HOW TO SEW DRUNKARD’S PATH BLOCKS
Practise sewing curves with confidence to master the Drunkards Path block. Simply rotating your blocks can result in a range of very different designs!
CUTTING OUT YOUR PIECES
1 Each block uses two squares of fabric. Kate has used two 4½in squares, and the templates on p82. Throughout the tutorial, you can use your own templates if you have different ones at home, just cut using the recommended square size for your templates. Use the templates to cut one square into an arc (discarding the quarter circle) and the other square into a quarter circle (discarding the arc) (Figs A– B). You will notice that the pieces do not directly align. This is because they include a ¼in seam allowance.
2 Using a template will ensure that your straight edges follow the grain of the fabric – you want them to be stable. You also want the curved edge to be on the bias (diagonal of the fabric) so it has a little stretch, to help you ease it when you sew. There are lots of templates available on the market that allow you to cut out different sized circle and arc pairs.
3 Take care when handling your pieces in the following steps so you do not inadvertently stretch the edges.
MARKING YOUR PIECES
4 Fold the quarter circle in half, wrong sides together, and finger press to mark the centre. Then, fold the ends of the quarter circle to the centre crease for a total of three crease marks (Fig C). Repeat with the arc, folding the fabric right sides together (Fig D).
PINNING YOUR PIECES
5 Place the arc on top of the quarter circle, right sides together, matching up the centre creases, which should nest into each other. Secure with a pin (Fig E).
6 Align the edge of the quarter circle with the edge of the arc and secure each end with a pin. Match the
remaining crease marks and secure with a pin for a total of five pins (Fig F).
SEWING YOUR PIECES
7With the arc piece on top, slowly sew the pieces together along the curve, aligning the edges and removing the pins as you sew. Ensure the quarter circle remains flat and move the arc fabric as needed to avoid puckering. With your needle down, lift the presser foot regularly in order to manoeuvre the arc fabric (Figs G– H).
8Some people prefer to sew the curve together with the arc piece underneath. This will work, but be advised, it gives you less opportunity to check that you are not creating puckers and creases in your arc fabric.
PRESSING YOUR PIECES
9Press your pieces (Fig I). Generally, it does not matter whether you press the seams to the arc or to the quarter circle – both will work. Small creases and puckers will press out. Note that there is no need to clip the seam allowance.
10If one fabric is much darker than the other, it would be best to press towards the darker fabric. In addition, if the sections of the circle meet (like in the centre of your quilt block), you can press one seam out and one seam in so they nest together when joined (Fig J).
TAKING IT UP A LEVEL
11After practising your curved piecing for a while, you may feel brave enough to try out the method where you do not pin the pieces in advance. First, start by placing the pieces right sides together, aligning one edge (Fig L).
12With the arc piece on top, sew a couple of stitches at the edge to secure the pieces together (Fig M). Then sew along the curve, aligning the edges as you sew, working slowly and carefully. Ensure the quarter circle remains flat and gently move the arc fabric as needed in order to avoid puckering (Fig N). As you sew to the end of the curve, ensure the two straight edges align as they did at the beginning.