometimes in with a load of clothes on a delicate cycle and sometimes by themselves. In the latter case I usually pick a wool wash setting for less agitation and a gentle spin. If 100% cotton fabric can’t cope with machine washing that then that’s probably an excellent reason not to use it.

The list of potential recipients of pot holders grows each time I think about it and a small hand-made gift like this will be an excellent way to thank someone for past kindnesses or simply ‘just because.’

Churn Dash Pieces for Nine Inch Block Pot Holders

The picture shows that latest work in progress.The big 9 1/2 inch squares are the reverse side. I’ve chosen bold colours and prints because I like them and because pot holders get dipped in pizza sauce and all sorts of other delicious foods from time to time. I think it’s best to go with a relatively robust print that will withstand normal kitchen use.

Churn Dash Pot Holder

Churn Dash Pot Holder

After saying I wasn’t interested in making pot holders, I wanted to have a go at a half square triangle on a practice piece before I start my star cot quilt or my carpenter’s wheel.

I don’t have much left over fabric from the cutting I have done so far for the star cot quilt so if I get something wrong starting afresh might not be an option.

There’s something about the churn dash that appeals to me – probably its boldness, combined with being a traditional block design.

I had a rummage in my shoe box of scraps and grabbed a couple of fabrics from the stash and made a 9 inch block using the measurements in the Block Tool iPhone app that I reviewed a few days ago. It worked perfectly and I am now convinced that the Block Tool app was a real good buy, and a bargain, too.

The pot holder is filled with a double layer of cotton batting, made from scraps that I zig-zagged together, making sure that the join was vertical on one layer and horizontal on the next. I stitched the quilt block to the backing along three edges, like a pillowcase and then inserted the batting, which I’d cut exactly to size. Then I slip stitched the opening by hand (hate that part). To finish I ran a quarter inch seam around the perimeter and stitched in the ditch around the central square. I wasn’t keeping an eye on the time but it probably took me an hour to do.

This pot holder will be a gift and I can think of easily half a dozen people who would also like to have one.