• Home
  • Membership
    • Learn More
    • Quilters Candy Membership Login
    • Craft 2 Career Club Login
  • Courses
    • Course Login
    • Quilt Pattern Writing Course
    • Craft To Career
    • FREE mini Pattern Writing Course
    • Quilt Pattern Templates
  • Shop
    • Quilt Patterns
    • My Book
    • Wholesale Patterns
    • Pattern Corrections
  • Blog
  • Podcast

Quilters Candy

Tutorials
/
March 14, 2023

Tips on Sewing a curved quilt

Hi there, my name is Lynett, the pattern designer and quilter behind LynsAvenue. I’m so honored to be a guest blogger for Elizabeth and share with you tips on sewing a curved quilt.

Before we begin, a little bit about me. I fell into quilting almost 10 years ago and I have never looked back since. In 2018 I started designing patterns, with my first pattern releasing in 2020. I live in Melbourne, Australia, with my husband and our 2 girls. Lastly, I work as a Social Worker during the day, currently working in the Family Violence and Child Wellbeing space.

I’m so excited to share with you some tips to sewing curves in a quilt using the versatile Quarter Circle block template. I’ve added a printable of this tutorial for you that comes with a bonus diagram that shows different ways you can lay out Quarter Circles into 9 different block layouts to achieve different design options and a Quarter Circle template. Even though this tutorial uses the Quarter Circle or drunkards path quilt block, these tips will work for most curved piecing, like a half-circle quilt block.

Quarter Circle template

Templates

  1. A curved quilt block is made up of two pieces: a concave piece (with the curve going inwards) and a convex piece (with the curve going outwards). Measure the 1″ test square on the templates to ensure templates are printed at the correct size. Print templates at a 100%, do not scale to size as this results in a small block. It’s helpful to have a sharp rotary cutter to cut your template pieces and l find the small 28mm rotary cutter the easiest to use when cutting curved pieces. Cut on the dashed line as the solid line indicates final size. Place a piece of double folded tape at the back of the templates to help them stick to the fabric when cutting.
Sewing Curves Template
Sewing Curves Fabric

Basting your template

2.     There are different ways to baste your curved pieces: using pins, glue or just go for it with no pins or glue. I like to have my concave piece on top as l find it easier to adjust and maneuver the pieces as l stitch.

Pins

If using pins, fold your pieces in half and finger press to mark their centers along the curved side. Align the edges of the two pieces at the center, right sides together and place a pin. Pin at the both ends and in-between these pins if desired.

Sewing Curves with Pins

Glue

3.     l like to use this Sewline glue stick as it’s less messy and is easy to apply however any washable glue will work. If using the liquid glue, l would recommend using one with a fine tip as it helps to apply a little bit of the glue rather than have it smudge all over the piece. You’ll want to draw a thin line along the seam allowance on the curved side. Place the concave piece on top and manipulate the pieces to stick together until you sew them in place. Press your glued pieces together.

Sewing Curves Glue

No glue or pins

Simply take your pieces to the machine and start sewing a ¼” seam allowance.

Sewing Curves with no pins or glue

4.     Piecing your circle quilt block

  • Go slow and steady when sewing curved pieces together stopping every few inches to adjust and align the edges as this helps to avoid gathers and puckers.  
  • Take care not to stretch your pieces while you sew.
  • Always have the needle in the down position (needle always left in the fabric to hold it in place) each time you stop to adjust your pieces.
  • Remember to remove pins as you get close to them.
  • A ¼ inch presser foot is a helpful handy tool to help maintain a ¼” seam allowance and use a shorter stitch length.

This blog shows you a video of sewing curves using the no pin method.

Pressing

5.     Press and not iron your curved quilt block with a dry iron using your preferred option, to the side or open.

I find it easier to press to the side. If piecing the units together to form a circle, be sure to press the blocks in opposite directions as this ensures that the seams are nesting together nicely when sewn together.

Trimming

6.     Trim your square according to your pattern instructions. For the template provided, you’ll want to square up to 6 ½”. Be sure to leave a ¼” seam allowance from the stitched line on either ends of the curve.

Trimming your curves

I hope you found these tips useful for sewing curved pieces for a quilt. Now that you have the confidence to sew curved pieces, l invite you to try some of my favorite curved patterns; Heart Posy, Ella Vista, Hook and Pop. Happy quilting!

Download the FREE template here:

quarter circle template

Website: www.lynsavenue.com

Instagram: @lynsavenue

Facebook: LynsAvenue

Pinterest: LynsAvenue

MORE BLOG POSTS LIKE THIS ONE

 

Did you enjoy this tutorial? Be sure to check out these free tutorials: 

Creating the Illusion of Curves in Quilts

How to Make the Crazy Curves Block

Easy, No Pins, No Templates Curve Piecing

0 Comments
Share

You May Also Like

June 29, 2020

The Best Beginner Quilt: ‘Better Together’

August 16, 2022

Fabric Cards

April 8, 2019

Must-Have Quilting Supplies

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
My Priorities – Shifted
Next Post
Growing A Successful Quilting Career
Hi there, I’m

Hi there, I’m

elizabeth

I am a Minnesota born girl living in Texas with my husband and 3 kids. If I could tell my 13 year old self I was a quilter, I would have laughed in disbelief.  However, a few years ago I discovered how cool quilting really is!  I want to share how cool quilting is with others.  Join me in my online modern Quilters Candy Membership, or check out my quilt patterns.  I even offer a course once a year teaching you how to write and sell your own quilt patterns. I am excited to be quilty friends!

Join the Membership

Shop Quilt Patterns

Check out the Courses

Quilting Tutorial Videos

Categories

  • Craft to Career
  • Digital Downloads
  • Patterns
  • Podcast
  • Quilt Alongs
  • Quilt Questions
  • Tutorials
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Tips on Sewing a curved quilt

    March 14, 2023
  • Perfect Point Triangles

    Perfect Points when sewing Equilateral Triangles

    March 7, 2023
  • Split Quarter Square Triangles Blog Post

    Fast and Easy Split Quarter Square Triangles

    February 28, 2023

Latest Video

Latest Video Latest Video

Subscribe to My Channel

Follow Quilters Candy on Instagram

Are you joining? QAL for #gardenharvestquilt is co Are you joining? QAL for #gardenharvestquilt is coming up, and these lovely versions are great inspiration! Click the link in my bio to join the quilt along that starts April 17th. ⁣
Makers in order of appearance:⁣
1. @magnoliaridgequilts⁣
2. and 3. @honey.spun⁣
4. @sandiego.sewn⁣ and @sleepy.southpaw 
5. @bohoquiltco⁣
6. @becca.plymale.creative
Are you joining? I can’t wait to share the grand Are you joining? I can’t wait to share the grand prize! Hint: @babylocksewing There are also some amazing fabric bundles being put together by different shops. Join the #gardenharvestqal in the link in my bio to get all the details!
I love getting updates from my past students! This I love getting updates from my past students! This update from @vogonverse was too exciting not to share. Having the courage to apply and move forward pays off! Well done Nik! 🎉🎉🎉
Free coaching? That’s right! I’m giving a free Free coaching? That’s right! I’m giving a free one month business coaching session and one free 1 hour coaching session to any 2 people! This is to celebrate 100 episodes of the @crafttocareer podcast! 🎉 To enter: leave a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts or my website for episode 100, DM me a screenshot of your review. Deadline: Wednesday at midnight. 3-22-23. Winners will be announce Friday on the podcast!
Invisible binding? That’s right! @quilterscandym Invisible binding? That’s right! @quilterscandymembership join me Monday at 10 am CST and guest @bluebeaglequilts will teach us how to face our quilts. Can’t make it? Don’t worry - this will be recorded and members can watch it later. Raise your hand if you’re excited to learn how to face your quilt! 🤚 Quilt: Sampler made with by some alumni who came to @artgalleryfabrics with me! Shirt: made with my #agfgayleloraine fabrics ❤️
The perfect curves… for your quilts! @lynsavenue The perfect curves… for your quilts! @lynsavenue gives you all the help and tips you need to get those intimidating curves to come out looking perfect every time! Visit my blog for the free tutorial.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Pattern Corrections
  • Terms And Conditions

Copyright © 2022 | Quilters Candy Site Powered by Pix & Hue.