Discover the Joy of Freehand Curves

I just had the opportunity to teach a class from my newest book, Freehand Curve Quilts: Improv Techniques for Creative Play and Bold Expression, with the Annapolis Quilt Guild in Annapolis, MD. I had about 20 students in person, and I asked them at the beginning of class how many were new to cutting curves freehand without a template. About half of the hands went up.

At the end of the class, I couldn't tell which ones had raised their hands as newbies in the beginning!

I am really excited about this book. It’s a choose your own adventure deep dive into cutting curves improvisationally, without templates or rulers. Even if you've never cut a freehand curve before, even if you are intimidated with the idea of curves, this book will help you feel more confident.

We start with oversized blocks--about 2 - 3" larger than you want your finished block to be. The blocks are designed individually; there's no stacking and shuffling like I have made curved blocks before. In fact, this technique came to me because I realized there were limitations to that  method I had used in my first two books. I couldn't really control how the blocks interacted with each other. So I asked my favorite question, "What If?"

What if I worked with larger squares to make blocks that were more interesting, and what if I added other elements besides just the basic curve to the mix?

Neon Fizz, above, is an example of the stack and shuffle technique I've used in the past. These blocks are relatively small at about 6" and they are just simple curves. Any Which Way, below, is an example of the new freehand curve technique. The blocks are larger--about 14" square in this case, and there are fun elements like pieced insets, wonky triangles, and fried egg curves in addition to the basic curves.

These techniques are very flexible. You can make a large quilt, a lap quilt, or even just a table runner or pillow top to try out the options.

Spring Blooms, below, uses just three blocks to create a fun table runner. The blocks are the same height, but not the same width and that's OK! I chose to use the basic curves, two kinds of insets—plain and pieced—and wonky triangles.

One of the things I love most about these blocks is the ability to add a new set of curves in the opposite corner. That gives so many more options for putting the blocks together to create interesting lines and shapes.

In the cover quilt, 70’s Serpentine, the opposite corner curves allowed me to create a serpentine cog effect instead of circles in the composition. 

1. To make a basic block, choose 5-6 fabrics you like together. Cut squares that are 2 – 3” larger than you want the finished block to be. 

2.  Choose two fabrics and stack them right sides up on your cutting surface. It’s very important to cut the fabrics right sides up and sew them right sides together.

3. Cut a gentle upward curve through both fabrics on one lower corner, making a shape like a piece of pizza. 

4. Decide which fabric will be the corner and which will be the background. Put the extra pieces aside to use in another block. 

5. Before sewing the curves together, cut a second curve from the background fabric. It can be wide, narrow, or narrow at one end and wider at the other. Put the rest of the background square aside. 

6. Finger press the center of each curve. Match the folds and pin right sides together. It will look like they don’t fit, but they do because you cut them at the same time. Gently ease the raw edges of the top curve over the pizza shape. There will be excess “ears or tails” on either end.

7. Sew the curves together. Press towards the pizza.

8. Lay the completed unit on top of a third fabric square. 

9. Cut a curve from the third fabric using the curved edge of the completed unit as a guide. Put the extra pizza piece aside. 

10. Cut your next curve a different width or shape than the previous one. Sew to the first unit, right sides together. 

Continue until the block is the size you want it, adding another pizza curve to the opposite corner if desired. 

For the next block, use the techniques in the book to add another element—insets, wonky triangles, fried egg curves, or confetti pops. Each block will be unique. 

Enjoy!

Blog Post By Cindy Grisdela

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