I made a large lap-size quilt for friends using the Churn Dash pattern. The patchwork blocks measured 12-inches when finished.
The quilt top was made with scraps, repro fabrics from stash, and some antique fabrics.
As I made the blocks, I knew that I would want one of these for my home, so I made doubles of every block.
The first quilt top, the one I planned to give away, was pieced with a 2-inch sashing and 2-inch posts in between the blocks. The border was 6-inches (unfinished).
This top was quilted on my longarm using a meandering feather panto. Here’s the finished quilt:
After I had completed the first quilt and sent it to my friends, I was ready to begin the second Churn Dash quilt top. Since I had already made 2 of each Churn Dash block when I made the blocks for the first quilt, I was well on my way to stitching that second quilt top.
I thought I’d make the next Churn Dash quilt a little larger so I went from a 3 x 4 block setting to a 4 x 5 block setting. Eight more Churn Dash blocks were needed for the second quilt top.
When those extra blocks were finished, I pinned them on my design wall and came up with the first setting arrangement:
I worked on the block arrangement until I found what was pleasing to my scrappy-eye. I wanted the second Churn Dash quilt to be different than the first one I made, so I added a thinner sashing and setting posts — these are 1.5-inches.
All of the blocks were assembled with the sashing and setting posts, then the quilt top was ready for an outer border.
The second Churn Dash top was loaded on the longarm. I used a different feather-vine panto to quilt this top:
I love my Churn Dash quilt and use it all the time!
I don’t think the two Churn Dash quilts look that similar even though they both have a dozen of the same patchwork blocks. To my eyes, the first quilt reads golden and lighter and the second quilt reads browner and more subdued. What do you think?
November 18, 2010 at 6:56 am
I agree. It looks to me like the borders and sashing made all the difference in what you see.
November 18, 2010 at 9:22 am
Hi Gene!!! That’s what I think — the sashing and borders, esp that sashing!
November 18, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Lynn,
Wonderful example of what happens when you change sashing …. the first one is happy … the second is much more comforting. The different setting have changed the mood. I love them both!
Judy B
November 29, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Hi Lynn — You’re Back!! So happy to see you posting again.
I love both of your quilts — it’s so interesting that two quilts can have that many duplicate blocks and still look completely different. I especially love the sashing fabric on the second quilt.
November 30, 2010 at 7:15 am
Judy, I’ve enjoyed doing wallhangings in a series before but until I had my longarm, larger bedsize quilts were undaunting. It’s fun to see how a few tweeks or fabric choices can change an overall look, isn’t it?
November 30, 2010 at 7:28 am
Hi Martha!! It was a great deal of fun making 2 very similar quilts. But as you see, in the end, the quilts don’t appear as doubles. It was a fun project and I thoroughly enjoyed giving one to friends. Thanks for stopping by! I need to head your way — I am scouting around for an embroidery design…..
December 30, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I am glad you’re back!!!! I love the churn dash block but have never seen it done in scraps as you have done. I love it.
December 31, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Hey Violette!!!! Hi there!!! I took a very long blog-break here but there were some family issues that needed quite a bit of attention. Still quilting, though! I’ll check your blog out today or tomorrow — it’s been so long since I’ve spent time on my friend’s quilt blogs. I’ve missed you guys!