Thanks for all the Liberty Bib love! As I mentioned in my last post, I also made a few quilt blocks when I was making the bibs. I made some of these little 3″ Churn Dash blocks a month or so ago and I wasn’t sure if I’d want to continue making them. I think a quilt of hundreds of these little blocks would be so cute. I posted those first three on Instagram, wondering if I would be dead before I could make enough for a whole quilt, and the comments were so fun and supportive that they sent me over the edge. They’re time consuming little blocks, but, as Jan said, if I just keep chipping away at them, sooner or later, I’ll have enough to make a big quilt.
So, now I have a plan. I think I calculated that I’ll need around 360 of them. I’ll probably start out making three of each print and work on them for the next few years. They’re just so sweet and I love them!
I had a question about the dimensions of these little blocks, so I thought I’d show you how I made them — in chalkboard form.
Cut your pieces as indicated.
Just a little summary ;-D.
Stitch pieces together (right sides together!) as indicated. For the squares, draw a diagonal line on each of the 2″ white squares of fabric, pair each with a print fabric, and then sew a 1/4″ line on each side of that pencil line. Then cut along the pencil line.
Using your favorite method, square those little half-square triangles up. They should measure 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ when you’re done. It’s a tedious job, but it makes your final square so much more accurate!
Another summary. Be sure you’re pressing your seams to the print fabric side (we don’t do open seams in ThimbleannaLand!). Cut that 6″ strip into four 1 1/2″ lengths.
Sew together as indicated.
Press seams in the direction of the arrows.
Sew together as indicated. If you followed pressing instructions, your seams should nest right up against each other.
And … you’re done! Press those last two seams as indicated by the arrows.
Itty Bitty Churn Dash blocks are fun. Especially out of beautiful Liberty fabrics!
And, if that wasn’t fun enough, I thought you might like a picture of the squirrel buffet that BigDaddy is running at his house. This is the view from the kitchen table — MeMum and BigDaddy can eat their breakfast and dinner with the squirrels just 12 feet away. You can’t see it in the picture, but, just to the left of the feeder is a small Chinese Maple tree where there were two more squirrels waiting for their turn at the feast. BigDaddy loves his animals — No Squirrel Left Behind!
Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
Love, Love, Love the churn dash blocks ! Our squirrels are going crazy this winter too, we have been giving them peanuts:)
Cute! I was admiring your block on Instagram and thinking of making some so this will come in handy. Thanks!!
Lovely wee blocks, Anna. I like your way of showing how to make them. It appeals to my inner Maths teacher! :oD
squirrels always have to try to take over the bird feeders don’t they – I have a squirrel proof one and they are always on the ground right below getting what the birds knock out of it – those blocks sure are little bitty
Did I say that? Ha ~ I need to start taking my own advice!! The blocks are really cute, though (not to take anything away from them) anything shrunk down and made from Liberty is going to be a winner!!
Those squirrels made me laugh. Not so different from the situation outside our kitchen window which I have NOTHING to do with!
those could not be cuter!
Well, Anna, you know I love making the churn dash blocks. I’ve never make any that small though. Hmmmm……. maybe if I cut a lot of those little bitty units, I could use them as leaders and enders in between making other things. Just sayin. And if sweet Big Daddy would like more squirrels I’d be more than happy to try to arrange a Texas shipment for him.
A quilt of teeny tiny churn dashes will be so fabulous! Will they all be made with Liberty fabrics? Thank you for the lesson, I sat up straight and paid attention like a good student. Those squirrels are so cute and funny!! I bet they are entertaining to watch.
Churn dash is my favorite block and they look wonderful tiny and in Liberty…great idea :)
gotta to love a bit of squirrel watching, we used to have a huge picture window looking onto a deck, with bird feeders that the squirrels visited. We used to call it the “squirrel tv”
That teeny block makes my head hurt but man I love squirrels .
those are just too doggone cute – the churn dash blocks, not the skwerls – and now i am gonna tell myself “NO! do NOT make even ONE!!!” because they look like WAY more fun than what i HAVE to work on (till it’s done and THEN i can play)…
You go girl. 300+ mini churns, no problem.
Ha…and I thought I was crazy cause my Chubby Churn Dash blocks finish at 5in. But I do like the idea of cutting out a bunch and doing them over a loooong timeframe. Hugs!! (I do open seams a lot more in the last few years)
those blocks are adorable. esp out of LIBERTY!!!! Thanks for showing us the details. I had no idea that block was so complicated! (yeah- i’m a sew-tard) Love your little chalkboard tute.
So does Big Daddy start out, with feeding the birds in mind and then the squirrels take over? … or was it his intention to feed the squirrels. Either way, as long as they aren’t eating your patio furniture, i’m fine with it!
:waves madly
Love the cute little blocks, Anna!
Amalia
xo
It’s when I read a post like this that I realise I am really not a patcher … I am in awe of the patience you must have for cutting things up and sewing them back together again in ever more complicated ways!
Holy smack a doodles sunshine those are some small little churn dash – love them and of course how you showed them off rates up there as well. Your so dang clever. Ok we love our squirrels in this neck of the woods – yup feed them and laugh at them on a daily basis. We enjoy the wildlife that comes to visit at the Farmhouse and Mr. Farmhouse has a regular buffet going on for his critters – The Mister and BigDaddy could have quite the convo regarding their critters lol. Hugs
Oh my gosh! Those Churn Dash are adorable! I am in love! But I have to tell you that your chalkboard tutorial is the cutest thing I have seen yet! You are awesome!
I love churn dash blocks, one of my all time favourites, and your teeny weeny ones are so adorable, Anna! Liberty is the prefect fabric to make these little ones with, I think! I love how you showed the process with your wonderful chalkboard tutorial too.
Helen xox
I love the churn dash block, at my quilt guild we were all given a block to make something out of and I was given the churn dash for my block. I think I know what I’m going to do :)
Oh, we’ve been getting those wonderful visitors at our feeders as well :)
Those little churn dash blocks are to die for!
Thanks for the fun math! Sweet blocks! Cheers! Oh gotta tick that box. Well, I lied, I am a spammer! So there :oP