A little while back I saw Jane Davidson's adorable nested Churn Dash block (meaning a churn dash inside a churn dash inside a churn dash...) and thought it was so clever. (Clearly, we've all had churn dash quilts on the brain.) So when she asked if I'd like to be a part of a tour of Nested Churn Dash blocks I said sure! Aaaand .... here is my version.
I had in mind the colors that I wanted to use and had a great time pulling fabrics from my stash that fit that vision. I love how it turned out. I played with scraps for the smaller, inside blocks. The matryoshka dolls were a little scrap from my pink scrap bin that had been waiting a few years now for just the right project. It seems fitting to have nesting dolls in a nested churn dash block. (It's a Japanese print that I bought about 6 or so years ago. I'm not sure what it is.)
I quilted my mini quilt using my new favorite machine-quilting method on my BERNINA. It's so fast and easy. (Which seems to be my style lately.) I like how the quilting gives texture to the solid areas. I also like how the solid fabrics contrast with the bigger prints. Those two outside churn dash blocks are great areas for showing off large-scale fabrics.
I did my quilting using these two shades from Aurifil. I tend to use neutral threads constantly, but I'm trying to break out of my neutral-rut and add more color to my quilts. I love how these two colors blended in with the quilt - still kind of neutral, but with some color too. The blue is #2805 and the green is #1231.
Look at this beautiful version made by Jane using Moda collections April Showers and Happy Go Lucky by Bonnie and Camille. Jane has a post with measurements for different quilt sizes using the nested churn dash block as well as tips and ideas for choosing fabrics.
Be sure to check out the rest of Jane's posts each day this month - there is so much good information, hints, and tips such as how to match up points, choosing fabric, half-square-triangle techniques, etc from other quilters who have made their own blocks.
You can also see other versions of the blocks on these blogs:
June 9th - Carrie Nelson - https://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/
June 10th - Kim Niedzwiecki - https://www.gogokim.blogspot.com.au
June 11th - Pat Sloan - https://www.blog.patsloan.com
June 12th - Lissa Alexander - https://www.modalissa.blogspot.com
June 13th - FatQuarterShop - https://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com.au
June 16th - Frances Newcombe - https://www.bellybuttonsboutique.blogspot.com
June 18th - Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com
June 19th - Sara Lawson - https://www.sewsweetness.com
June 20th - Amy Smart - https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/ (moi)
June 21st - Katy Jones - https://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com
June 23th - Making a quilt using the Nested Churn Dash block.
June 30th - Finishing the quilt.
July 30th - Winners selected from the Flickr group.
At the end of the month, Jane will be sharing tips on finishing your block. If you want to play along, you can upload your finished blocks or projects to the Flickr Group to win some beautiful Aurifil thread packs and other great prizes. Use #NestedChurnDash on IG, FB, Flickr and twitter. Winners will be announced 30th July 2014.
Rose
Your posts are always full of ideas and creativity... visit you is a pleasure for my eyes and for my soul!<br />R
amy smart
That is just the nicest thing to say. Thank you.
cockney blonde
Stunning creation, x
Debbie
This turned out darling - love your fabric and color choices...oh and the quilting!
ChristaQuilts
It's so adorable - I love it! Perfect quilting choice too 🙂 Gotta love that Bernina!!
Paula @ Sewy Stuff
It always amazes me how a block can look so different (almost like an entirely different pattern) just by the different fabric choices.
amy smart
I know! It's been so fun seeing the other blocks people have made, just to see the variety of looks.
Paula @ Sewy Stuff
And .... I ordered the pattern ........ I need a few extra hours in the day (and dollars in the bank) to make everything I see and love and want to make!!
Laura
I just love the nesting doll fabric in the center of this one. It's so cute and adorable!
Katy Cameron
Nice idea to kind of rainbow it
Karen
I love your block with the rainbow of colors. The matryoshkas are the cherry on top, so to speak.
Samplings from Spring Creek
WOW! Beautiful and so clever--never saw this before I may have to try it
Pamela
VERY cute!
Sigi G
Love your colors and how it goes from darker red to the light blue.
Barbara McD
What a gorgeous block you've made! I'm now inspired to plan to make one for myself!!
Kristina
I LOVE the nested Matroyshka dolls in the center! Gotta find that fabric!<br />
Rebecca Grace
Your fabric choices are always so spot-on. I love the brighter quilting threads you chose this time, too, and what a fantastic use for your last little scrap of nesting doll fabric!
A Quilter's Mission
great fabrics and quilting!