Tumbling blocks, cowering corner...
 

My dad would really like the tumbling blocks pattern for his quilt but I'm severely intimidated.

Could anyone please provide me with a decent tutorial?

Thank you SO much in advance!! My dad is wanting to sew this patten for his 1st ever quilt he wants to make, but I have NO clue how to begin...

Kaye Wood has a video ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN8fJn39Mls ~ it uses strips and her 'star maker 6' ruler

Another is from Marci Baker ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWpSETMbws4 ~ From her book 'ABC 3-D Tumbling Blocks and More' plus a 60 degree (Clearview Triangle) ruler

Yep, Kaye's is the easiest. Also, at one time Alex Anderson had a single block that was on her show. I'm not sure if it is still on the DIY network or not....

Take your time, cut precise and most importantly, sew precisely, stopping 1/4" from the edge to make the Y-seams.

I found it easiest to mark a small dot where I needed to stop sewing on all my diamond units. After a while I didn't really need the dot.

Look at this tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company:

http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/eas...er-quilt-make/

Tumbling blocks are actually easy. You just have to "do th

If you buy the templates from Missouri Star, make sure you take a look at their daily deal. She also has a flat rate shipping fee of $5 so check out all the sale items. I have never bought on-line from them but have shopped in the actual store. (DH made a detour by it for me on a road trip last summer.) I'm still kicking myself for not buying those templates! And when you actually shop in her store, you can also get the daily deal. Bought a beautiful Christmas layer cake for only $19.95!

http://www.missouriquiltco.com/deal-a-day

As you can see from the above posts, your dad has a choice to use Y-seams to make the blocks, or use a simpler method that puts a seam through some of the diamonds. I think the decision on which method to use depends partly on the fabrics selected (whether the seam would show up prominently and perhaps affect the design) and partly on how comfortable he feels making Y-seams. They're not really that hard, and he would get lots of practice making them on a tumbling blocks quilt.

I had bookmarked this site to try some day. Her completed quilt shown on the last page is beautiful.
http://www.myquiltfabric.com/pdf/Tumbling_Blocks.pdf

I have the ABC 3-D book and was fortunate enough to see a live demo from Marci Baker. It's so much easier than ones I've seen before. I haven't made it yet but it's on my list for this year.

Here is a link to an easy pattern "Not Your Grandmother's Tumbling Block". http://shop.online-quilting.com/shop...&category_id=1

LOL - I think I need new glasses! You said tumbling and I got it in my head that you wrote tumbler! Oh well, ignore my previous posts!

I loved making a traditional tumbling block quilt but am not sure I would encourage someone to make this as their first quilt - perhaps one the faux patterns that looks like tumbling blocks. Good luck!

Do you like to hand stitch? If you do then I'd go to http://www.paperpieces.com and get their tumbline block paper pieces and stitch away. It's very relaxing in the evening if you are just watching tv and want to keep your hands busy. I really like to keep a hand stitching piece going so I can pick it up while traveling or sitting. This pattern does not fit the quick project catagory doing either machine or hand piecing but it sure is worth the effort by whatever method you decide upon. Happy stitching - Linda

The way these women put the blocks together, there are no Y-seams. That's what makes them unique and easy.

AWESOME!! I have been intriqued by this but was afraid it would be too complicated but NOW!! WOW!! Thanks LOL, no pattern to buy, just print and go.

I would not have him do y seams for his first quilt. We need to get him "hooked" on quilting first. Just kidding, but seriously we don't want him to get discouraged before he just gets started. Sewplease's technique looks easy and no y seams. The finished quilt is very pretty, too. Have fun teaching and learning at the same time. Teaching my DGD is one of my greatest pleasures. Show us his progress.
Sue

I think Kaye Woods tut is the easiest to do. They Y seams are not hard the way she shows it being done.

This "not your grandmother's tumbling block" is the easiest because it's strip pieced without any "Y" seams. I used this method for my second quilt with no problems.
(here's the link to my quilt, if visuals are helpful):
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ks-t51705.html