I love to set a public deadline for a pattern release, as I’m the kind of person who thrives on having a deadline to work towards… so when it came time to get Double Dash happening, well, what better day than my birthday to set as release day! (does this mean I get double the cake?!)
Double Dash is a fun and modern version of the classic churn dash quilt, with two different block designs – Block 1 features the prints as the churn dash, and Block 2 features the background as the churn dash. Which is partly where the “double” comes from in the title. The other part of the double is that there are two block size options included in the pattern – 12″ or 15″!
Both block sizes work with small scraps and layer cakes, fat eights and fat quarters, and yardage! I love how quick a quilt comes together when working with a larger quilt block size like 15″ finished. But there’s also something about the classic 12″ quilt block that just seems so right. Either way, you really can’t go wrong, especially when the pattern is currently on sale for just $9 (normally $12)…
Click here to buy the PDF pattern
Click here to preorder the paper pattern (expected early next week)
About Double Dash
I must tell you the story behind this design before I share more about the version I made, as there is some design credit to share around here. Double Dash was first inspired by this quilting bee quilt top that I finished up earlier this year. The quilt blocks had been sitting in my sewing room in three houses, across two states, and two countries, having been sent to me as part of a bee in 2012.
As I was piecing the top, I could not remember where the pattern for the blocks had come from, and I was determined to hunt it down, but in the meantime, I had devised a way of strip piecing the blocks. When I shared the finished top, a helpful reader pointed me to the original source – the Funky Wrench quilt block by Monica from Happy Zombie. Hooray for being able to credit the design!
Monica’s tutorial is a different method of construction – she shares how to make the two different block layouts (a print churn dash and a background churn dash) by using charm squares. The method I had come up with while piecing the top is different, and works with small scraps to precuts to yardage. So I decided to contact her and ask if I was able to share my version, be it a full pattern or a simple blog tutorial.
And Monica said yes! She was even the one who said I should do the 12″ AND the 15″ block size options, as I mentioned I couldn’t decide which was better. So if you can’t decide which one to make, you can blame her, ha! But seriously, it was really special to have such a kind and open response to this type of request, because not everyone would be so willing to give their blessing.
Thank goodness she said yes, because in the process of making this quilt pattern, I’ve become quite enamoured with the strip-piecing method of piecing quilt blocks. As someone who loves to batch task by fully finishing each step of the quilt-making process before moving onto the next (i.e. piece all the half-square triangles at one time, then trim them all at one time, etc)
Double Dash also includes instructions for nesting your seams, which is helpful when matching the seams within your quilt blocks. If that’s not your jam, ignore me press open as you like 😉
The Alison Glass Double Dash Quilt
I don’t usually make my quilt pattern samples with someone in mind, but this pattern is the exception with both destined for nephews! The pattern cover sample is a Christmas present for one of my (many!) nephews, so I wanted to choose some fun, modern, bright colours that would look beautiful on my pattern cover, but also suit a boy for many years to come. Enter Alison Glass.
Already knowing the colours I wanted to work with – blue, green, yellow and orange – I chose four Insignia prints as a base that practically read as solids, and then four matching prints from her older ranges to match. I love it when a designer’s fabrics mix and match throughout the ages so beautifully!
This Double Dash quilt is backed in an Emma Jean Jansen wideback, and the quilting was done by Katrina Wilson – a fun design called Plaza that has a bit of movement, but not too soft or flowery.
Pattern Sale
The Double Dash pattern is on sale this week for just $9 (normally $12) for both the PDF and the paper pattern. The pattern is at the printer right now, and I expect it to arrive early next week, so if you’d like to preorder that at the sale price, it’s a great time to do it!
Click here to buy the PDF pattern
Click here to preorder the paper pattern
I cannot wait to see your Double Dash quilts! Share them on Instagram using #DoubleDashQuilt and #blossomheartquilts, and feel free to tag me too – @blossomheartquilts.
Chyrll Lincoln says
Is there $3 fee for PDF pattern?
Alyce says
The PDF is only $9, and the paper pattern is $9 + postage (which is what I’m assuming you’re referring to as the $3 fee??)