Modern Drunkard’s Path Quilt Block – Free Pattern

Get ready to sew easy curves! This free Drunkards Path Quilt Block Pattern will get you hooked. I wanted to try a totally fun modern version of Drunkard’s Path that could be used a million different ways.

So I went to work to create a drunkard’s path unit that had the curve going all the way from one side to the other. If you sew two units together perfectly the curves can ‘kiss’ eachother at the edges. But who cares about sewing each piece perfectly? That’s not the point, I just wanted to point out what my intention was. I am not a perfect quilt piecer and I’m just fine with that.

This big modern drunkard’s path unit finishes at 6” square and is perfect for making all of the quilts and blocks on my drunkard’s path pinterest board.

Because it is such a big curve, the tricky part is not sewing the curved seam, it’s actually those little white ends at the corners. But the extra effort is worth it for such a sweet block!

The bright and adorable fabrics I used are See You Later by Maude Asbury for Blend Fabrics. I have never seen such adorable birds!

Are you ready? As I mentioned, my drunkard’s path unit finishes at 6”, so if you want to make a 12” block, just sew 4 of them together. Above are some ideas.

I sewed sixteen 6 1/2” squares together – 8 drunkard’s path units and 8 print squares to make huge flower blocks. This is the throw quilt I’m planning.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE MODERN DRUNKARDS PATH TEMPLATES

The templates include a big curved piece and a small curved piece.

Cutting:

If you are only making one drunkard’s path unit, you’ll need two 6 1/2” squares of fabric.

If you are making lots of units, cut your fabric into 6 1/2” strips.

Print the templates out at 100% (no enlarging or reducing). Cut them out along the outer lines. Both templates should fit a 6 1/2” strip or square perfectly. The inner lines are the stitching lines. If you flip the templates around you should be able to get 5 big curved pieces or 10 small ones from a 40” long strip of fabric.

Marking the fabric:

Don’t worry – no pencils or fabric pens. I marked all of my pieces with my fingernail or my iron. It’s fast and easy.

Fold each large piece in half twice like an ice cream cone and use your fingernail or an iron to crease the folds near the edge.

Do the same thing with the smaller piece, marking it into quarters.

Pinning:

Pin the fabrics right side together, matching the center folds first.

Then continue to pin at each fold mark. I also like to place pins in between the marks for a total of 9 pins in each unit.

Sewing:

Take care at the start to ensure that the small end piece lines up correctly.

After that, sewing the curved seam from pin to pin is easy.

At the other small end, use your fingernail or a stiletto tool to help the edges line up.

Tip: This block really works best when sewing a scant 1/4” seam. 

When I was sewing a whole bunch of these, I also found it easier to sew with the smaller piece on the bottom. I know that sounds crazy so I hope you try it and let me know which way is easier for you… tell us in the comments!

Press the seam gently toward the darker fabric and your beautiful curved seam is done! A spritz of starch or Best Press will help the seam lay perfectly flat.

I’ve got half of my blocks sewn for my Big Modern Bloom Quilt with Drunkard’s Path units. Wish me luck that I can finish it soon!

Good luck!