Drunkard’s path – user's Blog!

Today we are constructing the units for the Drunkard’s Path block in the Study in Scarlet quilt that I designed to go along with the read aloud podcast found here.

Last week, I showed you how to create your own templates…no purchase necessary! No need to be afraid. See that video here! This week we are going to put those templates to good use.

To watch the video that goes with the following pictures, click here. I am pinning my templates to my squares…using a generous amount of pins. Then I am going old school…using scissors to cut out the fabric!

Be careful not to cut into the paper! I cut the curves first.

I use a ruler and rotary cutter to trim the straight edges of the pieces.

There is not much waste after the pieces are all trimmed out. These scraps are destined for the fire starter bucket.

To properly align these blocks, I crease the middle of the curved pieces.

Next, I line up the creases. Time to pin…one pin!

I prefer to sew with the concave piece on top. This is my personal preference. You will have to decide the positioning of the pieces after practicing a little. Line up the straight pieces on the outside.

Using a stilleto, pin, etc., keep the pieces lined up straight. Slowly sew…carefully line up the edges up the fabric as you go. Stop as often as you need to as you go. Be careful not to create any tucks in the fabric.

And the ah-ha moment…

I found it easiest to iron or to press this block from the back. I pressed the “pie” shape flat. No need to clip the curve if you press in this manner. Next, I gave the block a good press from the front.

My templates were designed to be generous and allow for trimming to 4 1/2″. Make 16 blocks. This block finishes at 16 1/2″.

Here are two of the finished units.

Join me next week for variations on the Drunkard’s Path.

I hope you enjoy this technique! Give it a try!

Later,

Lorrie

To make the drunkard’s path block, I had a lot of inspiration. The basic block is the same. Sometimes the proportions of the pieces are just a little different.
This first book was the only book that had a suggestion of a pattern that you could trace and use, but no tips on sewing the curves.

The proportions in this book are about 1/3 to 2/3 with the pie crust or concave part being the 1/3.

This book doesn’t really have a pattern. It has a picture. What you see is what you get.

This book has fantastic pictures of blocks. All of them finish at 4 1/2 inches. I love small blocks with fiddly pieces because they look so cute when they are finished… But not today. I’m looking for a 16 1/2 inch block for the Study in Scarlet quilt. This book is great for inspiration, but not reality.

This book is filled with tons of block, layouts and suggestions… Not really patterns, but great ideas. I will use this more when I talk about alternate layouts next week.

Noticed that the proportions in this block are about half on the side.

This last book isn’t a pattern book, but it has wonderful pictures of quilts. This one calls the block robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The bottom quilt is the one that we are actually making a block like this week. I love the top quilt. It has some extra solid squares in the corners and creates a butterfly or bat pattern. I think it is absolutely a beautiful pattern. Maybe I’ll do that later on .

Now that I talk to you about different proportions, you can choose your own to create templates to make this block. My YouTube video this week is all about templates.

Watch the video here .

I have a fur baby helper in my room this weekend. This is Honey. She has been at our house for exactly one week today. She is so sweet and such a good helper she even got a new doggy bed from a cheap Walmart pillow and one of bandits recycled blankets.

She’s not sharing her toys, so I’m not letting her use my sewing machine! Have a great weekend! Enjoy sewing!

Later,

Lorrie