Conquer the Curve - my best tips for sewing curves!
When it comes to Quilting - it seems that sewing curves strikes fear into the hearts of many Quilters.
Drunkards Paths and Curved Piecing offer beautiful designs and great ways to get some more technique under your belt. Don't be afraid to give these a go - while they may be a bit intimidating, like most things in Quilting if you want to get better then knowing some helpful tips and a bit of practise will have you on the right path in no time.
So I have put together some of my best Tips to help you conquer the curve.
TIP 1 - TEMPLATE SETS
If the pattern you are using has a matching Template set, get you hands on one or find one that suits the size of your Project. These are a good investment with curved projects. They make cutting so much more accurate than tracing out and cutting the shapes individually. Along with being so much quicker as you can cut out around the Template with a Rotary Cutter.
TIP 2 - USE A SMALL ROTARY CUTTER
When cutting out your pieces, using a Small 28mm Rotary Cutter will make it much easier to angle around the curve of your Template.
TIP 3 - PLACING YOUR TEMPLATE
Curves can create a bit of wastage when cutting out. You can reduce the fabric wastage by alternating the template along your fabric strip.
TIP 4 - DON'T USE TOO MANY PINS
I have worked with many beginner sewers and the tendency for most is to put a 1000 pins (well that maybe a slight over exaggeration) along their curved pieces to sew them together. I find this takes a lot of time and isn't actually that helpful.
When working with curved pieces at about 4 or 5 inches I use ONLY 3 Pins. One in the centre, and one at either raw edge. If your Curves are about 8in then you can use 5 pins, marking the centre and 1/4in marks in the curve.
While this might look like it is not enough - this allows the fabric to do the work and the bias to make the curve for you. Most of the time when I see curves not having worked out, it is because the fabric has been over stretched and over tensioned as the curve is sewn.
TIP 5 - NEEDLE DOWN POSITION
On your sewing machine turn the "Needle Down" function on. This allows you to align and re-align your work as you sew around the curve.
TIP 6 - PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Before you start sewing on your project it is a great idea to cut out some extra curves and to practise before you begin sewing your pieces for your Quilt. It lets you get into the groove and try out a few before you jump in.
When it comes to curves - these tips will defiantly help and give you more confidence to tackle projects using them.
I'd love to hear how you go - let me know in the Comments below if you are keen to try this or go and try it out and then let me know how you went.
Happy Quilting
Jemima x x
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