Dancing Churndash is the name of a new pattern from Cut Loose Press designed by Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson of Sew Kind of Wonderful. The pattern requires the Quick Curve Ruler, which I’ve used on several projects. The ruler is in play right now because I’m participating in a summertime Quick Curve Ruler Sew-Along organized by Miss Cupcake.
I am loving how easily these blocks come together. The blocks finish at 15″ so four of these with a border around them would make a nice-sized baby quilt. Wouldn’t a scalloped border be a nice touch?
I’m going bigger with this quilt, though. I have a stack of rectangles already cut, waiting their turn with the Quick Curve Ruler. Back to work!
I knew right away that I wanted to join Thelma’s Sew-Along. I’m a huge fan of Sew Kind of Wonderful patterns, designed by sisters Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson. They recently designed some patterns for Cut Loose Press, and this one, Dancing Churndash, caught my eye:
Dancing Churndash. Pattern by Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson for Cut Loose Press.(Photo used with permission.)
Do you recognize the classic churn dash block? Helen and Jenny gave it a playful contemporary spin. I couldn’t wait to make it. The only problem was that the pattern wasn’t yet available when the Sew-Along began in June. Last week the patterns came in at the Pine Needle and I quickly scooped one up.
Like Thelma, I always make a test block before embarking on a project. Here is my test block:
Dawn’s test block, 15 1/2″ square
I’m using several fabrics from the Gray Matters line by Camelot Cottons plus some other greys and yellows in my stash. I reversed the values in Jenny and Helen’s version; my background is white and the narrow center strips are dark.
For the narrow center strips I used a Daiwabo cotton sateen that gradates from medium dark grey at the selvage ends to very pale grey in the center. The strips are a little too dark, I think. I may replace them with strips cut a bit farther away from the selvages, hence lighter.
Even so, I’m happy with my test block. The pattern calls for a 3 x 3 grid of 15″ blocks, with the quilt finishing at 45″ square. I’m thinking about making a 4 x 5 grid so that my quilt finishes at 60″ x 75″ — a nice lap size. I might even put borders on it to make it larger.
Thelma has already finished her Quick Curve Ruler quilt top, and so have a few others who joined her Sew-Along. Despite my late start I should be able to get my quilt top done before the deadline. After all, Labor Day is still five weeks away!
That’s the name of this quilt I recently finished based on the pattern Urban Tiles by Jenny Pedigo of Sew Kind of Wonderful. It’s such a cheerful little quilt!
Hunky-Dori, 57″ Square (2013)
Why the name Hunky-Dori? You’ve probably heard the expression “hunky-dory,” which essentially means “fine and dandy.” Well, that’s how this quilt makes me feel! Four of the fabrics, including the focus fabric in the middle of each block, are from the Dori line by Mitzi Powers for Benartex. Just a little play on words.
Of the remaining fabrics, the chartreuse fabric next to the focus fabric is by Windham and the white-on-white background fabric is by P&B Textiles. Fans of Violet Craft’s Madrona Road line for Michael Miller will recognize the small blue and white print next to the outer green curves. The fabric on the back of the quilt is also part of the Dori line.
Just for fun, I made a label for the back shaped like the tile block on the front:
The photo above also gives you a better look at the lovely edge-to-edge quilting done by longarm quilter Janice Hays.
Hunky-Dori is on display at the Pine Needle Quilt Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon. If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by for a look. And if you’re inclined to make your own version of Urban Tiles, I’m teaching a class in October at the Pine Needle. Kits available!
