Beginner block
Churn dash quilt pattern
A queen-size churn dash quilt is 90″ × 102″: 56 12″ blocks and a 3″ border. It takes 10¼ yd of fabric for the top and binding, plus 8¼ yd of 42″ fabric for the backing. Named for the dasher in a butter churn. Also called Monkey Wrench and Hole in the Barn Door, it is a Shoofly with split side squares.
How much fabric for a churn dash quilt
The same quilt in three sizes, with a 3″ border and 2½″ binding. Yardage is for 42″ of usable width after trimming selvages, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard with a little extra.
| Throw | Queen | King | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished size | 54″ × 66″ | 90″ × 102″ | 102″ × 102″ |
| Blocks | 4 × 5 = 20 | 7 × 8 = 56 | 8 × 8 = 64 |
| Shirting (blocks, half-square triangles) | 1⅞ yd | 4¾ yd | 5½ yd |
| Turkey red (blocks, half-square triangles, border, binding) | 2½ yd | 5½ yd | 6¼ yd |
| Top and binding | 4⅜ yd | 10¼ yd | 11¾ yd |
| Backing (42″ fabric) | 3½ yd | 8¼ yd | 9¼ yd |
| Binding | 7 strips 2½″ × WOF | 10 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF |
| Batting | 62″ × 74″ (twin) | 98″ × 110″ (king) | 110″ × 110″ (king) |
Cutting for one churn dash block
Four half-square triangle units, four two-strip units and a centre square. All sizes include ¼″ seam allowances. Half-square triangles are made two at a time: cut squares the finished size plus ⅞″, pair a light and a dark, sew ¼″ each side of the diagonal and cut apart.
| Fabric | 6″ block | 7½″ block | 9″ block | 10½″ block | 12″ block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | 4 rectangles 1½″ × 2½″ | 4 rectangles 1¾″ × 3″ | 4 rectangles 2″ × 3½″ | 4 rectangles 2¼″ × 4″ | 4 rectangles 2½″ × 4½″ |
| Dash | 4 rectangles 1½″ × 2½″ | 4 rectangles 1¾″ × 3″ | 4 rectangles 2″ × 3½″ | 4 rectangles 2¼″ × 4″ | 4 rectangles 2½″ × 4½″ |
| Background | 1 square 2½″ | 1 square 3″ | 1 square 3½″ | 1 square 4″ | 1 square 4½″ |
| Background | 2 squares 2⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 3⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 3⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 4⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 4⅞″, cut once on the diagonal |
| Dash | 2 squares 2⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 3⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 3⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 4⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 2 squares 4⅞″, cut once on the diagonal |
Block diagram
- A Background (Shirting)
- B Dash (Turkey red)
Download the block diagram (SVG)
Prints sharp at any size. Use it to plan colours with pencils, or as a pressing guide.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for a queen churn dash quilt?
About 10¼ yd for the top and binding (4¾ yd of shirting, 5½ yd of turkey red), plus 8¼ yd of backing. That is for 90″ × 102″ with 12″ blocks, planned on 42″ of usable fabric width with a little extra.
What size is a churn dash block?
It is drawn on a 3 × 3 grid, so it works best at 6", 7 1/2", 9", 10 1/2", 12" finished. 12" is the most common size.
Is churn dash good for beginners?
Yes. It uses simple triangle units, and the seams are straight.
Can I use this pattern for free?
Yes. Churn dash is a traditional block in the public domain. The diagram and yardage on this page are free; the designer lets you change colours, size and borders and see the new yardage.
Updated November 9, 2026