Helix

It’s time to rethink the Drunkard’s Path block.

MATERIALS

• 5/ 8 yard gray/green tonal • 11/ 8 yards dark brown tonal • 13/4 yards very pale yellow tonal • 13/4 yards light gray/tan tonal • Backing to size • Batting to size • Thread • Template material • Basic sewing tools and supplies

CUTTING

Prepare templates for the A and B pieces using patterns given. Cut as directed on patterns. From dark brown tonal: • Cut 6 (21/4" by fabric width) binding strips. From light gray/tan tonal: • Cut 1 (59" by fabric width) strip. Subcut strip into 14 (2" x 59") strips. Set side 7 strips for D. Trim 2 strips to make 2 (2" x 47") E strips. Subcut the remaining 5 strips into 42 (2" x 61/2") C rectangles.

COMPLETING THE BLOCKS

1. Select one each A and B piece. 2. With the B piece on top and right sides together with A, match the centers and pin as shown in Figure 1. 3. Match and pin the starting corner as shown in Figure 2, leaving the other end loose. 4. Carefully sew a 1/4" seam from the pinned corner to the center point, matching curved edges as you go as shown in Figure 3.

5. Stop stitching at the center point, match the other corner and pin. Stitch from the center to the opposite corner to complete one Drunkard’s Path block referring to the block drawing. Press seam toward A. 6. Repeat steps 1–5 to complete a total of 24 each Green and Brown Drunkard’s Path blocks.

COMPLETING THE QUILT

Refer to the Assembly Diagram for construction steps. 1. Arrange and join four each Brown Drunkard’s Path and Green Drunkard’s Path blocks with seven C rectangles to make a vertical row; press. Repeat to make a total of six vertical rows, moving and turning the blocks in each row to create movement. 2. Join the rows with the D strips, beginning and ending with D, to complete the pieced center; press.

Doing genealogy research recently made me think of the double helix design of DNA.” —Gina Gempesaw

3. Sew the E strips to the top and bottom of the pieced center to complete the quilt top; press.

4. Create a quilt sandwich referring to Quilting Basics on page 102. 5. Quilt as desired. 6. Bind edges referring to Quilting Basics on page 102 to finish.