Curved Seams
 

I'm working on a Drunkard's Path quilt block, and trying very hard to do the piecing on my sewing machine. It is challenging, and I wonder if anyone has any tips or tricks to make it easier.

Here's a great video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGt4cRdJE

And another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kceRsPGtZ8

I bought the CurveMaster foot to do an apple core and a drunkard's path but there is such a learning curve to it and I have only played around with the apple core so far. I should have saved my money!

Im doing apple core. I cut small slits every sew often and pin to death. then because its easier for me i hand baste it. then go slowly straighteing it as i go. its my first so im learning! Not easy when your a newbie and visually impaired! But im getting there.

Place the concave piece on top of the convex piece. Pin at beginning, end and middle. Use an awl/stilletto to keep the fabric edges aligned. Keep moving the left side of the concave piece back to avoid puckers.

Wow they made it look so easy. i have friend on here she sews them with no pins or
anything!

It goes easier if you put the convex piece on top of the concave piece and ease in the fullness as you sew.

I also use the no pin method that is shown in auntpigglylpn's first video. Fabric placement, short stitches, tweezers.
As in the video, I use a die cutter to cut the pieces. If they are not cut accurately, you will be fighting the pieceing even more. If you don't have access to a die cutter, I would recommend the Marti Michell templates. She has designed the templates for BOTH pieces to be cut using an 'outie' curve. Much easier than trying to get your cutter into that innie. Cut curves using the small 28mm rotary cutter. I know you asked about sewing them, but if they are not cut correctly to start, they won't sew together well.

Thanks for the video link. It seems that I'm making things harder than they need to be! All of my pieces have been individually drawn and hand cut, one at a time, so no die cutting. I've debated getting the die cutter, but my daughter-in-law suggested that if I'm going to spend that much money, I'd be better off getting a Cricket, that way I can cut more than just material. I probably won't get either. Thank you all for your help.

I,too, have the CurveMaster foot and I found that my 1/4 inch with guide foot works better. I pin the end of the block and the center of the block. I don't use more than 2 or 3 pins. Put the fabric under the needle, adjust the fabric and start sewing. Sew slowly,adjusting as you go. When you get to the center of the block,lift the presser foot but keep the needle in the fabric. Put the bulk of the fabric to the back of the needle, lower the presser foot and start sewing slowly again. When you get to the end of the block, make sure the 2 fabrics match and sew off the block. A drunkard's path block is not a block that you sew through at high speed, but, it really isn't that hard to sew. Think of the sense of accomplishment you will feel when you complete one. If you have access to Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting, they have some very good advice for dealing with curves. Like I said, it really isn't hard to sew, you just have to sew slowly and adjust the bulk of the fabric to the back of the block halfway through the block. I enjoy challenges and the feeling of satisfaction I get when I finish the task I have set for myself. Don't give up! I know some people pin the block every 1/4 of an inch to keep the block where they want it, but, I didn't find that I needed to do that. Just sew slowly, adjusting as you go and you will not have any problems. Good Luck!

I used the apple core template and found it easier to do it by hand. Of course it was the size of a mug rug.

When I did more curved seams I tried with concave on top, then on bottom. It didn't make much difference. Just be consistent. I only pinned at the half way mark so both pieces lined up there. I did keep a finger between the two fabrics to be able to adjust them as I sewed. Then I used those angle pointed sewing tweezers [?] to hold the ends together when I got near the end of the sewing.

I have made three quilt tops with drunkard path pattern... they were about five inch blocks... and I used seven pins... so easy with pins... and all of them were sewed by hand,..,. before pinning just mark the quarter inch seam on each piece, fold each piece in half and press with fingers, then place the two pieces together where the marks are and pin, then pin each end... then put two pins in each place between the middle and end pin... works like a charm... and I found it much easier sewing by hand... tried using the machine but it was useless...

I just did a set of 16 using the pinless method. I found that I needed to finger press the centers, just to keep me on track. You are all correct, this is not a block that can be sewn fast, but I think I prefer it to hand piecing. (I did some of that earlier.) I think AliKat is right -- choose a method and be consistent!

I was at a drunkard's path workshop last week with Ebony Love who did this video. Everyone did a practice block before sewing on our good stuff, and I know that all the ladies around me had success right from the start. I think it is easier as she says if you have needle down and a hands free presser foot lifter (I don't!) but if you take your time it works fine. The tricky part for me is that last 3/4 inch - the tweezers really help. I tried pinning some blocks when I got home, and found that I could sew them faster, but every now and then would get a little pleat. I'm going to keep practicing without pins, but will pin when I'm really tired, haha.

I agree. Also, hold the top piece up as you sew rather than against the fabric. I had the Curvemaster foot and that is how they say to do it. I found out I didn't need the special foot...my regular presser foot works fine.

i used my glue stick...then sewed...worked great!

Sorry that foot doesn't work for you. I bought one for a DWRing and thought it was terrific. I watched the video repeatedly and made sure to hold the top fabric at the angle they showed. For me, the job went way faster using the Curvemaster.