Churndash Quilt Block: A Year of Blocks Workbook Guide

By Piece N Quilt | Published: 2026-10-26

Category: How-to Guides

Learn to stitch the classic Churndash quilt block with the Let's Stitch A Year of Blocks workbook. Get practical steps, common mistakes, and design tips.

Quick Answer

To create a crisp Churndash quilt block, focus on accurate cutting and consistent seam allowances, and use the Let's Stitch A Year of Blocks workbook to guide your piecing and quilting designs.

Why the Churndash Block Works for Year-Long Quilts

The Churndash block is a versatile classic that combines simple half-square triangles with a central square and strips. It's a great choice for a year-long quilt project because it can be repeated in different colorways without becoming monotonous.

Using a dedicated workbook helps you stay organized: each block page gives you a full-color reference and space for doodling your own variations. This is especially useful when you're planning a full year of blocks and want to keep your ideas consistent.

Step-by-Step Churndash Block Piecing Guide

Cut your fabric accurately: Cut squares for half-square triangles and the center strip set. Use a rotary cutter and ruler, and double-check measurements against your pattern. A common mistake is cutting slightly oversized pieces, which throws off the block's proportions. Always measure twice before cutting.
Sew half-square triangles: Pair your squares right sides together and sew on both diagonals to create four half-square triangles. Trim each to the exact unfinished size. Checkpoint: ensure all triangles are the same size to avoid a wonky block. Trim consistently for perfect points.
Assemble the block: Lay out your half-square triangles, center square, and strips in the Churndash arrangement. Sew rows together, pressing seams in opposite directions to reduce bulk. Common mistake: mixing up the orientation of triangles, which changes the design. Take a photo of your layout before sewing.
Square up the finished block: After assembling, trim the block to your desired finished size, making sure the seams are centered. Checkpoint: the block should lie flat and all corners should be sharp. A perfectly squared block makes quilting easier.
Plan your quilting designs: Use the workbook's machine quilting design pages to decide how you'll quilt each block. Doodle on the bonus pages to test ideas before you start. Common mistake: choosing a design that overwhelms the piecing. Let the block's simplicity shine with a complementary quilting design.

Workbook Support

Let's Stitch A Year of Blocks: Churndash Design Workbook: The Let's Stitch A Year of Blocks: Churndash Design Workbook includes 12 full-color Churndash quilt blocks, machine quilting designs, and 12 bonus doodle pages. This workbook gives you a structured way to practice both piecing and quilting designs for the Churndash block, making it easier to plan a cohesive year-long quilt.
Let's Stitch A Year of Blocks: Churndash Design Workbook