Drunkard’s Path Quilt

The March 2025 Island Batik Ambassador challenge was to create a Quilt using the “Drunkard’s Path” block.

You can find different meanings for The Drunkard’s Path block. It has a curve to the block. The block is a very old block and can be dated back to the 1800’s. It is known by several different names. These include Drunkard’s Trail, Trail of Friendship, King Tut’s Crown, Cleopatra’s puzzle, Ghost’s Walk, and many more. It is a simple block, that can create different looks, by the way the blocks are laid out together.

The fabric and batting were given to me free from Island Batik and its partners. These include Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, Oliso Iron, and Schmetz Needles. This is part of my role as a Island Batik Ambassador.

The fabric I decided on is the Flower Pot. It is a Signature collection by Kathy Engle for Jennifer Fulton of Inquiring Quilter. I used this collection in two quilts in August 2024.

I used Black background fabric, which helps this bright & Cheerful fabric stand out.

I used Electric Quilt 8 to help design the layout for these blocks. It was fun rotating the blocks around until I found a drunkard path layout. This is the layout I picked. The center is a “Sun”, which fits this fun fabric line.

I needed a total of 68 curved blocks and 12 solid blocks.

There are different ways to cut out the blocks.You can print a template, use Accuquilt cutting dies, or use a plastic template. I purchased a template for creating the blocks. I used this to cut the blocks so I could use my rotary cutter to cut the curves.

I used piece A to cut out all the colored pieces. I used piece B to cut a piece for each block (68 pieces). Cutting curves with a plastic template are easier than using a paper temple.

If you cut Piece B slightly larger than the block, you will have fabric to trim. This lets you trim the block after sewing. This way all the squares are the same size.

Each of my blocks finished at 8″ x 8″.

I cut a strip of fabric when cutting the black. This allowed me to cut two block pieces in a smaller area. This leaves a small curved piece in the center. I am sure I can find something to use these for in a later project.

This is great for chain piecing. Each block is created the same.

To match the two pieces, I folded them both in half to find the center of the piece. Then opened and folded the outside edges to the center fold to find the 1/4 sections.

You need to mark these points. I found that it was easiest to add pins on both pieces to match. This gives 5 points to match with pins.

I then matched the pins together. I pinned all of the blocks in this matter.

At first I matched all along the block, with several pins. But, as I got sewing, I didn’t need the extra pins.

Yes, I used pins. I usually use clips. However, these need to be held in place, so pins are the best option.

Gently work the fabric together as you sew a 1/4″ seam. Then Press towards the darker fabric. I used my small Oliso Iron to press the seams. This is iron is the perfect size for pressing these curved seams.

If you cut the black a little large, you can trim the block. Make sure it is 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″.

Trimmed off the excess. So a nice square block.

I started laying out the blocks on my design wall, to see how they look together.

I added the solid black squares after getting everything laid out the way I liked. I took gray scale pictures to look for the balancing of the colors.

After getting the layout the way I like, I sewed the blocks together in rows, then sewed the rows together. Make sure to press the seams down as you go.

I decided to add a 2 1/2″ border to the top.

I used Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 black Batting. When I make a black or dark quilt, I like to use the Black batting.

I love working with Aurifil Thread. I decided to use a Gray/Black variegated thread, number #4635. It’s part of the “Spider Lily” color builder set. At points on the black you will see a white thread of the design.

I quilted using my Juki Longarm, using a design I got from Quilting Pantographs, called Curly Twirly. This was the free design for April 2025. When I saw this design, I felt it was perfect design for a drunkard’s path quilt, lots of curves.