Not for the superstitious, as some believe piecing a Drunkard's Path quilt could lead to drink and wandering far from home!
Also called 'Solomans Puzzle', 'Wanderer in the Wilderness', 'Old Maids Dilemma', and 'Endless Trails' the Drunkard's Path quilt block with many twists and turns. It's a great block for learning to sew curves, as you'll get lots of practice.
Level: Intermediate
Size: 12 1/2" unfinished
Fabric Requirements:
In our photo we've used five different fabrics - one background and four prints for the paths.
TOOLS
To make this block you will need the usual tools - rotary cutter, mat, acrylic ruler and sewing machine. You will also require material to use for making templates. There are various types of plastic available for this purpose. Also needed are a marking pencil and pins. Cutting curves is quick work with an 18mm rotary cutter and sewing curves is easier with a tapered tailors awl.
INSTRUCTIONS
Download the template pattern. Make a template A and B. Also make an extra template A and on the curved side only cut away the ¼” seam allowance. This will be used as a guide for marking the sewing line.
Position the templates on the fabric paying attention to the grain lines. Cut the straight edges using your ruler and rotary cutter. Draw a line and cut out using scissors or an 18mm rotary cutter.
Cut 8 each of A and B from the background fabric. Cut 2 each of A and B from each of the other four fabrics.
Mark sewing lines by lining the template A (the one you created as a guide for the seam allowance) with the straight edges of the A shapes and draw the sewing line.
Clip the curved edge of template A fabrics. Make sure that you don’t cut through the marked sewing line.
Shape A (CONCAVE) goes on top of shape B (CONVEX). Find the centre of the curved edges for both shapes. Match and pin these points together.
Align the straight edge and pin the clipped edge around the curved edge of the smaller piece. I like to pin these edges together but if you are confident you can stitch without pinning. Use an awl to hold the edges together as you sew.
Press towards the corner of piece A.
Make all 16 units and square them up if need be.
Lay out following the photo as your guide.
Join into four units of four squares. Press seams open
Join these units in two and then two again to complete the block.
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