Island Batik Ambassador Challenge - April 2025 Drunkards Path

What a great challenge this one! I am not only an Island Batik Ambassador, but I am also a "Sew Kind Of Wonderful" Certified Instructor. If you are not familiar with their tools, they are designed for curved piecing and that is Drunkards Path! I immediately went to my Instagram account for the board I have with all of the curved piecing designs that were on my bucket list. What better challenge than to combine two of my favorite things!!! Island Batik Fabrics and curved piecing designs.

Inspiration

I found my inspiration piece and it is a pattern call "Windswept" purchased from Amazon (link https://amzn.to/4cG3dyV ) by On Williams Street.

The hardest part for me of any project is picking the colors. There are way to many amazing fabric choices by Island Batik, so narrowing it down to the ideal ones is just a challenge for me - so let the search begin

Picking the Fabric

I ended up utilizing the stash busters again. The blocks I needed were 5" so this made the perfect place to start. I was so undecided on my colors so I auditioned multiple color ways (brights, pastels, lights, all done inthe same color just different values), and when I am usually undecided I will do two things. Take pictures in black and white to see the values better..... and also walk away for a day or two. Often I need fresh eyes to help me decide when I have been playing with fabrics for to long.

That is what I needed. After 2 days of not looking at my options I revisited my options. I decided that what drew me to this pattern was the bright bold colors and the high contrast between the white background and brights - so if that was what drew me to it (and imitation is the best form of flattery) why not use the same colors as in the pattern.

Time to get to work

The tool I used was from Sew Kind of Wonderful and it is called "Quick Curve Mini" ruler. It can also be purchased on Amazon https://amzn.to/42zp07F . They have an entire line of tools that help with curved blocks. They have one that is perfect for double wedding ring arcs, orange peels, and this one is for the drunkard path block.

For anyone that has stitched curved pieces, you understand that most techniques require you to line everything up so exact, usually includes lots of pins or even glue basting. This tool creates slightly oversized blocks that are then trimmed down to make exact squares that are very forgiving. I LOVE any tool that is forgiving and results in perfect piecing!

Now for the fun part! I get to start the stitching!

Assemble the Blocks

The components came together so easily that the block assembly is going to be a piece of cake! Everything is trimmed up and aligning everything is so easy now! I started to experience thread breaking so it was time for a new Schmetz Needle! Thank you Schmetz for making such a great product that solves so many problems.

Time to assemble the quilt

The components came together so easily that I am expecting the top to go together just as easily! It is amazing what the right tools will do to the process.

Lots of bias seams on this one with all the set in triangles, but everything is still coming together great!

Tiem for one border and then it is ready for the longarm!

Time for the Longarm

I found a design already on my longarm that I thought would play well with the curves, also looked like leaves that would complement the look for tropical flowers. Just time for some binding and then this one is on its way to the assisted living facility in Apex, NC that has become the home of many of my quilts. This one is the perfect size for the laps when in wheelchairs.

Final Thoughts!

I enjoyed this challenge the most so far! The tools are wonderful and made checking this one off of my bucket list easy. Since being introduced to these tools, I am no longer afraid of curved pieces or feel the need to use 100 pins for each curved seam.

Keep an eye out on my Youtube channel for a complete video on how to use the quick curved ruler. Kimberly's Quilts - YouTube.