Drunkards Path Quilting Template Tutorial

In this instructable, you will learn how to cut and stitch the drunkards path for blocks on your next quilt.

Supplies Needed:

2-4 Fabric colors

Rotary wheel

Cutting mat

Sewing Machine

3.5" Drunkards Path Template

7" Drunkards Path Template

Step 1: Cut the Fabric

Use the acrylic templates to cut the fabric with your rotary wheel (I used orange templates in this tutorial for higher contrast in the pictures). The straight edges are easy, the curves are tricky. If you have trouble cutting the curves with the rotatry wheel you can trace the curve with a pen and then cut it with the rotary wheel or sharp scissors. Be sure to mark the holes for the 1/4" seam allowance with a pen.

Step 2: Pin the Fabric Together

Find the center of the fabric and pin it. Now line up the corners and put another pin right at the corner. The fabric will start to scrunch, don't worry though, this is normal. Now put a pin in between the two pin you just added. If the fabric is bunching a little, this is fine, just make sure the bunches are some what even on either side of the middle pin. Now do the same for the other half. You should have 6 pins for a small 3.5" block.

Step 3: Sew the Pieces Together

Line up the 1/4" seam allowance on your sewing machine and stitch it up. Be sure to keep the fabric together with a stick or pin between the pins that are in place. Go slow for the first few, you will get faster with practice. For curved pieces, try to get a nice arc, slowly turning the piece after each stitch. I put my machine on the slowest setting for this.

Step 4: Iron the Block Flat

Iron the block flat by placing the seam to either side and then ironing. Some people also split the seam part so the lump is even.

Step 5: Sew the Blocks Together to Form Larger Blocks

Once you have a bunch of blocks made, turn the blocks and mix the colors and try out some different pattern and variations.

Step 6: Summary

Summary: The centers of my blocks did not line up very well because I did not pin the squares together first. In retrospect, I should have pinned them, I though I could get away without any. The templates used in this tutorial and more can be found on our blog, or on my Etsy store. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.