The Tumbling Blocks Quilt by The Cloth Parcel |
The Tumbling Blocks quilt is a timeless design celebrated for its captivating three-dimensional effect, achieved through the strategic arrangement of diamond-shaped fabric pieces. Traditionally, this pattern was assembled by hand due to its intricate Y-seams. However, modern techniques have simplified its construction, allowing quilters to piece it together using sewing machines without the need for Y-seams.
In 2006, The Cloth Parcel crafted a Tumbling Blocks quilt as a graduation gift, emphasizing masculine aesthetics by selecting geometric prints in three contrasting values, avoiding florals and pinks. They utilized a handmade 60-degree plastic template to cut the diamonds and meticulously sewed the pieces together by machine, marking each intersecting corner at 1/4" and stitching precisely to that point. This approach mirrored the technique used in machine piecing patterns like the grandmother’s flower garden.
For quilters interested in creating their own Tumbling Blocks quilt, Teresa DownUnder offers a tutorial demonstrating a straightforward method that eliminates Y-seams. This technique involves sewing strips together and cutting them into the required shapes using a 60-degree ruler or a square ruler with a 60-degree marking. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide, making this classic pattern more accessible to quilters of all skill levels.
The Tumbling Blocks quilt remains a popular choice for its visual depth and versatility. With the availability of modern geometric fabrics and improved quilting tools, creating this quilt has become more straightforward and enjoyable, allowing quilters to explore various color schemes and fabric patterns to personalize their projects.
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