An Intoxicating Quilt: Introducing the Drunkard’s Path

Let’s Get Started

It’s unknown how the block got its original name, but some quilters joke that sewing any block with curves will drive one to drink. For that reason, a lot of people shy away from the Drunkard’s Path block, but it’s easy when you use the AccuQuilt GO!® dies. There are notches on each shape to help you align the pieces as you stitch them together, and there are two different sizes of Drunkard’s Path that coordinate together and expand your possibilities for quilt layouts.

The smaller Drunkard’s Path die (55070) cuts pieces that will form a 3-1/2" finished square. You then take four of these squares to assemble a larger unit that is 7" finished.

The larger Drunkard’s Path die (55034) is twice as big; that is, the die-cut pieces will form a 7" finished square, and four of these squares will make a 14" finished block. This larger Drunkard’s Path is really nice for making BIG quilts quickly; only 16 of these 14" blocks makes a generous lap sized quilt.

Because these sizes are multiples of each other, you can use both blocks in the same quilt. This is one quilt layout that shows one way to combine the larger and smaller Drunkard’s Path dies into the same quilt.

When cutting the Drunkard’s Path shape, you need at least two colors; alternating those colors is what gives the block its unique appearance. You can use both color variations in the same quilt, or use them in separate projects. Each layer of fabric will cut two Drunkard’s Path units; one layer of each color will yield two blocks in each color way (4 blocks total), and two layers of each color will yield four blocks of each color way (8 blocks total.)

To stitch these blocks with curves, you don’t need any special tools, feet, or pins. My favorite method to sew this block is to align the two shapes, right sides together, with the smaller shape on top and the curve on the right. Hold the smaller piece in your hand—take about 3-4 stitches to secure the pieces together—then swing the top piece to the right, holding it up above the lower piece, and stitching a 1/4" seam as you go. The pieces should just meet under the needle, and your notches should line up automatically.

From the back of the square, press the seams toward the larger piece— your unit will tend to lay a lot flatter this way. Try not to stretch the piece out of shape as you press. Once you get to this point, the curves are nicely contained inside of a square, and the rest of the quilt will go together like a normal quilt.