Friday, January 17, 2025

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Project 1

I really enjoyed making my Scrappy Stars in 2023, and last year had a glimmer (yup, one of those moments) when I thought I might be able to do a churn dash block using the same idea—crumbs and strips in the colour of the month to make the main components of the block. Once I had Cradled finished and blogged, I got out my graph paper, fired up my math brain, and created a 15" block.

I love it! I plan to make nine for a quilt which I intend to give to the Windsor Sexual Assault Centre as I do each year for a child. The tutorial is below if you’d like to make this scrap-(sort of)-busting block.

Tutorial for Scrappy Churn Dash Block

As with the Scrappy Star, I made two slabs of fabric, one with strips, the other with crumbs.
Materials
small scraps/crumbs and strips in pink (or whatever colour)
background fabric: two rectangles 6" x 11" and 6" x 12"
one 5 ½" square of either background or fussy cut fabric

Construction
1. Using fabric crumbs, make a rectangle that measures approximately 6" x 11".
2. Using fabric strips, make a second rectangle that measures 6" x 12".


3. Place a background piece of fabric (mine is white) atop each rectangle right sides together. If you, like me, do not have a scrap of white fabric 6" x 11", then you can place two 3" x 11" rectangles side by side on top of the crumb rectangle. Because my scrap of white wouldn't even give me those two rectangles, I used one 3" x 11" rectangle and two 3" x 5.5" rectangles. I am determined to work only from my scrap and strip boxes!

4. Draw a horizontal line across the 6" x 11" BG rectangle at the 3" point which will bisect it in two. Stitch ¼" on either side of the drawn line.

5. Draw a vertical line at the 6" point of  the 6" x 12" rectangle which will bisect it into two 6" squares. Then draw a diagonal line from each corner to the 6" point you marked as shown. Sew ¼" on either side of the line.

6. For the 6" x 11" crumbs rectangle, cut apart on the drawn line; press the seams open, and then trim the two rectangles into four 5½” squares.

7. For the 6" x 12" strips rectangle, cut apart on the line to yield four HSTs. Press seams to the background and trim these to 5½" square.


8. Lay out the nine squares as shown. You'll notice the white for the HSTs is different from that for the double-rectangle squares. Often the more variation, the more interest in a quilt!

9. Join the squares into three rows. Press the seams for the top and bottom row toward the HSTs, and for the centre row toward the centre square. Sew the three rows together, pressing seams to one side or open.
The block should measure 15½" square.

My pink strips are nearly to the top of the small plastic container in which they sit, so while I had them out, I decided to make a placemat to give to Meals on Wheels. My intention is to create one each month as another project for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.



This is made entirely of scraps: it used up a bunch more strips, a 12" x 18" chunk of print that has kicked around forever (I made balloon shades and a duvet cover for our bedroom in the early 90s with it, a gorgeous cotton), and a bunch of batting strips. I have a pretty good 12" wide length of the backing fabric, so I may make a few more placemats with it. I also used strips of batting that I trim from quilted quilts, butting them up against each other horizontally. I sew the strips right sides together on top of the layered backing and batting strips, which quilts the placemat at the same time and secures the strips. I've made placemats using this method which we use on a daily basis. They've gone through multiple washes and are just fine!

If you decide to sew up the Churn Dash block, please tag me on Instagram @mmmquilts
I'm still there, but contemplating leaving, as it's not the place it used to be, especially very recently with the horrible changes Meta has made. I just joined Bluesky but I was never a Twitter user, so it's not at all user-friendly to me at this moment. Maybe TikTok and I will become friends. I do have TikTok just never post anything. Stay tuned!

A new issue of my favourite magazine, Make Modern, just dropped last night. As usual, it's full of quilty inspiration. I am an affiliate and a happy subscriber, and three-time contributor! Clicking the link or the graphic will take you to the subscription page where you can purchase the downloadable issue or a subscription.



12 comments:

  1. You have some very pretty pink scraps. The unicorn in the center of your churn dash is really fun. Looks like a very fun project for RSC this year.

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  2. That is an awesome use of those strips and little pieces. Really a fun block!

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  3. Sandra. What is Threads? Seems same as Instagram, or came from there. I guess I should google instead of asking you. Finished Pop Star top and it looks great. Will post when my quilt holder gets home or maybe on Saturday. See you Zoom tomorrow. joanneembury@gmail.com

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  4. I love the way you constructed the Churn Dash block and how it keeps the pieced stripes running the same way in the block (you know I love that kind of detail)!! The nine patch quilt is going to be a lovely and love filled donation that I am sure is going to mean a lot to its recipient.

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  5. Hi Sandra! You amaze me. Every time I see a post from you, you provide me with inspiration and the urge to drop every thing and make it. My one and only little who is a girl just turned six. She is SO into unicorns and all thing sparkly (it's so fun to shop for her). So what do my eyes see but a fussy cut unicorn surrounded by all thing pink. And a churn dash to boot! Does it get any better?! I'm still mulling over the Santa's belt pillow for Dayna, and now I have a unicorn project to add to my list. I am not on TikTok and never going to be since it may/may not be banned - no interest in sharing my info with China any more than they already have. I am terrible on social media lately - I just don't have time for it even though I love seeing what my friends are up to. Thankfully, I'll continue to get an email when you have a post! {{Hugs}} a bunch. Give an extra treat to my buddies, please. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  6. Love, love, love, this block. I’m definitely saving, somehow, this tutorial. I, too, am thinking about giving up on Facebook and Instagram and all things Meta. I’m just not sure it solves anything. Haven’t looked into BlueSky and I don’t do Twitter or TickTock.

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  7. That's a great block and great idea to use string pieced fabric to make it! Love the unicorn in the center.

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  8. I love the churn dash block & that is a great way to use scraps. It is one of those blocks you can get all sorts of ideas. I also had Make Modern pop into my inbox & have had a quick look. Take care & hugs.

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  9. Anytime you can say/write "made entirely of scraps" there's a great feeling!

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  10. I really love this! The centre is so much fun but the use of scraps is so great - another great block and technique from you!

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  11. What a great plan for all the buts and pieces. Nice job!

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