You could say that the Drunkard's Path Block is my new favorite. I've avoided sewing curves for some time but now seem to have found that I can in fact sew curves with some confidence (and better still without pinning).
I was really keen to again work with the Drunkard's Path block (using the same templates that I used to make this quilt), and my only hesitation came from having had a very sore neck/shoulder/arm from using my rotary cutter to cut around the curved templates. I did not realize that I had been holding the rotary cutter and cutting with such great intensity around the curved edges of the templates and allowing my hand/arm to follow suit - probably also with poor posture - when making the last Drunkard's Path Quilt. I wasn't able to turn my head for several days, and needed to support my head/neck to get up in the morning. Not so fun. But it seems it was muscular only and I've recovered sufficiently to try it out again.
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| Piecing quarter circles for a Drunkard's Path Block |
And so it began. The Drunkard's Path Block is essentially just a quarter circle in a square. I decided that this time I was going to piece the quarter circle, which was simple to do. I first pieced Half Square Triangle Units, trimmed these units to ensure a 90 degree angle, then placed the quarter circle template on top and cut around the curved edge with a rotary cutter. (To avoid further neck/shoulder strain I have invested in an even smaller - 18mm - rotary cutter which makes cutting around the curved edge of the template easier. The small blade really hugs the curve and requires less effort. I have also focused on maintaining a better posture when cutting, and taking short breaks to stretch and rest my arm).
I have gone for a very scrappy look for the pieces of the pie (the circles) as well as a scrappy low volume background, and overall I am very happy with how this quilt top has turned out. The circles really stand out and the blocks all came together remarkably well. Most seams match and I am even happy with the centers of my circles where 8 seams come together.
I am thinking about adding some pieced borders but haven't made any decisions yet ...
Lots of photos to share with you today which is a good outcome considering it is a horribly cold and windy day in Melbourne. Great weather for sewing, quilting and knitting though!
And of course a Happy 4th of July to all of my readers from the USA.
Thank you for stopping by,
Rita
RELEVANT LINKS:
A Piece of the Pie Quilt - The Finished Quilt
Drunkard's Path Quilt
Drunkard's Path Quilt in Progress and Sewing Curves ~ No Pins ~ Tutorial
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Your curves are just lovely. I must embrace the curve... one day... and yes, it's cold in Melbourne. I'm visiting these two weeks of school holidays and it's very chilly.
ReplyDeleteThis one is a real beauty! Do you have any tips for sewing curves without pins? I'm keen to try a drunkards path pattern but have been scared about the technical & fiddly aspects of sewing with curves - thanks for the (as ever) wonderful inspiration & the gorgeous eye candy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteWow! That's jumping in with both feet! What a great job. I shy away from curves. Great inspiration to try something new.
ReplyDeleteAh Rita, you are truly a hard core quilter. Who else would throw out their neck in the pursuit of quilting perfection? Glad to hear you've found a pain free way of cutting curves! I saw your offcuts for this on Instagram - are you thinking of doing something with them? They just seem too pretty to throw away!
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely Rita!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful quilt. I admire your skills in fabric choice and in precision sewing.
ReplyDeleteAnother adorable quilt top. Can't wait to see what you decide for a border. That low volume background will look beautiful framed in those luscious colours! I love curves. You did an incredible job of matching up those centers!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning I love it ! Love the circle in eights just to add an extra dimension !
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here:
ReplyDeleteHappy chilly day for you. Good thing you recognized your problem, and are taking care of it. As an olden RN, and orthopoedic at that. I suggest rest, heat, small amounts of nsaids with cookies and fabric shopping.
I love this new quilt top. Drunkards path is fun to do. Once you get the rhythm your pieces can turn out perfect every time.
I love your fabric choices!
looking forward to seeing the finish on this one
This is really lovely, Rita. Great work!
ReplyDeleteOoo this quilt is fantastic! I've just started to tackle curved seams myself and I really like how you used hst and turned them into the "pie piece!" If I'm brave, I may try that sometime.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat design!! Someday I'll be brave enough to try curves. It looks to me you've actually sewn 2 curves on one piece!? Is that correct?? Opposite corners?? WOW! That's quite impressive!
ReplyDeleteOh course I don't have to tell you that this looks fab...even though I just did...but I was wondering...is there a trick to how you iron all those seams for meeting in the middle?
ReplyDeleteI checked at our shop for the template and ours is smaller so I guess I'll have to order one as I love yours.
You always top that last cutest quilt design with an even cuter one!! Thanks for the viewing treat.
ReplyDeleteJust stunning , the lighter background really makes your colors pop! Love your blog keep those fabulous quilt ideas coming!
ReplyDeleteA very happy quilt!
ReplyDeleteAnd, ah, the things we learn the hard way, eh?
What a clever idea. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely! Really cute!!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletethe quilt looks great, beautiful.
Hugs Olga
Gorgeous quilt and exquisite piecing.
ReplyDeleteLove this!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch neat curves - Drunkards Path isn't easy is it? Nice and warm here in the UK - but expecting rain over the weekend. Happy 4th July to US folks!
ReplyDeletewww.thequietstitcher.com
Your quilt fabrics always make me smile and your sewing is so incredibly accurate!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Who would have thought to piece the quarter circles? Not me, that's for sure! It is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI just adore this quilt, it's just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteDo you think the plastic templates which include the center bow tie piece are available on line?
The quilt looks amazing! It looks so much like the playing piece for the game trivial pursuit to me. Good memories of playing the game with my family as a child.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteall those circle and so accurate, very nice and love the variety of fabrics used
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever use of fabrics. The low volume background really shows off the curves (and you can play spot the fabrics with the circles. A really fun quilt.
ReplyDeleteI like the contrast of fabrics. Any tips on how you join the centers of the circles?
ReplyDeletethey look like summer beach balls
ReplyDeleteI just simply love the look of all of your quilts. Every time I see a new one I say I am going to make one like it but I just don't have enough of the low volume fabrics. I need to start stashing more of those. I love the look of the stripped bindings that set your quilts off so well. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new favorite for me Rita! I really like this quilt
ReplyDeleteLove all of your work! Your blog is a happy place to visit for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post!
Your quilt looks great. I adore the low volume with scrappy brights combination. Thanks for explaining your process.
ReplyDeleteFabulous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice quilt! Love the fabric with blue scissors. :-)
ReplyDeleteI would go with a solid border, instead of pieced. The quilt is beautiful, and a pieced border will take away from focusing on the quilt. (just my thoughts on it)
Obviously, a rotating cutting mat makes this much easier to cut. But if you don't have one, improvise like I did. I placed a hand towel underneath a small cutting board, and that way I could rotate it around on the counter top as needed.
ReplyDeleteAlso from the USA: I really wish I was in Melbourne enjoying the chilly weather!!!! I detest the 90 plus heat and extreme humidity we are having. Rita, you have my deepest sympathy for your neck, shoulder, arm, upper back hurting from too much repetitive motion. Those 5 to 10 min breaks are a necessity not a luxury! The Drunkard's Path quilt does looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love your work. I need a bib after looking at those great circles.
ReplyDelete