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How to Make the Perfect Drunkard's Path BlockSewing Curves to Construct Quilt Blocks Can Be Easy
A drunkard's path quilt is a little like love. It has its ups and downs.
On the one hand, the Drinkard's Path block is made up of two-piece blocks, which is a much easier undertaking than sixteen-piece blocks would be. On the other hand, it's got a great big curve in the middle of it. How Do You Feel About the Drunkard's Path?The way you feel about curves will have a lot to do with your feelings about the drunkard's path block. The good news: if you like the look of the drunkard's path in all of its beautifully graphic permutations, is that curves are easy. They are so easy that it's hard to imagine, from sewing this block, how they got a bad reputation in the first place. The bad news is... well there really isn't any bad news. Tips on Sewing CurvesSo, let's take a minute to deal with your reluctance to sew curves. They have a bias, but that's easy to handle with some pinning and a delicate touch. They need some adjustment while sewing in order to maneuver around the curve smoothly, which is pretty easy if you take it slowly. They have a big bunch of fabric that can look intimidating when you know you have to fit it all into the bottom piece of fabric, which looks much smaller. Ah, that's the biggest part of the problem, the illusion that the fabric won't fit. More Tips on Sewing CurvesTake a deep breath and start cutting a Drunkard's Path template. Need a template? You can find one here: Drunkard's Path Block. Accuracy in cutting is important, so make sure you have had your coffee first. Now, pin the two template pieces on both ends and at the center point. It looks peculiar, but everything is going to fit just fine. Place the fabric in position with the convex (sticking out) piece on top. When you start to sew, make sure you take just two or three stitches at a time. Adjust the seams to keep them aligned as they go under the presser foot. A quarter-inch seam is the standard here. Check Your WorkDon't worry about all the top fabric; just take it a half-inch at a time. If you go slowly, you will follow the curve without thinking about it. Remember, the pieces were cut to fit together perfectly. That's what they are supposed to do. As you approach the center pin, the fabric in front of the pin will smooth out like magic. You're halfway there. All you have to do is keep following the fabric, taking it slow. The only tricky part is at the very end. Make sure you hold the end pieces to keep them aligned. They will want to twist out of alignment. Explore Creative CurvesNow that you are an expert on the Drunkard's Path block, you can try all of the amazing layouts. Like the Log Cabin block, it has a symmetry and bold appeal that can raise a drunkard's path quilt to the level of art. The renderings below will give you the idea. You don't have to stick to the old ratios either. Larger blocks and blocks with very tiny quarter circles make dramatic quilts with a touch of the unexpected. The template site has free variations for you to try. Take a new path with the Drunkard's Path block. It's fun to make, and easy too.
The copyright of the article How to Make the Perfect Drunkard's Path Block in Quilting is owned by S. Elliott. Permission to republish How to Make the Perfect Drunkard's Path Block in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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