Churn Dash Big Block Quilt Patterns for Beginners
If you’re looking for a fast, satisfying project that still has big visual impact, you’re going to love these Churn Dash Big Block Quilt Patterns for Beginners. This post is a follow up to my original Churn Dash Quilt Block Tutorial and shows you how I turned those oversized 17″ blocks into 7 different quit patterns. All of these are free quilt patterns can be made start to finish on your home sewing machine. When you use a giant block, you can make a larger quilt faster. Perfect for a beginner quilter or any skill level!
Whether you want a quick baby gift or a cozy throw for your couch, these big blocks make quilt top assembly lightning fast. Fewer blocks = fewer seams = faster finish.
Free Big Block Quilt Patterns
The big block patterns in this post are all made using the 17″ Churn Dash big block. Quilters of all skill levels can piece this simple 9-patch block with ease. The Churn Dash block is made with half square triangle units, rectangle units and a simple square in the center. My free quilt block patterns use basic quilting skills, 1/4″ seam allowance and straight lines to create quilts of all sizes. It takes a classic quilt block and updates it to a more modern design. If you’ve never made a big quilt block, give it a try and see how fast your quilt comes together.
Why Big Blocks Are a Beginner’s Best Friend
Big blocks mean you don’t need to sew dozens of pieces to make a quilt. These 17″ churn dash blocks are simple to cut, quick to piece, and perfect for practicing accurate seams and pressing. Plus large blocks show off prints and bold fabric combos beautifully. The Churn Dash block does a great job of showing off each of the fabrics and packs a punch.
If you haven’t made the block yet, jump over to the original post for cutting instructions, fabric requirements and a printable version from my pattern shop.
Fabric Requirements
The cutting information is in my original quilt block post but you should use two different colors for each block. One background fabric and one print from your fabric collection. White background with primary solids or pastel solids for the churn dash portion looks really hot. You can make it scrappy and use up lots of different fabric combinations, even geometric shapes or large prints. That’s the beauty of big blocks. My examples don’t use a large mix of colors but I do use the same two colors of red and green in different prints to make a big impact in the overall look of my quilts.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THESE OUT!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners. It’s jam packed with information to make your first quilt. It also has links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. There’s lots of free quilt patterns that are great for beginners and all skill levels too. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
Make sure you grab a copy of my free Quilt Planning Journal. It’s filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design at least 4 quilt or sewing projects! Use it to jot down ideas, fabrics, patterns and inspiration all in one place. Or create your own patterns and share with others. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!
Quilt Examples Using Big Churn Dash Blocks
Here are the actual quilt layouts used in the chart below. These layouts are easy to scale up or down depending on how many blocks you want to make. I’m using the 17″ churn dash big block to show you the live layout for all the quilt sizes in the chart below. My favorite way to do these Churn Dash blocks is to have 2 solid prints and don’t use any white or low volume fabric. So color with color blocks or bright color or print fabric with white or off white or a neutral background to show off the dashes.
For my blocks, I’m using leftover fabric yardage from a Christmas quilt so it’s reds, greens and low volume prints. Just playing around with them and seeing what I like best and sharing with you.
Make a Quilt with This Block
Here’s how many 17″ blocks you need depending on the quilt size:
| Quilt Size | Layout | Finished Size |
| Table Runner | 1 x 3 blocks | 17″ x 51″ |
| Baby Quilt | 2 x 2 blocks | 34″ x 34″ |
| Lap Quilt | 3 x 3 blocks | 51″ x 51″ |
| Throw Quilt | 3 x 4 blocks | 51″ x 68″ |
| Throw Quilt | 4 x 4 blocks | 68″ x 68″ |
| Twin Quilt | 3 x 5 blocks | 51″ x 85″ |
| Queen Quilt | 4 x 5 blocks | 68″ x 85″ |
1. Table Runner – 1 x 3 Layout
- Quilt size: 17″ x 51″
- Blocks used: 3 (1 rows of 3)
- Details: Simple layout with or without sashing and borders. I used mixed blocks with one having two colored prints and the other one print and a low volume background fabirc.
- Backing: A single piece of a complimentary fabric from the blocks is a good choice.
2. Baby Quilt – 2 x 2 Layout
- Quilt size: 34″ x 34″
- Blocks used: 4 (2 rows of 2)
- Details: Simple layout with no sashing or borders. I used high-contrast prints for this one to really show off the churn dash shape.
- Backing: A single piece of flannel is an excellent choice or minky fabric would be awesome too.
You can make big blocks with a low volume or white background and a print for the Churn Dash (see below). Or you can it with all print blocks and no low volume or white fabric for the background. You can also have a mix of blocks like the photo above. So many options to choose from. I was trying to use up some Christmas fabric leftover from the Christmas quilt I recently finished.
This example is to push the blocks side by side with no borders or sashing. Most modern quilts don’t use borders so if you want to keep this big block quilt pattern modern, just use the blocks only. If the quilt isn’t big enough, you could add a border around the finished quilt top to add to the size and it would still be modern.
3. Lap Quilt – 3 x 3 Layout
- Quilt size: 51″ x 51″
- Blocks used: 9 (3 rows of 3)
- Details: This one was made with a mix of two print blocks and low volume with print blocks. I would add a 3″ border all around for extra size and a finished look. Then it would be the perfect picnic or outdoor concert blanket.
- Quilting: Straight line quilting on the diagonal with a walking foot using the Stitch in the Ditch method and letting the blocks stand out. Or try free motion quilting with squiggly lines. Suzy Quilts has a great video tutorial for hand quilting.
4. Throw Quilt – 3 x 4 Layout
- Quilt size: 51″ x 68″
- Blocks used: 12 (3 rows of 4)
- Design: You could easily turn this into a twin size quilt by adding borders and sashing. Or sew together and add a larger border around the outside of the quilt top. Machine quilt with diagonal lines through the center of the piece.
5. Throw Quilt – 4 x 4 Layout
- Quilt size: 68″ x 68″
- Blocks used: 16 (4 rows of 4)
6. Twin Quilt – 3 x 5 Layout
- Quilt size: 51″ x 85″
- Blocks used: 15 (3 rows of 5)
- Details: I made this quilt for my guest bed using scraps from my stash. The big blocks let me showcase each fabric, and the final layout came together super fast.
- Backing: To keep this scrappy, I may use the scrappy pieced backing with diagonal strips leftover from my Chevron Quilt project.
7. Queen Quilt – 4 x 5 Layout
- Quilt size: 68″ x 85″
- Blocks used: 20 (4 rows of 5)
- Details: A bold, high-contrast version using navy, mustard, and cream. Im going to add wide borders for extra drop on the sides of the bed.
- Binding: Machine binding with corner tags for gifting.
Tips for Customizing Your Layout
- Add sashing: Use strips between blocks for more breathing room and a different vibe.
- Add borders: A 3″ or 5″ border can dramatically change the final size.
- Scrappy version: These big block quilt patterns look terrific when you use different colors in the blocks. Use bright colors, Christmas colors, whatever you like.
Grab the Printable Version
Get the cheat sheet and full step-by-step printable pattern for this 17″ Churn Dash block and then make one or all of these quilt patterns.
Want more digital patterns? Browse my full pattern shop here »
Need help with what quilting supplies to buy? Go to the Resource page for a list of all my favorite quilting products.
Quilt Math Help
Need help adjusting block sizes for other projects? This handy Quilt Block Size Chart from Generations Quilt Patterns is a great resource for quilters at any level.
Recommended Quilting Supplies
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)
45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)
60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
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ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you’ll find easy to follow patterns, helpful tutorials and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Grab your fabric (or yarn) and let’s create something beautiful together! Read more about me here.
I hope you enjoy making these easy big block quilt patterns using simple techniques in different layouts to get your perfect size finished quilt. Taking a tradition design with the classic churn dash block and giving it a more modern style just by changing the block size. I’m going to try making another large block quilt with another classic quilt block soon.
Looking for free beautiful quilt patterns? Check out my “Pattern Index” to find your next quilt project.
Happy sewing! Let me know if you make this one and tag me @sewnikki6 on Instagram so I can cheer you on!
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Want to learn how to crochet? Check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.
