Bejewled Churn Dash Quilt Block Tutorial

Hi sewing friends! A dear reader asked if I had a tutorial for my Bejeweled Churn Dash quilt. I am happy to oblige...

But first lets take a look at my finished quilt!

For more photos of this finished quilt and info about the soft voile I backed it with check out my Finished Bejeweled Churn Dash Quilt

Bejewled Churn Dash Quilt Block Tutorial

One finished block measures 12'' square.

For 1 block you'll need:
white fabric
2 colored solids
2 prints.

For 25 blocks you'll need:
5 solid Fat Quarters
5 print Fat Quarters
1 1/ 2yard ??? white fabric (not sure how much white I used).

To make one Churn Dash Block:

From the white fabric:
Cut 4 rectangles 2 1/2'' x 5''
Cut 2 squares 5" x 5" then cut along the diagonal into 4 Half Square Triangles

From each colored fabric:
Cut 1 rectangle 2 1/2'' x 5''
Cut 1 square 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" then cut along both diagonals to create 4 Quarter Square Triangles You'll just need three of these for one block so set one little triangle aside.

Here is a visual of how everything is sewed together. Sew all seams with a scant quarter inch seam allowance. You basically make NINE 4 1/2'' squares and then sew them all together.

You can lay every block out and then assemble it square by square but I came up with a faster way to piece it all with out having to think too much about it. After you get the hang of it that is.  Here is the method I used to make sewing up 1 block go as fast as I could. When I sewed it up this way it took me about 15 minutes per block.and i didn't have to lay it all out first.

MY SPEED METHOD

First sew all the white rectangles to a colored rectangle keeping them together in a chain for speed.

Next grab your piles of small triangles and sew them up with right sides together in this order. See if you can follow me.

The first color mentioned goes on the top. 
Sew all the triangles so the "flags" go the same direction.

Refer to the photos below.


Print 1/Solid1
Print 1/Solid1
Solid 1/Print2
Print 2/Solid2
Print 2/Solid2
Solid 2/Print 1

In Kindergarten terms, here's another way to see the pattern.

A/C
A/C
C/B
B/D
B/D
D/A

Here's a view with them all opened up so you can see the color pattern.

Next, press the triangles open.

 You see how 2 set of QSTs are the same? Take one of each of these sets and sew them together to make the center block. Next, sew a white HST to each one of the remaining QST sets. Trim all blocks to 4 1/2 inches square. Then sew them together row by row.

Once you make as many blocks as you'd like lay it all out and spread the color out evenly. In this formation I think it looks like each churn dash is sitting on a jewel.

It takes more thought and planning, but look at the cool pattern that emerges when you lay them out with the same colors touching each other. I discovered this after I sewed all my blocks and I only could make it work for 2 rows so I stuck with the random layout. I would love to sew up another quilt with this layout instead. Someday!

 Let me know if you use my tutorial! I'd love to see what you make!
 Happy Sewing!