How to Make Easy Curves When Quilting with a Machine

When choosing a quilt pattern, many quilters avoid those with curves, believing them to be too difficult and challenging. Once she has learned a simple technique for sewing curves when quilting with a machine, even a novice quilter should be able to tackle a wider variety of quilting patterns with confidence and ease. Choose a beautiful quilting pattern with interesting curves and sew a quilt you will be proud to display.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quilt pattern with inside curve and outside curve
• Cotton fabric
• Sewing machine
• Cotton thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron

1. 
    

   Lay out your curved pieces. The piece with the inset curve will be called the inside curve and the piece with the outer curve to be sewn in will be called the outside curve.

2. 
    

   Make small clips into the edge of the inside curve using a scissors. The clips should be approximately 1/8-inch long and 1/4-inch apart. This will enable the curved edges to be stretched out flat.

3. 
    

   Place the two pieces together with right sides facing each other as shown in the diagram. Make sure edges are perfectly aligned and pin to secure.

4. 
    

   Pull the other straight edge of the outside curved fabric piece over to the opposite edge of the inside curved fabric piece as shown in the diagram. Make sure these edges are perfectly aligned and pin to secure. The outside curved fabric piece will seem like it doesn't fit, but don't be concerned at this time.

5. Hold the fabric pieces so that the inside curved fabric piece is on top. Stretch the clipped inside curved fabric piece so that it fits the outside curved fabric piece.

6. 
    

   Line up the raw edges of the fabric pieces and place a pin at one side edge. Stretch the fabrics, making sure they are still aligned properly, and place another pin on the other side edge.

7. 
    

   Adjust and stretch the raw edges of the fabrics to fit and place pins closely together along the entire curved edge.

8. Place the pinned fabric into the sewing machine and stitch along the curved edge 1/4-inch away from the raw edges. Sew slowly and carefully, making sure that the fabric does not pucker as you stitch.

9. 
    

   Remove the fabric from the sewing machine and press it flat with the iron.

References

• Sewing Curves