To my way of thinking, it is a challenge to try to fit random blocks together into a quilt top. It is usually easier to work with a set of similar, coordinated blocks.
But this was not necessarily the case with a group of 6 churn dash style blocks. (This block design is more appropriately called "Wrench". Unlike the true Churn Dash, the center units of the block are smaller than the corner 1/2 square triangle units.) These blocks date from the late 1800s, and were somewhat "wonky" to start. So how was I going to deal with the "wonkiness"?
Several years ago I had used a technique to frame blocks that made the blocks tip one way and another. Perhaps bordering the blocks this way would disguise the crookedness and slight size difference.
I found the instructions that I had followed in the past*, and using my favorite brown/black fabric, bordered the blocks. Three tipped to the right, and three to the left. The blocks were squared to 9 1/2".
My next decision was whether to set them right next to each other or to use a light sashing strip between the blocks. Each block would show off better with sashing between. But print fabric or plain? The print seemed to be too busy with the prints in the blocks, so 2" strips of muslin were cut for sashing and 2" squares of the black/brown fabric for cornerstones.
The sashing and cornerstones were continued around the outside of the blocks to border them. Once the piece is quilted, I will bind it with the brown/black fabric to finish it off.
This small quilt top measures ~23" x 33 1/2". It's the kind of quilt that I like to drape over the back of a chair, and I have the perfect spot in mind. :)
*The instructions I followed to border my blocks came from an old issue of Quick Quilts (vol. 13). The article was titled "Twist and Turn Sets". I discovered that the technique has been updated and improved. Check out NO WASTE WONKY FRAMED BLOCKS on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPpHJrUXCSk It's a fun and unique way to set quilt blocks!
