OK.. here we go.. I am not including yardages as I tend to let the fabric available let me know how large the quilt will be. Perhaps later we'll work on figuring out yardages.. soo.. here we go. The first picture is a sketch of the basic block.
Churn Dash. The next few will be how to cut out the parts of the block.. As you can see, the basic pattern is a 9 patch. The final block will measure 12.5" x 12.5", unfinished. The center or focal block which we are going to fussy cut will be 4.5" square. I am using a June Taylor 4.5" square ruler that is transparent to aid me in cutting the center blocks. (seen in picture #2.)

Next we're going to choose fabrics for the framing colors and cut the components to make those bits. I chose to use green prints as my "consistant" color, and decided to pull a color from each of the fussy cut centers for the second color. The next pictures will show the following.
#4) cutting 2.5" strips for the side blocks
#5) cutting 4 7/8" strips for corner blocks
Did I mention that we're going to go for techniques to make this a wee bit faster? Don't worry.. it's also the easiest way to do it.
#6) cutting the 4 7/8" strips into 4 7/8" squares.

One thing I almost forgot to mention. I cut some strips lengthwise of fabric lengthwise and some crosswise.. for this pattern I don't think it makes a lot of difference. Another hint.. don't forget to cut off the selvages. and that includes all the little holes in my opinion.. this part will frequently shrink more than the fabric proper.

Now for the fun.. take the two 4 7/8" squares, put the right sides together and even the edges up. Now take a pencil or fabric pen and mark a diagonal line from top left to bottom right corner. This is the guide and cutting line for our corner squares. you're going to put the edge of your 1/4" foot on that line and stitch 1/4" on either side of that line.
Next you're going to cut on that line, leaving 1/4" seam allowance on each side. You need to make 2 of these square units.

OK.. now do the second pair of squares the same way.. then take both sets to the ironing board. Press as is to "set" the stitches.. then press open.. I always press toward the green so everything fits well and I'm consistent. And what do you know.. now you have 4 corner squares. So take them back to your mat or get out the scissors and clip off those little "dog ears" to make them look nice.

Now we're going to make the second kind of squares.. these are the sides and top and bottom. So take the two 2.5" strips, put them right sides to right sides and stitch down one long side using a 1/4" seam. Now take that strip to the ironing board and again press closed to "set" the stitches,, then press open.. pressing the seam (for me) to the green side.

Now using that handy little 4.5" square ruler (you can do this with a regular see through ruler too) lets cut that strip into 4.5" squares.

Now you have all of the components for your block.. you should have 4 "diagonal" corner blocks, 4 (2) two strip blocks, and one fussy cut block..
I lay mine out on a big surface to figure out which color I want to directly "frame" the fussy cut square. Here you'll see the two alternatives. (not sewn yet)

I chose option #1 as you will see. Now you just take the squares and assemble your block.. I do the top 3 as a row.
Then assemble the second row.. then the 3rd.. now take them all and ...........that's right!!....... Head for the ironing board and set and press your seams. on the top and bottom, I press the seam toward the center block. On the center row, I press the seams toward the outside. when I assemble the 3 rows I press the seams away from the center of the block.. so now it lays nice and flat and doesn't have any big "chunky" seams.

Now that wasn't so hard.. was it..........
here are a few more that I made tonight.

That's all there is to it.. it really goes quickly once you get started. If you have questions, just let me know. Once I get the blocks done I'll take you through assembling the top.
and if you want me to I'll try to write up a short "class" on figuring the yardage for a top.
The fabric I chose for my fussy cut blocks was awesome as it is spaced perfectly so you don't waste a lot with cutting out the birds.

What a great tutorial, Tippy. Excellent instructions and pictures! THANK YOU!!
shirley

Tippy Very good.... Love the birds that is waht my mother likes.... but since her stroke I am not sure what she likes now....

Great job on the easy to follow instructions and the awesome project.

Great tut!

Great job on the TUT!!!

Nice tutorial. Thanks.

Well done tutorial!

Tippy, the whole project is so wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.

Blessings,
Ruth

I love these blocks! They are fun to make too! You did a great job on the tut!

I love it!! Thank you so much. And yes please, to the offer of yardage figuring, etc.

Great tute

sorry about your mom, i would think that she would still like birds, tho she may not be able to show it.
great tutorial.

Love the churn dash block and now with the fussy cut center it is even more attractive. I love your combinations of colors to enhance the centers.

The instructions are so clear. Thanks for the tutorial. I always need ideas and the fussy cut center is so pretty.

oh,my gosh ,you are an angel, I bought this same fabric almost a year ago and being a new quilter I did not know what to do with it,thank you ,thank you. I will look forward to your next tutorial to finish the top.I couldn't find the panel you are using for the backing,though.

thanks so much. your blocks are gorgeous!

would you tell the name of the fabric?. thank you

excellent!! thanks for well done job, beautiful.

Tippy,

What a wonderful tutorial! How creative of you to use a fussy cut for the center block -- who would have thought of that? -- well, you did! I appreciate the advice, too, about selecting colors to go with the fuzzy cut square. This tutorial makes me feel like you are sitting right with me giving me guidance. Thank you so much.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Are you going to make the fussy cut churn dash quilt for her? She probably still loves birds even if she doesn't express it anymore.

Your fabric is beautiful. I would also like the name of the fabric and where it can be bought.
Thanks for the tute!

Wonderful job on your tutorial. your block are beautiful. Do you think I could do this with an applique center square???

Thanks for the very clear and precise tute. Love the fabric as well. Look forward to seeing the finished quilt. I love your idea of using the panel in the backing making a reversible quilt. Beautiful!

What a great tutorial - you are a born teacher :-) Timing was good, too, as I have some Christmas fabric with beautiful cardinals that I was trying to decide how to use. Thanks!

OK.. Here's the information so many are asking.. I got the fabric at Wal Mart.. the information on the selvege is Spring Creative Products Group.. Wild Wings by Rosemary Millette. The panel is called Bird Sanctuary. You are all so sweet with your compliments.. Wish I could take all of the creative credit.. but I must admit that one of the Drs I work with is a quilter who works at the hospital weekends. A couple of weeks ago she came in to work.. saw me and said "I have something for you".. ran out and came in with a bag of quilt blocks.. (it was so funny as we work in the operating room). Don't worry it was a lull in the activity.. everyone looked stunned..lol.. she said I'll pay you XX dollars if you can get these done for me this weekend. Well.. of course I did it.. and the blocks were similar to these..I loved the birds so much I wanted to find something similar to do and when I went to Wal Mart the next day... ta da!!! There was the same fabric.. which I snatched up.. but thanks for thinking I'm that smart. Honestly you can dress up MANY blocks with a bit of fussy cutting. And this fabric is great as the way the birds are printed there is almost NO waste!! very unusual with fussy cutting.

I see no reason that you couldn't. just make sure your "bits" are all in proportion.

Thanks so much for that information bernice!! also very handy for those friends north of the border.. you're a gem!!

Thanks!

Thank you so much for the great tut, I can't wait to find material and try it...your awesome

This is great!! Soooooo easy and just precious. This gives me an idea on how to use up that sports material that's been just sitting there. Great job!!!