French braid
 

I found a French braid type quilt that I would like to try. My problem is that it seems to be all set-in seams. To me, that seems to add a lot of bulk, and would be very time consuming. Does anyone know of a simple(r) way to obtain the look, without all those seams?

I think the usual answer is to make it sort of like a log cabin, start with a triangle and then one piece to the end, then the next piece. Typically you would use strips and then cut it along the sides.

This seems to be a pretty good example, it doesn't show you making long rows and then connecting them together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9HVgvGV60

I do have a pattern for the harder/more traditional version from back when I was collecting ties. The lady who sent me it did it as hand work and the set in seams weren't an issue for her.

I’ve done many French braid quilts, it’s one of my go- to patterns. I’ve never done a set in seam....
french braid quilts are fun, even for beginners. I recommend the book ( French Braid Quilts) by Jane Hardy Miller

If you didn't have all those seams you wouldn't have a braided quilt.

Are you looking at a Broken Herringbone quilt. This video makes it rather simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMHGzRK2nEA

I've only done a few french braids and they did not have set in seams. The piecing is more like Seminole piecing where you are sewing squares and rectangles and trimming off the zig zag edges.

But if this pattern is different, set in seams really are not difficult at all, fussy yes but only at first, difficult, no. Once you have done a couple of them you will wonder why you dreaded and avoided them at all costs. I feel knowing how to do them is an invaluable tool in your quilting know how arsenal. Many patterns require them and you can't do a mitered border without knowing how to do a set in seam (aka Y seam).

The French braid quilts I've seen and made did not require set-in seams. Even if they did, I don't think that would mean extra bulk. As feline points out, they are not difficult, and not very time consuming once you get some practice.

There is a french braid quilt on this board in the tutorial section. I have made a couple of them and are fun to make. No set in seams.

Haven't made one, but the LSQ demo'd using the Binding Tool ruler as ruler for French Braid similar to ckcowl's.

Eleanor Burns has a great way of making a braid quilt. I took a class with her. Get the pattern. It comes with the tool to use and is made with 2 1/2 inch strips.

I made a French braid quilt, California king size. It had seven braids. The hardest part was getting up each time I did a seam to press it, which is why I did a piece on each braid,then pressed all seven braids before adding the next one. used a jelly roll, three of them, cut pieces eight inches, with a twelve inch triangle at the top. Fun to do, especially as the braid grows. Working on a small braid now for a sweatshirt jacket with six braids, four by one and a half inches, same method.