Hi my fellow quilters! I'm Shannon from
Shannon Fraser Designs popping in to talk about all things Drunkard's Path!!
Being a history buff, the Drunkard’s path block was an
interesting past to delve into!
The design is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt
but was popularized in the late 19th century by quilters in the American
colonies. This is where it gets a little interesting.
One story says that Drunkard’s path quilts were used to help
guide slaves to freedom from the Underground Railroad. Different coloured
squares would help guide their path to safety. Although this is highly debated. Another theory is that women used the design
during the Women’s Temperance Movement in the early 20th century as
a way of making their opinions known and trying to bring influence when they
couldn’t vote.
The block itself is even known by many names such a
Solomon’s Puzzle, Rocky Road to Kansas, Oregon Trail, with the most popular
being Drunkard’s Path. The latter is said to have been attributed as the design
of the block looks like a drunk person stumbling home.
Whatever the history, what we can agree on is how fun this
quilt block is to play with!
THE TRADITIONAL BLOCK
The traditional block design features one “hill” against a
solid background. Traditionally, the colours used in this quilt design were
blue or red against a white background.
Circles can be a source of stress for a lot of quilters, but
piecing the block is quite easy – you just need to take your time with it!
Materials Needed for the Traditional Drunkard’s Path Block
Drunkard’s Path ruler or self-made template
Fabric (1) large square at least 7" and (1) smaller square 5
½"
Pins
Rotary Cutter
To keep everything aligned, the key here will be accurate
cutting and piecing. Plus, pins will most definitely be your friend when
piecing the traditional block!
Here’s how to do it:
Start by cutting the “L” shape of your Drunkard’s path block
from the 7"
block.
Lay the template so it is flush with the bottom left corner.
Carefully cut along the curved edge of the template.
Set aside.
Repeat the same process with the 5 ½" square using the “pie”
template.
Fold the “L” and “pie” shapes in half finger pressing, being
careful not to pull or stretch the fabric.
Lay the “L” piece on top of the “Pie” shape lining up the folds.
Pin.
Now pin each of the corners, making sure to line up the square
edges.
Continue pinning in between these pins.
Stitch in place using a ¼" seam allowance. Take your time!
Set your seam with a hot iron, and press towards the “L” shape.
Voilà – you’ve made a Drunkard’s Path block!!
You can add as many “hills” as you want and it’s all achieved
using the above method. Once you know the technique, you can apply it to any
size Drunkard’s Path block.
LARGE DRUNKARD’S PATH BLOCK
To make a really big version, you often won’t find a template
large enough for your needs. Nothing a large plate can’t fix!
Materials Needed
Large plate
Fabric (1) 13" square and (1) 9" square
Rotary Cutter
Here’s how to do it:
Start by laying your large 13" square out on your cutting
mat. Using a large plate, align the edge of the plate along the 7 3/4"
horizontal line on my mat and 8 1/2" along the vertical line. With your
rotary cutter, cut along the edge of the plate. This creates your “L” shape.
Use the “Pie” you cut from the “L” shape as a template to cut your
“Pie” from your 9” square. Lay the square out on the cutting mat, place the “Pie”
on top and carefully cut along the edge.
Stitch together using the traditional pinning method described
above.
Square up to 12 ½".
The technique is the same no matter what size block you want to
achieve!
MODERN IMPROV BLOCK
What I particularly love about the Drunkard’s Path is
approaching it with an improv flare.
This version abandons all use of templates and rulers to
rely on your own freehand cutting style (the latter gets developed more and
more with practice).
Materials Needed for the Modern Improv Drunkard’s Path Block
Fabric
Rotary Cutter
Imagination 😉
Here’s how to do it:
I love that this approach doesn’t require many tools. There
is no precise cutting here and I forgo any pinning as well. Here’s a
video to
help show you exactly how you can use this technique too!
To make more at once, I like to stack a couple of fabric
squares on top of one another before I start cutting.
Next, using my rotary cutter, I haphazardly cut a semi
circle from one edge of the block to the other. Don’t worry if your line is
wonky or uneven – that ads to the charm, in my opinion.
Now swap the mini circles with the larger “L” shaped pieces.
Always working with the “L” shaped piece on top, line it up with the edge of
your mini circle. Take a few stitches and then gently ease the top fabric edge
along the curved edge of the bottom piece of fabric.
Go slow here.
You don’t want to pull or stretch the fabric into place, but
rather just gently place it in alignment. Take a few stitches. Stop and arrange
the fabric. Keep going until you get to the end.
Make sure the top and bottom fabric are flat, so you avoid
any puckers.
Since we’re working without templates, we haven’t accounted
for seam allowances which is why the edges won’t align (second photo below). Nothing a little
trimming can’t fix 😉
When it comes to ironing, I find it best to first set your
seam and then press away from the inner circle. I find this always helps ease
out any bumps you may have created while stitching.
GET PLAYFUL
Now that know how to piece the block, the real fun can
begin!
Here is where you need to let your imagination run free and
think outside the box.
This is a traditional block with an added “hill”. You can
add as many “hills” as you want for a very different look.
A few additional block examples I’ve made:
DRUNKARD’S PATH QUILT EXAMPLES
Here are some different interpretations of the Drunkard’s
Path block to get your creative juices flowing!
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!
Now it's your turn to create a modern take on the Drunkard's path block! Share your blocks on
Facebook or Instagram, and feel free to tag the Montreal Modern Quilt Guild and/or use the hashtags:
#mtlmqgskills or #mtlmqgskillbuilder
Happy quilting!
Shannon
