Adding Curves & Texture: A Simple Technique to Elevate Your Quilt Blocks
Curves and texture can bring a whole new dimension to your quilting, transforming a flat block into a dynamic work of art. In this tutorial, we’ll explore a simple yet effective technique for adding gentle curves and tactile interest to your quilt blocks—no advanced equipment or intimidating methods required.
Whether you’re aiming for a soft, flowing look or a bold, sculptural effect, this process will help you create blocks with depth, movement, and personality. It’s a perfect way to elevate traditional designs or give a modern twist to your favorite patterns.
This method is a riff on the classic Cathedral Window quilt block but I'm going to use a simple flower block for the tutorial.
Fabric Requirements for This 9" Finished Curved Flower Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 6 - 3.5" squares, 1 - 2" x 3.5" rectangle, and 3 - 2" squares
- Medium/Purple: 7 - 3.5" squares
- Dark/Green: 2 - 2" squares
- Dark/Purple: 1 - 2" square
Sewing Directions:
Four-Patch Unit:
Step 1:
Using the two Dark/Green 2" squares and two of the Light/White 2" squares, sew together a Four-Patch unit as shown in the picture below.
For a detailed tutorial for making a Four Patch block using several methods check out my tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block
Three-Patch Unit:
Step 2:
Using the Dark/Purple 2" square, a Light/White 2" square and 2" x 3.5" rectangle, sew together the unit shown in the picture below.
First sew the two squares together and press the seam allowance toward the Purple fabric.
Then sew the White rectangle to the unit and press the seam allowance toward the rectangle.
Folded Units:
Step 3:
Wrong sides together, match up two opposite corners on the Light/White 3.5" squares and press to form a folded triangle patch.
Repeat for a total of six patches like the ones in the picture below.
Step 4:
Pair up a Medium/Purple 3.5" square with one of the Step 3 patches as shown in the picture below. Sew the patches together on the outside edges using a less-than-1/4" seam allowance.
Step 5:
Repeat Step 4 for a total of six Folded units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 6:
Lay out the Step 1, Step 2, and Step 5 units plus the remaining Medium/Purple 3.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 7:
Sew the units into three rows as shown below.
Step 8:
Press the seam allowances in rows 1 and 3 toward the outside of the block and row 2 toward the inside of the block as shown in the picture below.
Step 9:
Sew the three rows together.
Step 10:
Press the seam allowance toward the center of the block as shown below. Normally this is where I'd say you're done but there's more!
Adding the Curves and Texture:
Step 11:
Fold back the folded edge of the Folded units - hmmm that a lot of "fold" in one sentence. Because the folded edge is on the bias, there is a bit of stretch along the fold. I was able to make a 3/8" fold at the center and pinned the fold in place.
Step 12:
Here's a close up of the pinning.
Step 13:
Now it's time to secure that folded edge to create the curve. There are several ways to do this. Here's an example of a blanket stitch.
And here is a decorative stitch - I think it's called blind hem stitch.
This is a straight stitch sewn very close to the fold.
And of course, you can always sew it down by hand.
Step 14:
Repeat Step 13 on the rest of the Folded units. Here you can see my block with four different ways of stitching down the fold. If I were doing this for a real quilt, of course I would only use one technique! I had a little wobble issue on one of them but overall it turned out good.
Conclusion:
This is a fun way to add a bit of curve and texture to a quilt block. You can use this technique on any Half Square Triangle unit to create a completely different-looking block.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for some beginner-friendly blocks? Take a look at these blocks: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406