If piecing curved seams sounds intimidating, I totally understand. I have been piecing quilt tops for 17 years and have yet to attempt curved seams - until now!
I promise they are easier than they look. I'm sharing the tips and tricks I learned below so you can master them as well.
When Rachel from Sew Joyful Studio asked me to help test her new quilt pattern Ethereal, I knew attempting curved seams was going to be worth it!
For more details about the Ethereal Quilt pattern and the discount I'm offering on longarm quilting services, check out my blog post here. Otherwise, keep reading for some tips and tricks on curved piecing!
Make sure your cutting template is accurate
Most patterns that include curved piecing also include a cutting template for you. The template should include a small box that typically measures 1 inch in size. If you are printing your pattern from a PDF, you will want to measure the 1-inch box to be sure the template printed accurately. If not, you will need to adjust your printer settings and try again. Skipping this step could cause your curved blocks to come out larger or smaller than what you need because your templates are off.
Mark the center of your pieces
Next, you will want to mark the center of each piece. You can do this by folding the pieces in half and then marking the spot by using a Frixion heat erasable pen, hera marker, or pressing to leave a crease. Use whichever method works best for you!
Pins are your best friend
I know not everyone likes to use pins when piecing, but I found them to be a must when working with curves. I did try a couple of different glue options, but the fabric continued to shift until the glue was dry and I didn't feel like waiting.
Start by aligning the center of your orange peel with the center of your edge piece and insert a pin. Then line up each edge and pin in place as well. From here, you can add as many or as little pins that make you comfortable. I used five pins for the first few until I got a hang of it and then just used three pins. My favorite pins are the Extra Fine Magic Pins.
Reduce your stitch length
I also recommend that you reduce your stitch to at least 1.5mm, or about 17 stitches per inch. This will make the seam easier to press and stay strong during the rest of the quilt construction process and quilting.
Go slow
Slow down! If this is your first time working with curves, you'll want to slow down the stitching pace on your machine. You will need to stop frequently to adjust the fabric and make sure you are staying on your seam allowance as you maneuver around the curve. Of course, once you get the hang of them, feel free to speed it back up!
Press carefully
I also recommend pressing slow and carefully as well. Try to follow the curve of the seam and remember to press, not iron! Going too fast here can cause pleats on the curve. Press from the front and back to ensure the block is as flat as possible. There will be a little bit of bulk in the two corners of the orange peel.
Trim extra fabric
Once your block is pressed, trim off any extra fabric around the edges and make sure your block measures the final size listed in the pattern. The most accurate way to trim is lining up the 45 degree line on your ruler with the corners of the orange peel as shown in the photo below. Don't forget to leave your 1/4" seam allowance in each corner as well. A rotating cutting mat works well here!
And that's it, congratulations! Is this your first time attempting curved seams? Let me know in the comments and feel free to ask any questions.
To celebrate the release of the Ethereal pattern (and you attempting curved piecing), I'm offering 20% off edge-to-edge longarm quilting services for all Ethereal Quilt tops that come through the studio. If you're ready to have yours quilted, head over to my Book a Quilt page to get started.
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