Quilt block · Curves · Intermediate
Drunkard’s Path Unit quilt block
The unit every Drunkard’s Path is made of, a square with a quarter circle two thirds as wide in one corner, to set in a quilt and turn for any of the variations.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The L-shape round it
- B1 square 6½″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
The quarter circle
- A1 square 4½″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Drunkard’s Path Unit’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The L-shape round it
- B1 square 9½″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
The quarter circle
- A1 square 6½″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Drunkard’s Path Unit’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The L-shape round it
- B1 square 12½″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
The quarter circle
- A1 square 8½″then cut with template A
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Drunkard’s Path Unit’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Match the notches
Lay a Dark A and a Background B side by side, curves facing. Notch 1 goes to notch 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3.
- Pin, the inward curve on top
Put B, the inward curve, on top, right sides together. Pin at notch 2, then the ends, then notches 1 and 3. Its edge will look too short: it isn’t.
- Sew slowly, a few stitches at a time
Sew a ¼″ seam with B on top. Every inch or so, stop with the needle down, lift the foot and ease the top edge to meet the bottom one. Don’t stretch it.
- Press toward the Dark
From the front, press the seam toward A, the outward curve, so it lies flat. The part measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Match the notches
Lay a Dark A and a Background B side by side, curves facing. Notch 1 goes to notch 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3.
- Pin, the inward curve on top
Put B, the inward curve, on top, right sides together. Pin at notch 2, then the ends, then notches 1 and 3. Its edge will look too short: it isn’t.
- Sew slowly, a few stitches at a time
Sew a ¼″ seam with B on top. Every inch or so, stop with the needle down, lift the foot and ease the top edge to meet the bottom one. Don’t stretch it.
- Press toward the Dark
From the front, press the seam toward A, the outward curve, so it lies flat. The part measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Match the notches
Lay a Dark A and a Background B side by side, curves facing. Notch 1 goes to notch 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3.
- Pin, the inward curve on top
Put B, the inward curve, on top, right sides together. Pin at notch 2, then the ends, then notches 1 and 3. Its edge will look too short: it isn’t.
- Sew slowly, a few stitches at a time
Sew a ¼″ seam with B on top. Every inch or so, stop with the needle down, lift the foot and ease the top edge to meet the bottom one. Don’t stretch it.
- Press toward the Dark
From the front, press the seam toward A, the outward curve, so it lies flat. The part measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
Its 3 × 3 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. Its curved pieces are cut from templates at any size; these are the sizes where its straight seams land on the ruler. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Not as drawn: its seams curve, and foundation piecing sews straight seams. Piece it with a rotary cutter and templates instead, as the cutting list above does.
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 2 pieces in 2 different shapes and curved seams. Take it slowly and check each piece against the list. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.