Now you’re a whiz at the patchwork and quilting
essentials, take your skills up a notch and have fun
discovering some more advanced techniques...beyond the
basics
So, you have mastered the basics of
patchwork and quilting (well done you!)
and now you want to know what’s
next? The exciting truth is that there
are so many more amazing blocks,
techniques and materials out there for
you to discover (and fall in love with) – the
possibilities are endless! Practise and
As you gain confidence with cutting and
piecing you’ll be able to sew increasingly
complex shapes and patterns. Why not try
chevrons or stars? All it takes is a few
smaller patchwork pieces and you can
create intricate designs. Chevrons can be
made from Half-square Triangles arranged
in a zigzag pattern. The easiest way to sew
stars is to piece up diamonds or triangles
for patchwork magic. This starry quilt was
made by Lynne Goldsworthy for issue 53 of
Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine.then build upon the skills you have learnt
to attempt more complex blocks, try your
hand at Foundation Paper Piecing, work
curves into your projects, stitch up 3D
shapes, get creative with your quilting, or
simply lose yourself in repeats of your
best blocks. It’s totally up to you! Here
are a few ideas for you to get stuck into...SHAPE UP
It’s time to discover the secrets
of sewing curves! It’s loads of fun
once you get started, and there
are plenty of tricks that can give
you a helping hand. Use paper
templates for piecing accurate
shapes (the secret is in keeping
your seams nice and neat), and if
you’re quilting in curved lines try
stitching by hand – you’ll have
greater control of your needle
than if you use a machine. One
of our fave curved blocks is the
‘Drunkard’s Path’, a classic
design that uses a quarter-circle
segment. Start with this and
you’ll soon be working swirls and
curves into all your quilt tops.LEARNING
CURVES