Last week, I happily finished the Churn Dash quilt top that's my tribute to Donna Jordan! It's a vibrant, colorful mix of fabrics that already brings me so much joy and will definitely be an inspiration. I'm planning to quilt and finish it this weekend, and I can't wait to share photos of the completed piece with you all very soon.
Speaking of quilts, have you seen "The Quilters" on Netflix? It's an award-winning short documentary about men in a Missouri maximum-security prison who learn to design and sew beautiful, personalized quilts for foster children.
As you might imagine, these are strong men who have committed serious crimes. It wasn't a surprise to me, however, that they too found quilting to be incredibly transformative. Equally inspiring is how they're able to make these quilts and what they do with the finished pieces. All the machines, fabric, supplies, tools, and instructional materials in this unlikely studio are donated. I assume they come from the stashes and sewing rooms of people just like us who either passed away, stopped sewing, or simply had too much.
Some of the inmates interviewed shared how quilting opened them up to a softer side of themselves that might not have been expressed otherwise. Many were moved to tears when they received photos of the foster children holding the quilts they designed and gifted, and several credited their mothers or grandmothers with planting those early seeds of creativity. And, as women have demonstrated time and time again, deep bonds and friendships were nurtured as they created together.
The Churn Dash: History and a Fascinating Debate
My recent infatuation with the Churn Dash block led me down a rabbit hole of its history and symbolism.
The Churn Dash quilt block is a traditional pattern with roots in the 1800s. Its name cleverly reflects its design: the outer pieces resemble a butter churn, while the center square is the "dash" or stick used inside. This block was a favorite among quilters, especially pioneer women, because it uses basic shapes like triangles, rectangles, and squares, making it an excellent first pattern for young sewers. It's also known by many other names, including:
- Monkey Wrench
- Shoo Fly
- Wrench
- Hole in the Barn Door
- Lincoln's Platform
- Broken Plate
- Double Monkey Wrench
- Double T
- Dragon's Head
- Fisherman's Reel
- Hens and Chickens
- Indian Hammer
- Joan's Doll Quilt
These diverse names show how patterns traveled and evolved within communities, often taking on monikers from daily life or local stories.
Historically, women have often gathered in circles to create quilts, which served a variety of functions. One particularly captivating theory is that quilt patterns, including the Churn Dash, were used as secret codes to guide enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. This idea gained significant attention with the 1999 book "Hidden in Plain View" by Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond Dobard. The book was based on an oral history from Ozella Williams, a South Carolina quilter who claimed the code had been passed down through her family.
According to this theory, the Churn Dash (often called "Monkey Wrench" in this context) was believed to signal enslaved people to "gather all the tools needed on the journey to freedom" before an escape. Other patterns, like the Log Cabin and Flying Geese, were also assigned symbolic meanings related to escape routes, safe houses, and directions.
Despite the ongoing historical debate, the story of the Underground Railroad quilt code beautifully highlights the incredible ingenuity and resilience of enslaved people and their fight for freedom. It continues to inspire quilters and artists today.
What are your thoughts on the power of quilting to transform lives? And have you ever learned a quilt pattern with a fascinating history? I'd love to hear from you!
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