How to Make a Drunkard's Path Quilt Block

The drunkard's path is a classic curved quilting block. Although it is considered difficult to assemble, its simple curves are easy to tackle with a little planning and some patience.An advantage of blocks made up of curved pieces is that they often have fewer parts. Where many other blocks that are considered easier have sixteen pieces or more, blocks that include curves are often composed of four pieces or less. Curves can be dramatic with fewer pieces, giving a quilt movement and the illusion of dimension with fewer fabrics and less work. If you want to experiment with a dramatic quilt block that is easy to learn and almost guarantees an unusual and eye catching quilt, try the drunkard's path block.

Things You'll Need

• Drunkard's Path template
• 2 Fabrics (at least)
• 3 Pins

Instructions

Preparing The Fabric

1. Prewash all fabric before cutting it.

2. Iron and starch fabric to make the block pieces more stable.

3. Cut the fabric for the drunkard's path block carefully, using a marker with a narrow lead or chalk insert. The more precise the cut, the easier the job of assembly will be.

4. Cut straight lines on the straight of grain wherever possible.

5. Handle the bias as little as possible to avoid distorting the block.

Sewing the Drunkard's Path Block

1. Fold both template pieces in half at their concave or convex edges.

2. Line up the folds and pin the fabric right sides together on the fold marks.

3. Pin the fabric right sides together at both ends.

4. Place the fabric on the sewing surface with the convex side on top (the piece that bulges out).

5. Line up the edges of the fabric with the 1/4-inch mark on your sewing machine and sew a couple of stitches. Stop and line up the edges of the seam again. Keep doing this until you get into a rhythm of sewing. Adjust the edges, sew a few stitches, align the fabric with the 1/4-inch mark on your machine, and then repeat the process. As you align and guide the fabric you will naturally begin to follow the curve.Don't worry if it looks as if there is too much fabric to ever ease it all into the curve. The curve distorts your perception of the fabric. You will find as you approach the pin at the halfway mark that the fabric will smooth out and fit perfectly.

6. Remove the pin at the halfway mark and continue to the end.

7. Avoid distorting the end of the seam. Watch the seam feed under the presser foot to the very last stitch. The fabric will want to pivot out of alignment right at the end. Hold it in place with a stiletto, seam ripper or wooden chopstick if you have to.

8. Remove the block from the sewing machine, snip the threads and turn it over.

9. Inspect the seam for puckers or unintentional pleats.

Finishing the Block

1. Iron the seam allowance to either side of the curved seam.

2. Be consistent and always iron the seams in the same direction.

3. Square the block to its intended size.

4. Assemble blocks in rows, lining up the curves as you go.

5. Go slowly, and use care stitching the bulk at curved intersections.

Tips & Warnings

• Reducing the presser foot tension on your sewing machine will make it easier to manage curves.

• Sometimes what appears to be a pucker disappears with ironing.

• There are many layouts for the drunkard's path, so take some time playing with the overall design on your design wall.

• It's important to feed the fabric slowly and line the edges of the fabric perfectly just as they go under the presser foot. Place your left hand between the two fabric layers to help you feed the fabric evenly.