Sampler Block - Winding Ways

It has been awhile since I last posted a Sampler Block. In fact, the last one was in August, the Rose of Sharon block.  Since I am working on Winding Ways blocks for my curtain panels, it seemed a good time to incorporate this block in the sampler.

For a finished 8" Winding Ways Block, you will need:
1 dark fabric, 10"wide by width of fabric
1 lighter fabric, 10"wide by width of fabric
Thread
Accuquilt Die #55069 Winding Ways

If you don't have this die, or an accuquilt machine, you can copy and paste the 3 pattern pieces below to a word document, resize them on a copier and use them as templates.  There are also acrylic templates like these from John Flynn that you can buy for this block.  I will warn you that this block must be cut and sewn very accurately to work.  The accuquilt makes it easy.

Piece A

Piece B

Piece C

These are the fabrics I used.  

If using the accuquilt, cut 10" strips. By the way, I love my new cutting tool, the Gypsy Gripper.  It has made ruler slippage almost nonexistent for me.

You will make these blocks in sets of two, using two contrasting fabrics.  Double your fabric on the blade to cut two blocks of each color.  Send the die through the machine at a very slight angle for the best cut.

This is how much fabric I actually throw away.  I use the larger leftover pieces from the cut for my ongoing 1000 pyramids blocks, and the smaller pieces for my ongoing Chinese Coin quilt.

It is a very good idea to lay out your two blocks before you start sewing, and during the sewing process.  It is easy to get turned around on these blocks.  Trust me, I did my share of frogging (Rip-it, Rip-it) at the beginning.

Use a scant 1/4 seam with a 1/4 inch foot if you have one.  Accurate seamlines are especially important in this block.
Start with Pieces B and C 

 
Always sew  with the concave piece on top.  It will look like a "C" shape on top, as pictured below.

Pin shape B to shape C.  Use 3 pins, at the beginning, the end, and one in the middle (at the notch if you are using a die cut shape).  I found that inserting the beginning and ending pins with the heads away from the seam worked well for easy removal.  Once you have practiced sewing the curved pieces, you will find that you can just finger pin because the accuquilt die cuts the pieces so accurately.

Chain sew whenever possible.

Press seam toward shape B.  The correct pressing direction is very important in this block because some of the seams abut each other, as you will see as we go along.

Repeat for remaining BC units.

Next sew two A units together.  This is the only seam which you will press open.

Then add an A piece to one of the BC units.  Press toward the BC unit.

Add the other BC unit, and again press away from the A piece so your back will look like this. Repeat for other ABC pieces.

Add the two sewn A units to one of the ABC units.  I do use one pin in the middle for this line of stitching.

Press away from the AA unit.  You might want to give it a little press from the back first, just to get it going in the right direction.

Finally stitch the remaining ABC unit to the piece you just pressed.  As you can see, you will be sewing directly next to the previous seam line in the middle.

Press away from the AA unit as before.
TADA! Your finished block!

I love how the back looks as neat as the front.

Happy Sewing ♥