Help please - how do you do this?
 

I want to make blocks that have some curved pieces but no templates. I want to be able to randonly make curves on some pieces and straight regular seams on others. Like a log cabin gone wrong. Sort of like in this picture. Can this be done and if so could someone tell me how to do it? I have tried but it just doesn't work. Any tips??[ATTACH=CONFIG]394058[/ATTACH]

I have a book on this (that I can't locate right now :(). Basically, you cut 2 pieces of fabric in an oversize square or rectangle of the piece you are aiming for, stack them, both right side up, cut a gentle curve with a rotary cutter, then swap the 2 fabrics, sew, and trim down to your target patch size. You get 2 patches. I'll continue to look for that book!

ETA: I can't find my copy, but this is the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Curves...s=curved+quilt

I've never done that but would like to do so. I'll be watching this thread.

[QUOTE=PaperPrincess;5849229]I have a book on this (that I can't locate right now :(). Basically, you cut 2 pieces of fabric in an oversize square or rectangle of the piece you are aiming for, stack them, both right side up, cut a gentle curve with a rotary cutter, then swap the 2 fabrics, sew, and trim down to your target patch size. You get 2 patches. I'll continue to look for that book!

ETA: I can't find my copy, but this is the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Curves...s=curved+quilt[/QUOTE

Thank you, I will try and find this book because it still just doesn't work for me. I laid 2 pieces of fabric together right sides up and then put them together and sewed but they will not lay flat. The middle puckers and forms a pleat. I am only doing a gentle curve so I must be missing something........or maybe just not too bright this morning. I am going to master this somehow. LOL

You need to put registration marks on the edges of each piece. Lay the two curves you want to sew together beside each other, back side up, and mark a line from one to the other across the cut in several places (kind of like marking notches when cutting sleeve and shoulder pieces of a blouse). When you pin the two curved pieces together to sew them, match up the marked lines. Pinning fairly close together helps, too. Curves need to be eased, even gentle ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clgWlrdSClA

Thank you everyone! Guess I need a visual to be able to figure things out. But look at this....I can do it!!!!! Yeah. [ATTACH=CONFIG]394071[/ATTACH]Maybe this video will help anyone else trying to figure this out. Hope so. I was not laying the fabrics out correctly until this lit a light bulb in my head.

Thank you all, off to start my blocks now.

There is a presser foot for curves call the Curve Master. It is available several places; here is an Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_8vbcpccewl_e

If you watch the youtube video demo it looks amazing. I bought one, but then I adopted a baby, and somehow haven't found time to test it (the foot, that is :-) . I hope you find something that works for you.

Darren

congrats... looks great

OK...now I just have to show you - I can do this. Used up some scrap pieces of fabric and this is what I got. Special thank you to PaperPrincess because you had me looking for that book and I found the video that finally made sense to me. Here it is...[ATTACH=CONFIG]394078[/ATTACH]Look at those curves!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea!!!! that looks good!!

Good job! I really like the look too! Thanks for the information~

Here's a sample of my quilt made with gentle curves. It was the first time I used them and I love the technique!

LyndaOH love your quilt. Thanks for posting the picture. These blocks are fun to do and oh the possibilities....................

When I did curves, I laid both square or rectangle pieces on top of each other and cut them together so after they are cut, you have 4 pieces to sew together. A top piece to the bottom opposite piece and vice versa. I hope this explains it.
It is not that difficult, expecially when you want to make random curves. You have endless options ahead of you. Good luck.

Congratulations. Your block looks awesome. I have curvy rulers and the Curvemaster so need to give it a try.

Isn't so satisfying to learn a new technique? Yours turned out really nice.
What is your next goal? You are on a roll now!

The curves really soften the angles and make it all look so much more interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Great looking block, I just might have to try this in a quilt..good job!

I agree piecNpat, great quilt, love the curves, thanks for sharing.

Love the blocks! This was fun and is on my to do list! Thank you for sharing.

The book I have is sewing curved seams from straight pieces, don't remember the author off the top of my head but essentially you take two pieces of fabric at least 6 inches wide and lay them right sides up on top of one another. Then you take your rotary cutter and cut gently free hand curves across the middle lengthwise. Then you put the top piece of one side to the bottom. Then you take the two pieces of the two different fabrics and sew them together but you do not use pins. You use your hands to gently bring the edges together and sew, you may only take a couple of stitches before you have to stop and pivot the fabric to meet again at the edges. If you take some scraps and play you get the hang of it pretty quick.

The other option is a pen that just came out that you use after the seam is sewn and it helps the fabric bend to the curve for pressing. I will have to look at the name of it when I get home.

Great block, Bailey! Now I am going to have to try this.

LyndaOH, Love your quilt!

Thanks so much! It won a ribbon at our regional show last year. My first. I cried when I called the hubster to tell him.