CURVED PIECING

Recently I taught a class with CURVED PIECING, Drunkard's Path blocks. This was somewhat unusual for me, they are not my favorite pieced blocks. The class was on a Stitchin Heaven 5 day cruise to Bermuda and this small, simple quilt was their selection for a short cruise.

The quilt is DAZZLED by Aunt Em's Quilts:

My top, about 51" square

I often say the 3 things we can do wrong in piecing a quilt block are the CUTTING, the SEWING and/or the PRESSING.  Having the KIT with Die-Cut pieces made the CUTTING  a non-issue. For those cutting their own fabric, it was very important to make the templates accurately and use them to cut the pieces accurately.

Here is the FABRIC LAYOUT for one 12" Block. It takes two prints and one background fabric. The pattern refers to the shapes as PIE and CRUST. Select a PIE and a CRUST that are the same fabric, here that is the RED print. The other two PIE pieces are a different print, one that contrasts with the first, the LIGHT print here. The remaining two CRUST pieces are from Background fabric, gray here:

Make 4 of each of these 3 units

The SEWING is a bit unusual. It looks like these pieces can't possibly fit, but THEY DO, if the templates are accurate:

It really helps to have the CRUST shape on top of the PIE, as shown. A friend says you want the SMILE ON TOP, that's how she remembers which shape is up. Thanks, Dawn!

I start by finding the center of each shape, finger pressing that, and matching them with a pin. There is not much fabric on the outer edges of the CRUST and my pins tended to slip while sewing.

I discovered in making my sample quilt that the SEWING was much easier to accomplish when I used fabric GLUE instead of pins to hold the pieces together. Most of the students found that to be true for them too.

My favorite fabric glue is from QUILTER'S SELECT. It dries quickly and doesn't leave any permanent residue:

A little dab of glue, and I do mean LITTLE, is all it took to secure the beginning and ending edges of the unit:

You could replace the center pin with a dab of glue but I left that one pin in place

Once the 12 Drunkard's Path units are made, it takes 4 Background squares to complete the 12" block:

There are acrylic templates for a variety of sizes of Drunkard's Path blocks. Most have a bit more fabric on the edges of the CRUST shapes. They still work for this design but there will just be a little more background on the flower design--that's what I see, a flower with FULL PETALS and HALF PETALS.

The students did well. My friend Jan used the Kit fabrics but added her own light Batik background fabric to make a baby quilt for a little girl:

Here is another fabric choice by a student:

And it always helps to have a "What NOT to DO" example:

Thanks, Tia!

                                                    

Curved piecing takes more time and care than straight piecing but the results can be very exciting. Try it, you might like it!

I will have fun machine quilting my class sample top and then donate it to charitable quilts my guild sponsors. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LOTS TO DO

 As usual, I have lots to do. Last week I taught Oh My Stars! to 19 students locally. Some flew in, some drove a long distance, some were locals. It was great "practice" for me as I will be teaching this in Houston to 25 "strangers"--those not yet friends.

At my Retreat in March I taught this to 15, so this wasn't the first class presentation. Each class teaches me something, how to improve the way I present the class instruction. And for this class I wrote a 10 page "Addendum" to the pattern.

The students did great. Let's start at the end, with the "class photo":

It was especially great to have a friend come from Mobile to take the class, fellow quilt teacher Nina Clotfelter. She provided a chance to critique how class went and added helpful insights, even during class. And she made a great star:

All the students work, toward the end of the two-day, 10 hour class:

After class I made a couple "step outs" that will visually help students understand how to select and cut and sew the 5 fabrics needed for a star. I sent this to the class and they all agreed this visual will help understand the instructions: 

The next time I teach this will be in Houston. That class filled in less than 30 minutes when enrollment opened and has a Waitlist. I am teaching it at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS April 29-May 4, 2026. And a Colorado guild has selected it for a class in June 2026. I love teaching this class and hope to get a few more opportunities.

After class Nina came to my home and while in the studio looking at my completed Laurel Ridge quilt top on the design wall, she noticed "something". Oh, NO! Upon careful study we found I had turned one section completely around. And it had to be fixed, since it's still a top:

Then, as if that wasn't enough, during my LIVE broadcast a few days later, someone with a good eye found 3 more blocks turned askew. Yes, they too have to be fixed. This is going to take some time. Even "professionals" make mistakes. Big Sigh...

The next project looms. In September I am teaching on two cruises, back to back. 10 days to New England and Canada followed by 5 days to Bermuda. The quilt for the New England/Canada cruise is On the Lily Pond, my own design, and the quilt is totally finished: 

The other day I received the Kit for this project and have to "check" it. This means counting every piece to be sure they are all there and that all the needed pieces have been provided. This is going to take some time.

I love the fabrics selected and having them pre-cut will make this a breeze to sew. At least I don't have to make this top before we sail, just get Step-outs ready for teaching: 

The Bermuda class project is much smaller, since it's a 5 day cruise. And that top I do have to complete before we sail. The Kit for it came this week so it had to be checked. There was an issue with one of the required shapes so they will be recut. And I am hard at work on the sample:

Only 10 more blocks to go: 

Next up is pack for a teaching trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland with the Bayside Quilters. One lecture, a half day class and a full day class will keep me busy. Then I am taking a side trip to Philadelphia to see friends and family. That will be fun.

I hope you are busy too! 

Let's quilt.

Barbara