Cut your pieces accurately
The easiest way to cut accurate pieces
for any block is to use a die cutting
machine but if you don’t have one of
those you’ll need to use either scissors
or a rotary cutter and a template. Below
is the pattern to make a template for the
Drunkard’s Path block we’ll be using for
the table runner. Templates can be made
from template plastic or freezer paper.
Purchased acrylic templates may also
be used for the common shapes that
require curved piecing.
By pinning your fabrics, it’s easier to
“ease” the fabrics together to create even
seams. Some quilters will only use one
pin (in the center of the seam) but I
personally like to use three pins. I match
the centers of the two pieces of fabric
and put my first pin there.
Trace the pattern carefully onto your
chosen template material and then cut
on the drawn line. The little triangle in
the center of each template shape is
used to match the fabric pieces together,
so make sure that you cut that part
accurately
Go slow, use your needle down position
When you’re curved piecing you’re
looking for accuracy not speed, so take
your time. Start at one end of the seam
and if you like, you can back stitch to
secure. Sew slowly and as you round the
curve, pull the other end of the seam to
“ease” the fabrics together.
If you’re cutting the pieces by hand, be
sure to follow your pattern or template
as closely as you can to keep variations
in your pieces to a minimum.
Freezer paper templates may not last as
long as ones made from plastic template
material but since they are ironed
to the fabric, you may be able to cut
your pieces more accurately than with
templates that may slip.
Note: For the Accuquilt shapes and shapes
cut with the template I’ve provided, the
center is the place with the little triangle.
The second and third are used to line up
the two ends of both shapes.
If you have needle down function
on your machine, use it. The benefit
of using needle down is that you can
randomly pick up the foot and make
sure that everything is still lined up and
make adjustments if needed. As you
approach the middle pin pull it out.
When you get to the other end of the
seam back stitch again to secure.
When working with a rotary cutter, using
the smallest size available will make it
easier to cut around the curves. When
using scissors to cut templates, be sure
to move the template material (if it’s
ironed/stuck to the fabric) — not the
scissors — to ensure an accurate cut.
Press gently
Once your block is sewn, press it gently
and use steam if you think it is needed.
You won’t need to clip the curves, so
don’t worry about that, but press toward
the piece that was on the top and your
block should lie flat.
Handle with care
When you’re dealing with fabrics pieces
that have curves, you’ll be dealing with
some bias edges. This means that the
fabric pieces can be more easy to stretch
out of shape than fabric pieces that are
cut on the straight of grain. Be careful
when you’re handling these pieces and
be sure not to stretch fabrics to try to
make them “fit.”
Making the blocks for our table runner
For the table runner we need a total of
four Drunkard’s Path blocks. I’ve decided
to make mine so that my focus fabric
(the elephants) with be the small 1/4
circle shape and my white fabric will be
the background of the block. Follow the
directions above and the top tips for
effortless curved piecing to make your
four blocks and tomorrow we’ll start
putting everything together to make the
top of our table run