June Block of the Month: Churn Dash

This month we are going to start using half square triangles.  You will need 4 different fabrics for this block.  The center block can have a large print on it.  For these directions I will be referring to the colors that I used, but you can use any color combination that you want.  First cut 2 squares (purple) 4 7/8" each.

Then cut them in half to make 4 triangles.

Do the same for the yellow fabric.

Next cut 4 pieces of yellow fabric at  2.5" x 4.5."

Cut 4 pieces of green fabric at 2.5" x 4.5."

Cut your focus fabric 4.5" squared.

I like to arrange my cut pieces where they will be when sewn together.  This helps me not make any mistakes when sewing them together.

Next sew your yellow and green rectangles together, and sew your purple and yellow triangles together. Iron the light sides towards the dark sides.

Then sew a half square triangle to a green and yellow square, and do this twice.  Make sure that the pieces are facing the right direction when doing this.  Then sew a yellow and green square to your focus fabric.  Then sew the other half square triangle to the other side of the 1st set of yellow and green squares.  Then sew the other green and yellow square to the other side of the focus fabric.  Press the top and bottom rows' seams towards the outer blocks (half square triangles).  Press the middle block's seams towards the focus block.  Then pin and sew your rows together.  Press (iron) the seams towards the middle row.

Here is the finished block  The block pattern is called Churn Dash.  I still need to trim the sides so that they are straight.  

The colors were inspired by this picture.  I wanted to add some yellow to my purple and green color scheme.  Green, yellow, and purple are a split complimentary color scheme.  That means that two of the colors are next to each other on the color wheel (green and yellow), and two are opposite from each other on the color wheel (purple and yellow).